French Army Gazelles Leave Afghanistan

French Army Gazelle helicopters have left Afghanistan as part of the drawdown of French combat units in the country.

The four helicopters operated as part of the French Helicopter Battalion (BATHELICO) out of Kabul International Airport from where they supported troops working in the Kapisa Province and Surobi District.

The Gazelles were flown out of Kabul onboard an An-124 transport aircraft on 7 October back to Istres AB in Southern France ending five years of Gazelle operations in Afghanistan.

During the deployment, the Gazelles conducted 7,000 flight hours during 5,000 missions and fired some 60 HOT guided missiles in support of ground troops or in the destruction of what are referred to as 'high-value targets' including weapons caches and vehicles.

The departure of the helicopters leaves the BATHELICO unit with just eight aircraft including EC725 Caracals and Cougar transport helicopters and a trio of Tiger attack helicopters. All French combat troops are due to have departed Afghanistan by the end of 2012.