BAN Nîmes-Garons (Nîmes-Arles-Camargue Airport)

Base d'aéronautique navale (BAN) Nîmes-Garons is a former French Naval Aviation base located at Nîmes-Arles-Camargue Airport near Nîmes, Gard, inland from the Mediterranean coast. Initial land acquisition for an aerodrome began in 1939 but was halted by the 1940 armistice. German forces constructed the initial runway and facilities during World War II. Civil aviation operations began in 1947. In 1957, the creation of a NATO-standard military aerodrome was approved. The Naval Aviation Base was established in 1958 and officially inaugurated on October 24, 1961.

During its operational history, the base hosted Naval Aviation units including Flottilles 6F, 21F, 22F, and 28F. Operated aircraft included the Breguet BR 1050 Alizé, Lockheed P2V Neptune, Breguet Atlantic (ATL1), Atlantique 2 (ATL2), and Embraer Xingu. Flottille 21F conducted anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, zone security, intelligence gathering, and maritime search and rescue. The base housed the flight personnel school (École du Personnel Volant), the Naval Aviation Analysis and Instruction Center (CAI ALAVIA), and a Training and Instruction Center (CEI).

Infrastructure included north and south runway arresting cables for simulated carrier landings, which were transferred to Istres Air Base upon closure. The installation covered 240 hectares, supported approximately 1,460 military and civilian personnel, and maintained a Class 6 fire response detachment and a marine fusilier protection company.

Naval units relocated to BAN Lann-Bihoué and BAN Hyères in 2010. The BAN officially closed on July 1, 2011, and the aerodrome was transferred to the Ministry of Transport. The site transitioned to a Base de Défense. Since July 2011, the French Army's 503e régiment du train occupies a portion of the site, designated Quartier El Parras. In 2016, the Sécurité civile relocated its water bomber fleet, the Groupement des Moyens Aériens, to the installation. The site currently supports civil air transport, military logistics, and civil defense operations using fleets of Canadair and Dash aircraft.