[France] Opération Sentinelle Maritime

[Bruno]

French Navy | Opération Sentinelle Maritime | Secret and Classified​

Objective​

To conduct continuous 24/7 maritime surveillance in French national waters (English Channel, Bay of Biscay, and Mediterranean) to detect, deter, and intercept illegal fishing, human trafficking, piracy, and hostile foreign movements.

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ORBAT​

• 8 x Breguet Atlantic (Br.1150 Atlantic 2)
  • 2 × AM.39 Exocet Anti-Ship Missiles
  • 6 × MU90 Impact Torpedoe
  • 12 × Depth Charges
  • 2 × Laser-Guided Bombs GBU-12 Paveway II
  • Avionics and Surveillence systems

3 Deployed (1 per zone: English Channel, Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean).
3 in Rotation (1 per zone, ready to swap every 12 hours).
2 in Maintenance/Reserve.

Crews​

• 12 personnel per aircraft (2 pilots, 2 navigators, 4 sensor operators, 2 tactical coordinators, 2 technicians).
• 2 dedicated crews per aircraft (e.g., Crew A1 and A2 for Aircraft A).

Operational Cycle​

12-Hour Patrol Shifts:
1 aircraft patrols per zone for 12 hours (e.g., 06:00–18:00).
1 standby aircraft per zone takes off 15–30 minutes before the end of the shift (e.g., 17:45) to meet the active aircraft in the patrol zone.

In-Air Handover:

Active and incoming aircraft meet in the patrol zone.
Crew briefing via secure radio (active threats, ongoing missions)
Active aircraft returns to base; incoming aircraft continues patrolling

Repeat Every 12 Hours: Cycle repeats for 24/7 coverage with no gaps in surveillance.

 

[Bruno]

The early morning air at Lann-Bihoué Air Base was filled with the hum of machinery and the sharp scent of jet fuel. The Breguet Atlantiques stood on the tarmac, ground crews moved while their voices cut through the noise as they completed the final preparations.

"Exocets loaded and armed, Captain!" The armament officer reported, his voice steady over the radio. The missiles hung beneath the wings of each aircraft, their lethal potential a silent promise of protection. Inside the bomb bays, MU90 Impact torpedoes and depth charges were secured, while the GBU-12 Paveway II bombs were locked in place. Fuel hoses were disconnected, and the final systems checks began. The Thales Searchmaster radar spun to life, its array scanning the horizon, while the MAD boom and Wescam MX-20 turret were powered up, their displays flickering as the crews ran through their pre-flight routines.

"All systems green, Captain. We're ready to go." the co-pilot confirmed, his fingers dancing over the instrument panel.

The engines roared to life and one by one, the Atlantique 2s began their takeoff rolls, their turboprops biting into the air as they climbed steeply into the sky above. The first aircraft, A-01, banked westward toward the English Channel. A-02 turned toward the Bay of Biscay and A-03 set its course for the Mediterranean, the sun glinting off its fuselage as it disappeared into the distance.

The radio crackled to life as the aircraft reached their designated zones. "A-01 in position over the Channel," the pilot reported, his voice calm and steady. "A-02 approaching the Bay of Biscay," came the response from the second aircraft. "A-03 entering Mediterranean airspace," the third pilot chimed in. They arrived at their stations, the vast expanse of sea stretching out beneath them, and began their mission.