SEPECAT Jaguar in the context of "Attack aircraft"

An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviation or naval aviation units. Typically, air forces are responsible for gaining control of the air, carrying out strategic and tactical bombing missions, and providing support to land and naval forces often in the form of aerial reconnaissance and close air support.

The term air force may also refer to a tactical air force or numbered air force, which is an operational formation either within a national air force or comprising several air components from allied nations. Air forces typically consist of a combination of fighters, bombers, helicopters, transport planes and other aircraft.

Opération Lamantin (French for manatee) was a December 1977 – July 1978 military intervention by France on the behalf of the Mauritanian government, in its war against Sahrawi guerrilla fighters of the Polisario Front, seeking independence for Western Sahara. Airstrikes were launched in the provinces with the aim of stopping separatist raids in the rail route from the iron mines in Zouérat to the coast of Nouadhibou (the Mauritania Railway), and pushing them to release French hostages. France used Jaguar combat aircraft from Dakar Airbase. The bombings targeted areas around the railway, which was constantly raided by Polisario. The mission ended with the release of the hostages and the halt of Polisario's attacks on ore cargo.

However, the disastrous performance in the war was a major reason for the Mauritanian armed forces to overthrow Moktar Ould Daddah, the President of Mauritania in July 1978 and an immediate cease-fire with the Polisario. Mauritania subsequently pulled out of Western Sahara in 1979 and mended relations with their Sahrawi neighbours and went on to recognize them in 1984.

SEPECAT (French: Société Européenne de Production de l'avion Ecole de Combat et d'Appui Tactique) was an Anglo-French aircraft manufacturer. Established in 1966, its aim was to handle the development and commercialization of the Jaguar, an attack and training aircraft. Organised as a Société Anonyme, the company was joint venture between British Aircraft Corporation and Breguet.

The Société anonyme des ateliers d'aviation Louis Breguet (French pronunciation: [sɔsjete anɔnim de‿atəlje davjasjɔ̃ lwi bʁeɡɛ]), also known as Breguet Aviation ([bʁeɡɛ avjasjɔ̃]), was a French aircraft manufacturer.

The company was set up in 1911 by the aviation pioneer Louis Charles Breguet. Breguet Aviation was extremely active during the First World War, producing numerous military aircraft, such as the pioneering metal Breguet 14 day-bomber, for the Allies. During the interwar period, the firm's aircraft set several records for non-stop crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as with the unconventional Breguet-Dorand Gyroplane Laboratoire. It was active during the Second World War, surviving the conflict and largely focusing on commercial transport aircraft during the postwar years. Its most notable military programmes during the Cold War include the Breguet 1150 Atlantic and - with British Aircraft Corporation - the SEPECAT Jaguar. During 1971, Breguet Aviation merged with Dassault to form Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation, which was subsequently rebranded as Dassault Aviation.

The Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard (Étendard is French for "battle flag", cognate to English "standard") is a French retired carrier-borne strike fighter aircraft designed and produced by the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault-Breguet. It was primarily used by the French Navy, and was also operated by Iraq (on a temporary lease) and Argentina.

The Super Étendard was developed during the 1970s after French officials decided against procuring a navalised version of the SEPECAT Jaguar. It drew heavily upon the Étendard IVM, being equipped with a more powerful engine as well as a new wing and improved avionics drawn from Dassault's other aircraft. The Super Étendard performed its maiden flight in October 1974 and entered service with the French Navy in June 1978. In French service, the type saw use during several conflicts including the Kosovo war, the war in Afghanistan and the military intervention in Libya.