The Patrouille Acrobatique de France (French Acrobatic Patrol), also known as the Patrouille de France or PAF, is the precision aerobatic demonstration team of the French Air Force. Originating in 1931, it is the world’s oldest and one of the most skilled demonstration teams. Pilots currently fly the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet. Each aircraft is painted blue-white-red, with the gun placement replaced with a smoke generator. Search lights are installed on the aircraft nose, and the viewfinder has been removed to improve visibility.The group is on a seven-week tour of the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the nation’s entry into World War I, its first visit to North America in more than 30 years. Flying nine Alpha Jets—advanced trainer and light attack jets, wearing new paint applied especially for the U.S. tour.
