Base aérienne 113 Saint-Dizier-Robinson

Base Aérienne 113 Saint-Dizier-Robinson is a military air base of the French Air and Space Force, located near Saint-Dizier in the Haute-Marne department. The site's aviation history began in August 1910 with the first aircraft landing, and an airfield, Robinson, was officially inaugurated on August 24, 1913. Military aviation took possession of the site in September 1939, hosting various fighter and reconnaissance groups until June 1940, followed by German occupation until August 1944. Significant infrastructure work commenced in 1949, leading to the official creation of Air Base 113 in 1951. In 1965, BA113 became a component of France's nuclear deterrence with the establishment of the 02.094 "Marne" bomber squadron, equipped with six Mirage IV A aircraft until 1988. The 7th Fighter Wing, the first to be equipped with the Jaguar, was stationed at Saint-Dizier in 1973, operating the aircraft until its definitive withdrawal from service on July 1, 2005. In 2006, the Rafale entered service at Saint-Dizier with the 01.007 "Provence" Fighter Squadron, the first conventional fighter unit of the Air Force to operate this aircraft. The 4th Fighter Wing was created on August 26, 2015, and all air deterrence units transitioned to the Rafale on August 29, 2018. The base supports its forces for effective training and immediate response to operational orders, contributing to the strategic functions of protection, immediate intervention, and deterrence. The base is named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. As of 2020, the base hosts the 4th Fighter Wing, composed of the Escadron de chasse 01/004 Gascogne (Rafale B), Escadron de chasse 02/004 La Fayette (Rafale B), and Escadron de transformation Rafale 03/004 Aquitaine (Rafale B and C). Support units include the Escadron de défense sol air 5/950 Barrois (SAMP/T Mamba), Escadron de Soutien Technique Aéronautique 15/4 Haute-Marne, Escadron de Sécurité Incendie et Sauvetage 1H.113, Groupe d’intervention régional NEDEX, and Escadron de protection 1/113.