Having been operated by the Aeronavale (the French Navy's air component) for 20 years, the Dassault Super Etendard Modernise, or SEM, is moving into the twilight of its career. Three frontline squadrons once operated the type -11,14 and 17 Flotilles - as well as Escadrille 59S, the training unit, but only 17F, stationed at Base d'Aeronautique Navale (BAN) Landivisiau in Brittany, remains. The unit will continue flying the SEM for another two years until the type is retired in summer 2016. But despite its approaching swansong and the Rafale taking over some of its tasks, the SEM remains important: it's the Aeronavale's main platform for all-weather anti-shipping and night-time attacks.
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