A French soldier, Master Sergeant Thibaud Breteau, dies in an accident during an operation in the Levant

An Air Force non-commissioned officer died this Monday morning, announced the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs in a press release. Master Sergeant Thibaud Breteau deployed on an air base in the Levant succumbed to his injuries after an “accident during a handling operation” on Saturday February 14, indicates the ministry.

The soldier joined the base on January 16, 2026 as part of Operation “Chammal” as assembly chief within the munitions division of the planned Levant air base. This operation is the French part of the international coalition deployed in Iraq and Syria since 2014 to fight jihadist groups in the region, notably the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

The Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, Jérôme Bellanger, bows “with deep sadness to the memory of this aviator who was the victim of an accident while carrying out his mission,” the press release added.

Engaged in areas of conflict

Aged 33, Thibaud Breteau joined the Air Force in 2013, assigned to several air bases as a mechanic. Accustomed to external operations, he was seconded for the first time to the Levant in 2017 then to Niger in 2022 and 2023 where French forces were deployed.

Promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in 2020, this single childless man had been decorated with several medals rewarding his commitment to the Sahel, the Middle East and even during Operation Sentinel.