Foch (R 99) was the second of the
French Navy. She was the second warship named in honour of Marshal
Ferdinand Foch, after a
heavy cruiser commissioned in 1932, and scuttled in
Toulon on 27 November 1942.
After a 37-year career in the French Navy, on 15 November 2000, she was sold to the
Brazilian Navy, and renamed . In the
French Navy, she was succeeded by the
Charles de Gaulle (R 91).
Combat History
In 1977
F-8 Crusaders from 14.F squadron on the
Foch participated in the Saphir missions over Djibouti. On 7 May 1977, two Crusaders went separately on patrol against supposedly French Air Force (4/11 Jura squadron)
F-100 Super Sabres stationed at Djibouti. The leader intercepted two fighters and engaged a dogfight (supposed to be a training exercise), but quickly called his wingman for help as he had actually engaged two Yemeni
MiG-21 Fishbeds. The two French fighters switched their master armament to "on" but, ultimately, everyone returned to their bases. This was the only combat interception by French Crusaders.
In 1983-1984, the ship was sent to Lebanon for combat operations during the civil war with an air wing consisting of six F-8 Crusaders, fifteen Super-Etendards, three Etendard IVPs, five Br 1050 Alizés and six SA-321G Super-Frelons. She would rotate with the
Clemenceau providing constant on station air support to French peacekeepers.
In October 1984, France sent the
Foch for operation Mirmillon off the coast of Libya,in response to tension in the
Gulf of Sidra.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-8_Crusader]She was involved in Yugoslavian War between July and August 1993, February, March 1994, February, from May to July 1994 in support of UN operations.
Gallery
See also
