Escadron de Transport Outre-Mer 68

The helicopter squadron stationed in French Guiana ensures air security during Ariane launches at the Guiana Space Centre. Its missions also include maritime surveillance against illegal fishing and smuggling, as well as public service support and humanitarian assistance throughout the region.

The origins of Escadron de Transport 68 (ET 68) “Antilles-Guyane” trace back to the post-war reorganization of French overseas aviation, notably the formation of Escadron d’Hélicoptères Outre-Mer 00.068 (EHOM 68) in January 1970. Based at Cayenne–Rochambeau in French Guiana, EHOM 68 was created to provide dedicated rotary-wing support for sovereignty missions across the French West Indies and South American territories. Initially operating light and medium helicopters such as the Alouette II, Alouette III, Fennec, and later the SA330 Puma, the unit gradually expanded its operational responsibilities. As its role evolved to include fixed-wing logistics and long-range tactical transport, the French Air Force restructured the unit to better reflect its broader mission profile. On July 1, 1994, it was officially redesignated as Escadron de Transport 68, marking its transition from a helicopter-exclusive formation into a versatile transport squadron operating a mixed fleet that included CASA CN-235 aircraft alongside its rotary-wing assets.

On August 11, 2025, the first two H225M Caracal helicopters arrived at Cayenne–Félix Éboué Airport aboard an Antonov An-124 transport aircraft. A third aircraft was delivered to the squadron on January 17, 2026, transported by an Airbus A400M Atlas.