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.
- NOV 122026 Event UH-60 Black Hawk · Crash · Samanköy, Yeşilyurt, Malatya, Turkey
- NOV 122026 Incident Russian Geran-2 jet drone explodes against a concrete pillar near Antonești · Strike · European Airspace Violations
- NOV 112026 Incident Drone from Belarus crosses Lithuania into Latvia and Estonia as NATO fighters fail to down it · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
- NOV 112026 Incident Two Russian Banderol cruise missiles cross south-eastern Moldova and Transnistria during strikes on Ukraine · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
- NOV 102026 Incident Two drones briefly cross Latvia's eastern border into Ludza Municipality · Incursion · European Airspace Violations
Facility Details
44.9216°N, 4.9699°E · 160 m elevation
| 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