Valence-Chabeuil
Valence-Chabeuil (ICAO LFLU) is an active joint civil-military airfield in France, operated by the French Army Light Aviation. It has 3 runways (longest 2,100 m). Home to Groupement aéromobilité de la section technique de l'Armée de terre (GAMSTAT), flying NH90 / Caiman, SA330 Puma, SA340 Gazelle, EC665 Tiger.
- SEP 282026 Event Hurkus B · Delivered · TUSAŞ facilities, Kahramankazan, Ankara, Turkey
- SEP 272026 Incident Drone enters Romania at Ceatalchioi and vanishes from radar near Somova after ten minutes · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
- SEP 262026 Incident Unidentified aerial object crosses Moldova's Transnistrian region for two minutes · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
- SEP 262026 Incident Drone follows the Chilia branch into Romania and vanishes from radar near Pardina · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
- SEP 252026 Event C-390 · Delivered · Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil
Facility Details
| Operating Country | 🇫🇷 France |
| Location | 🇫🇷 France |
| Status | Active |
| Usage | Dual |
| Operating Organization | French Army Light Aviation |
| Units |
Groupement aéromobilité de la section technique de l'Armée de terre (GAMSTAT)
|
| Elevation | 160 m (525 ft) |
| IATA code | VAF |
| ICAO code | LFLU |
| Runways |
01/19 · 2,100 m (6,890 ft) · Asphalt01L/19R · 1,193 m (3,914 ft) · Grass01R/19L · 403 m (1,322 ft) · Grass
|
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Description
Valence-Chabeuil is a dual-use civil and military airfield located in France. The military infrastructure is operated by the French Army Light Aviation (Aviation légère de l'Armée de terre, ALAT).
The base hosts the Groupement Aéromobilité de la section technique de l'Armée de terre (GAMSTAT). As a specialized element of the ALAT, GAMSTAT serves as the aviation development and trials unit for the French Army rather than a deployable combat regiment. The unit formally reports to the Section technique de l'Armée de terre (STAT) and executes technical and operational evaluations of rotary-wing platforms and equipment. GAMSTAT also serves as the custodian of the standard for the disbanded 7th Combat Helicopter Regiment (7e RHC).
To conduct its evaluation missions, the facility supports a mixed fleet of rotary-wing aircraft. The base operates EC665 Tiger attack helicopters, including the HAD variant, and NH90 TTH Caiman tactical transport helicopters. Additionally, the installation houses legacy airframes utilized by the French Army, including Sud-Aviation Gazelles, SA.330 Pumas, and Eurocopter AS532 Cougars.
- AUG 202026 Updated Gazelle and Puma added to the GAMSTAT roster; its duplicate unit record merged
- AUG 142026 Updated Page description written
- AUG 142026 Created Page created: Valence-Chabeuil