French Rafale jet fighters of the Aeronavale over South Somerset.

July 7 saw the annual Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton International Air Day in Somerset.  The evening before, as I was about to watch the World Cup,  I heard a roar of jet engines, so dashed out into the courtyard to see what was overhead.  Approaching from the southwest was a formation of five aircraft; two were Rafale Ms of the French Aeronavale, two others I could not identify and, bringing up the rear of the formation, another Aeronavale jet in the shape of a Falcon 50M.  The five jets disappeared from view, but a short while later the two Rafales returned and spent the next twenty minutes or so circling low over South Somerset in the general area of RNAS Merryfield.  I grabbed my camera and managed to get some shots of them. 

Presumably they were rehearsing their routine for the International Air Day when, according to the organisers information, after a "thunderous formation take-off the display showcases both present day frontline naval tactics and the exceptional performance capabilities of the fast, powerful and agile Rafale M." 

French Rafale jet fighters of the Aeronavale over South Somerset on July 6th.

French Navy Rafale M jet fighter over South Somerset on the evening of July 6th.

A Rafale M of the Aeronavale over South Somerset on July 6th.