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Rafale means ”Gust of Wind” or “Gust of Fire”. This aircraft is a twin-engine, canard delta wing, and a multirole fighter. With the varied payload available and electronics the Rafale is capable of carrying out any type of mission. The Rafale went into production in 2001. "Operation 'Chammal" is the name for French military operational contribution during the multinational “Operation Inherent Resolve” in Syria and Iraq in an effort to destroy ISIS (Da’esh). The French operation name is from Shamal (Chammal in French) which is a strong northwesterly wind that blows over these countries. In April 2018 five Rafale Bs from Escadron de Chasse 1/4 'Gascogne' were loaded with two SCALP EG missiles and completed strikes against Syria during the Syrian Civil War. By July 2018 Rafale Bs carried out 4,900 flight hours and 1,000 sorties. |