Base aérienne 105 Évreux-Fauville (Commandant Viot)
Summary
Operating Country | 🇫🇷 France |
Location | 🇫🇷 France |
Status | ◉ Active |
Usage | Military only |
Year built | 1937 |
Operating Organization | French Air and Space Force |
Units |
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Description
Base aérienne 105 Évreux-Fauville, also known as "Commandant Viot", is a French Air and Space Force base located 7 km east of Évreux in the Eure department. Since its creation, the base has hosted air transport units. The site's aviation history dates back to 1912 with a civilian aviation committee, and in 1937, the Ministry of Air opened a military pilot school there. During World War II, the Germans installed concrete runways and dispersion areas for bomber units, which were severely bombed by the Americans in 1943 and 1944. In 1952, it became a NATO air base, used by the United States Air Forces in Europe until 1967. The base was then taken over by the French military. From 1967 until 2000, it housed the GE 00.306 training group, including the officer training squadrons.
Currently, the base is home to the 64th Transport Wing, the Deployable Command and Control Air Wing, and the Mixed Air Group 56 Vaucluse, which is the air unit of the DGSE's action service. The base also hosts the Franco-German Rhein/Rhin bi-national transport wing, which will operate C130J transport aircraft from 2021. The base's proximity to Paris makes it a regular departure point for the aerial parade of July 14, and it is also where the presidential aircraft is stationed when not in use. As of 2023, the base has 2,300 personnel, including French and German military and civilians. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential for commercial low-cost flights from the base to alleviate congestion at other airports.