Escadrille les Cigognes
| 01.002 Fighter Squadron "Storks" | |
|---|---|
| Escadron de Chasse 01.002 "Cigognes" | |
Squadron Emblem
|
|
| Active | May 1916 - present |
| Country |
 France
|
| Branch |
 French Air Force
|
| Garrison/HQ | Luxeuil Air Base |
| Website | Official Website (in French) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Dassault Mirage 2000-5F |
01.002 Fighter Squadron "Storks" (French language: Escadron de Chasse 01.002 "Cigognes") or EC 1/2 is a French Air Force fighter squadron currently stationed at Luxeuil Air Base (ICAO: LFSX).
It inherits the traditions of three notable World War I units: SPA 3 of the famous ace Georges Guynemer, SPA26, SPA 103 of René Fonck, and SPA 12.
Following a decision taken by the French Army General Council, in June 1912, the first flights of the French air arm were formed. One of these was established at the army camp of Avord, in Cher. Its designation, B.L. 3, arose from the aircraft type with which it was equipped, the Blériot XI. Once established, the flight moved eastward, towards Alsace. The sight of this 'migration' led to comparison with the storks which are harbingers spring in Alsace. So the name 'Cigogne' came to be associated in people's minds with B.L. 3. Alsace had been part of France until 1871 but in 1912 was part of Germany. The association therefore touched French pride.
It was not until 1916, under the pressure of the Great War in which aircraft numbers grew rapidly, that the association between the emblem and the unit became official. So that aircrews should be able to recognise other members of their own flight, in order to regroup after dispersal during fighting, the command of the Somme Combat Group, of which flight.3 was then a part, ordered that clear symbols be painted on aircraft. By this time, the flights had been grouped into squadrons. The squadron's commanding officer, Commandant Felix Brocard, chose to make reference to the Alsatian storks by using a white stork with lowered wings as the emblem on the Nieuports of no. 3 flight. He then ordered the other flights of the squadron to choose emblems using storks in other postures. The modern emblem of the squadron bears three storks at three points in the wing-beat cycle. They represent respectively Flight 3 (wings low), Flight 103 (wings high) and Flight 12 (wings spread).
...
Wikipedia