1er décembre 1783,
Jardin des Tuileries
Ascension des frères Montgolfier Musée Carnavalet, Paris
The Army Light Aviation
"Aviation
Légère
de l’Armée de Terre " (A.L.A.T.)
Background
A.L.A.T. is the body in charge
of all the aerial resources specifically belonging to the
army.
It should be recalled that a similar structure already
existed during the late 18 th century revolutionary wars
and later on during the First World War. Aerostat pilots
had the mission of going around monitoring the enemy's disposition
and movements and reporting to the headquarters. The equally
helped in guiding artillery fire.
The name A.L.A.T. came into existence in 1954. Using its
scout planes and helicopters as well as its commando transportation
and attack helicopters, A.L.A.T participated actively in
the Algerian War right up to 1962.
Hélicoptère Sikorsky HSS1 "dit le Mammouth" ou "Barlut-canon"
The support of A.L.A.T. to troops on the ground was particularly
instrumental and of capital importance to the success of
their action.
With the advent of ultra-sophisticated attack helicopters,
A.L.A.T. became very powerful and highly mobile. Consequently,
it came to play a very strategic role both in Europe and
within the framework of Overseas Operations (OPEX).
A.L.A.T. has two practice schools, one in Dax and the other
in Le Cannet des Maures. It also has a detachment for special
operations and a series of regiments of attack helicopters
(R.H.C.).
Paris, 14 juillet 2007 - Ballet d'hélicoptères de l'ALAT
au-dessus des Champs Elysées - Collection PC FNCV