Milestone
Flottille 12F reactivated as the first Rafale squadron
May 18, 2001
After French naval aviation received its first two Rafale Ms in December 2000, Flottille 12F — a former F-8 Crusader unit — was reactivated on 18 May 2001 as the first squadron on the type, immediately taking part in exercise Trident d'Or aboard the carrier Charles de Gaulle. The Rafale M was declared operational in June 2004, after almost four years of work-up.