RAF Valley hosted some rare visitors recently, when a pair of Mirage F1 CR aircraft from Mont de Marsan Air Base in South West France visited the Anglesey base.

The French aircraft were conducting an Overseas Training Flight, designed to expose French aircrew to UK and RAF air traffic control procedures and airspace.

The visit marked the last scheduled visit of the Mirage F1 CR to the United Kingdom as the type is due to be retired by the Armée de l’Air later this year. The Mirage F1 CR is the reconnaissance variant of the iconic French fighter, and carries an array of cameras, ground-mapping radars and other sensors.

Wing Commander Dan Beard, Officer Commanding IV(R) Sqn at RAF Valley said, ‘The Mirage F1 CR has provided over 30 years of continuous service to our colleagues in the Armée de l’Air and it is appropriate that the last visit of this type to our country was marked by the Mirages being escorted through North Wales airspace by Hawk TMk2 aircraft of IV(R) Sqn.’