France Sets Up Tactical Air Force

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 12

France Sets Up Tactical Air Force

IN Z P A ■ Reuter —Copyright)

PARIS, August 5. France yesterday formally set up its own tactical air force, on the lines of those of the major North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies, to direct French air units based in France and West Germany and carry its own atomic armaments. An Armed Forces Ministry spokesman said it was “in the nature of such a force to be equipped with atomic weapons,” but declined to give any details. The force covers French air units based in France and Germany. The new force, established under a decree published today in the official journal, takes over from the tactical

air force command set up in February, 1961, to work out details of its missions. The new tactical air force, known as “Fatac,” will take its place between France’s nuclear strategic force and the Military Air Transport Command. It will consist of two subordinate air commands or “Catacs,” the first at the disposal of N.A.T.O. in Lahr, West Germany, and the second under national control inside France. It will include bombers, fighters and reconnaissance aircraft, “tactical weapons," and support and technical units. No specific mention was made in the decree of nuclear equipment or missiles for the new command.