Base aérienne 123 Orléans-Bricy (Commandant Charles Paoli)

Base aérienne 123 Orléans-Bricy « Commandant Charles Paoli » is a French Air Force base located approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Orléans, near Bricy in the Loiret department. It spans 736 hectares across several communes and employs around 2,800 personnel, including civilians. The base originated in 1933 as a material testing center, with its foundation dating back to 1927-1931 when it hosted the 22nd Bombardment Squadron. During World War II, it was used by the Luftwaffe and subsequently by the United States Army Air Force after August 22, 1944. The base was returned to the French Air Force in October 1945, resuming its role as a testing center. It became specialized in troop transport from 1953, supporting operations in Indochina, Algeria, and Africa, as well as more recently in Haiti and Ossetia. The base is named in tradition after Commander Charles Paoli, who commanded the Transport Group 2/62 Franche-Comté before his death in Indochina in 1951. In 1999, Commando parachutiste de l'air n°10, a special forces unit, was attached to the base. Since September 1, 2015, the 61st Transport Wing has been based here. As of 2025, the base hosts the 61st Transport Wing, including the Transport Squadron 1/61 Touraine and Transport Squadron 4/61 Béarn, both equipped with A400M Atlas aircraft, and the 62nd Transport Wing, with Transport Squadron 2/61 Franche-Comté (on A400M since 2021) and Transport Squadron 3/61 Poitou (equipped with Twin Otter, with Transall retired and C-130H moved). Other units include the Commando parachutiste de l'air n° 10 and Commando parachutiste de l'air n° 30. The base has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the A400M Atlas, including the construction of large maintenance hangars, a European pilot training center with simulators, and a new control tower, along with the renovation and strengthening of its concrete runway. The first A400M Atlas entered service at the base on August 2, 2013. The base also hosts the Operational Maintenance Group (GMCO) of the National Gendarmerie Air Forces.