The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Philippe Lavigne, and all aircrew members are saddened to announce the death of the crew of the Mirage 2000D, who have been missing since yesterday in the Jura.
He expresses his deep sorrow and offers his most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of Captain Baptiste Chirié and Lieutenant Audrey Michelon, who died whilst on an authorised flight.
Who was Captain Chirié?
A qualified fighter pilot, Captain Baptiste Chirié held the qualification of operational combat pilot. He had completed 24 combat missions and logged 940 hours of flight time.
Originally from Pau, Baptiste Chirié joined the prestigious 133rd Air Base at Nancy-Ochey (Meurthe-et-Moselle) two years ago.
He lived in Bulligny, a small town near Toul, where he was raising two daughters with his wife, who is expecting their third child.
Who was Lieutenant Michelon?
A qualified Weapons Systems Officer and Navigator, Lieutenant Audrey Michelon held the rank of Deputy Chief Navigator. She had completed 97 combat missions and logged 1,250 flying hours.
A single woman with no children, this 30-year-old from Clermont-Ferrand had been stationed at the Nancy-Ochey base for four years.
Solidarity within the Air Force
Like the Minister, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force will visit 133 Air Base in Nancy-Ochey this Friday to stand alongside the families and aircrew at the base and to express the Air Force’s full solidarity with them.
He extends his thanks to all the staff who have been involved since yesterday in the search operations for the aircraft and its crew.