Crosnier, Alain Cargos et Pirates au Combat

Hélicoptères de l'Armée de l'Air en Algérie

Algeria was the first area where medium and heavy helicopters were systematically used for transport, attack and medical missions in support of ground forces. The deployment of a number of light helicopters in the liaison squadrons stationed in North Africa was part of the 1954 plan. As it was necessary to prepare for counterinsurgency warfare, the French Air Force command decided in March 1955 to consolidate all these aircraft at the Boufarik air base and to form a first formation, the EHL 57, with ten Bell 47G-2 light helicopters on 1 April 1955. With the introduction of the first medium-weight Sikorsky S-55 helicopters, two further squadrons were formed and combined to create a mixed helicopter group, the GMH 57, which was established at Boufarik on 1 August 1955. In June 1956, with the commissioning of the heavy Sikorsky S-58 (H-34A) helicopters, a fourth squadron was formed; the GMH 57 now consisted of the EHL 1/57, the EHM 2/57 and 3/57, and the EHL 1/58. As the role of the helicopter developed very quickly in regions that were difficult for army road convoys to access, this new means of transport led to the first helicopter transport missions for commandos, while also ensuring great operational flexibility. Depending on the operations in progress, small units were formed throughout the country in the form of DIHs (helicopter task forces), consisting of three or four, sometimes even six transport helicopters (Cargo, Auroch), later supported by an H-34A (Pirate) armed with a cannon and machine guns, which provided close protection of the landing zone during helicopter transport of the commandos. Subsequently, a more flexible structure was introduced, in which the helicopters were divided into helicopter task forces (UIH) consisting of one armed helicopter and two or three cargo helicopters, as well as an H-34 cargo helicopter (Carcan) armed with a cannon, which often operated alone. The increase in the number of helicopters deployed and the expansion of their area of operation in North Africa led to a comprehensive restructuring. After much back and forth about the form of the future units (there was talk of three groupings) and their date of establishment (August, October, then November), GMH 57 was disbanded on 31 October 1956, while the next day, helicopter squadrons No. 2 and 3 were established, with EH 2 stationed in Oran-la-Sénia and EH 3 in Boufarik. The first Alouette IIs, which gradually replaced the Bell 47s of EH 3, entered service in March 1957. They replaced the Bells during the first half of the year. On 1 April 1961, these large units were renumbered 22nd and 23rd EH, with the former being transferred to Chambéry in November 1962 and the latter to Saint-Dizier in July of the same year. While the 22nd EH was about to be withdrawn, it was decided to temporarily leave a large number of light helicopters in Algeria as part of the reorganisation of the air force. Thus, in October, the 1/24 squadron was formed in La Reghaïa with Alouette II helicopters. In August 1963, EH 1/24 was integrated into GAM 87, a mixed air group that remained active until the end of April 1964.