 Complete the following phrase:  There has been a French military base here since independence, the only lapses being in 1975 and again for a couple of years beginning in 1978. After Operation Epervier started, it has been extensively used by French Air Force and Army during various operations. In 2016, Epervier is composed of about 1500 men, a dozen Mirage 2000 fighters, Puma and Caiman helicopters, and transport and tankers aircraft C-160 Transall, Boeing KC-135, C-130 Hercules Operations are undertaken over neighbouring Mali and Niger for 