A new class of flight deck specialists
On April 24, the École du personnel de pont d’envol graduated 19 sailors who will serve on Navy ships.
It was in the prestigious setting of the château de Solliès-Pont that the graduation and insignia presentation ceremony of the École du personnel de pont d'envol (EPPE) took place. The event, organized in collaboration with the municipality, marked the end of an intense training program for nineteen sailors now qualified to operate in one of the most demanding environments in the world: the flight deck of a warship. The ceremony was presided over by Vice-Admiral Éric Malbrunot, deputy chief of staff "plans" of the État-major des armées, in the presence of André Garron, mayor of the municipality, highlighting the strong bond between the military institution and the local communities.
CRITICAL MISSIONS Located on the Base aéronautique navale (BAN) d'Hyères, the EPPE is the unique training center for these specialists nicknamed the "yellow dogs", in reference to the color of their vests. Their mission is vital for the deployment of aircraft, whether it is the Rafale Marine fighter jets or shipboard helicopters.
The ceremony recognized two levels of qualification, rewarding particularly dense training paths. Four flight deck director insignia were thus presented at the end of a nine-week course. These leaders are the true conductors of the flight deck, responsible for the coordination and safety of all maneuvers.
At the same time, fifteen flight deck crew member (MOPONTVOL) diplomas were awarded after six weeks of intensive training, preparing these sailors for the technical tasks of catapulting, landing, and moving aircraft.
RITE OF PASSAGE This presentation of diplomas and insignia represents much more than a simple end of schooling. It officializes the qualification of these sailors and their readiness to join the crews of the main vessels of the French fleet.
They will soon be assigned to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle or the Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers (PHA), where their skills will be immediately put to the test. Their role is fundamental to the projection capability of the Marine nationale. In an extreme and potentially dangerous noise environment, where the slightest error can lead to dramatic consequences, their rigor, concentration, and perfect mastery of procedures guarantee the safety of pilots and the efficiency of air operations conducted from the sea.
These nineteen new specialists represent an essential succession to maintain the high level of performance of the French naval aviation forces.
Photos Alain BLANCHOT and Marine nationale.