French Air Force Flying Team Stops at Stewart Air Guard Base on June 7. Media is Invited for the Event.

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Two Alpha Jets assigned to the French Air Force's Patrouille de France conducting a maneuver. The unit will visit Stewart Air Guard Base on Sunday, June 7

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – (06/02/2026) (readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing will host the official aerobatic demonstration team of the French Air and Space Force on Sunday morning June 7, while they refuel following a transatlantic flight.

The "Patrouille de France" –the name of the team--will have a spokesman available to speak with local press as part of their "Liberte 250" mission to the United States.

WHO: Brig. Gen. Pierre Guadilleire, the commander of the Liberte 250 mission, Brig. Gen. Ryan Danneman, the commnader of the 105th Airlift Wing, and the men and women of the Patrouille de France.

WHAT: An opportunity for reporters and camera operators to view the aircraft of the Patrouille de France landing a Stewart Air National Guard Base and speak with Brig. Gen. Guadilleire about the team's mission to the United States. Eleven Alph Jets, the twin engine jet trainer flown by the aerobatics team and two A400M transports, will be flying into Stewart Air National Guard Base.

WHEN: 11 a.m., Sunday, June 7, 2026.

WHERE: Stewart Air National Guard Base, 1 Maguire Way, Newburgh, New York, 12550

RSVP REQUIREMENT: Members of the press must RSVP to the 105th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Officer at 105.AW.PA.Mailbox.Org@us.af.mil no later than noon on Friday June 5.

Media members must provide full name, date of birth and images of the front and back of your Real or Enhanced drivers license or photo ID. A standard license or ID must be accompanied by a passport or social security card image.

BACKGROUND:

The Patrouille de France

The Patrouille de France is bringing its precision flying to the United States as part of "Liberte 250", a month-long mission celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence and the alliance between France and the United States. They aerial demonstration team will be stopping at the 105th Airlift Wing for refueling as they participate in the mission, flying across the U.S.

Flying nine Alpa Jets, the Patrouille de France performs elegant formation maneuvers, dynamic opposition passes and signature smoke displays in the colors of the French flag. Their performance combines military precision, artistry and national pride in their aerial displays.

The "Liberte 250" mission honors the role France played in America's fight for independence and celebrates France as America's oldest ally.

The mission will also highlight the long aviation connection between the two nations, including the legacy of the Lafayette Escadrille, where American volunteer pilots flew under French commander before the U.S. entered WWI.

For this special anniversary mission, the Patrouille de France aircraft will feature commemorative tail markings with the American flag on one side and the French flag on the other.

During the tour, the Patrouille de France will fly over and near historic locations tied to the birth of the U.S., including Independence Hall, Yorktown and Chesapeake Bay and partake in air shows such as the Ocean City Air Dot Show on June 13 – 14, 2026.

The tour will culminate on July 4, 2026, in New York where the Patrouille de France is expected to participate in the naval and aerial parade commemorating the 250th birthday of the U.S.

105th Airlift Wing

The 105th Airlift Wing supports Domestic and Global operations with over 1,000 lethal, innovative and mission-ready Airmen.

The 105th operates nine C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift planes at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.

The 174-foot long, 55-foot high, C-17 can carry 102 troops, or 85 tons of cargo, or three helicopters or one M-1 Abrams tank.

When activated to federal service, the 105th Airlift Wing is gained by Air Mobility Command and flies cargo and transport missions worldwide.

In addition to their federal mission, the wing's Airmen respond to New York State emergencies at the direction of the governor.