French pilots, families integrate into base, community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --  Two French air force pilots are currently calling Moody Air Force Base, Ga., home.

Commandant Yann Malard and Capitaine Sebastian Alvarez are currently integrated with a fighter squadron and rescue squadron, respectively, as they become proficient on their particular airframes.

"The units here and in France have similar missions, but we have different tactics and techniques," said Commandant Malard, a 75th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot. "Serving with an American unit gives us the chance to see how they do things. My original aircraft, the Mirage 2000D, is similar to the A-10, but I've learned many things that I'll be able to share when I return to France."

Capitaine Alvarez, a 41st Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, is also flying something similar to his original aircraft, the SA 330 Puma.

"I only arrived at the squadron in February, so I'm still getting settled in," Capitaine Alvarez said. "We have guys (in the French air force) who do a job similar to the pararescuemen here, so there are similarities between the jobs and the ground forces we work with."

While both the commandant and the capitaine have practiced interacting with ground forces through exercises, Commandant Malard has gone beyond the simulation.

"My best memory from here is the six months I spent deployed to Afghanistan," said Commandant Malard, who arrived here in late 2009. "We spent nearly 400 hours completing 90 combat missions. All the large-scale training I completed beforehand really helped me prepare."

Besides the lessons learned on the job, both the commandant and capitaine said their current assignments have affected their lives at home, too.

"My wife Lise and I are getting quite involved with meeting neighbors and seeing things in the local area," Capitaine Alvarez said. "I'm amazed at how quickly my daughter has picked up English; it's how she speaks to her dolls now."

The commandant has had a similar experience while getting accustomed to the Valdosta, Ga., lifestyle.

"My wife Isabelle went back to France for two of the months I was deployed, but she's been here the rest of the time," Commandant Malard said. "She feels good being here and has been very welcomed. She's gotten involved with a lot of the spouses' social events, which helped her get settled in here more quickly."