Base aérienne 188 Djibouti (Colonel Massart)

Base Aérienne 188 « Colonel Massart », located in Djibouti, is grouped with Ambouli International Airport. It represents a continuous French military aeronautical presence since 1932. The base is managed by the French Air and Space Force and operates as a dual-use airport, serving both civilian and military aviation. It participates in air policing, search and rescue missions, and coordinates international air activity alongside Djiboutian air and civil aviation authorities.

The French Air Force established its presence in Djibouti in 1932. The French Somaliland Coast squadron was formed on April 1, 1933, with Potez 25 TOE and Potez 29 aircraft. During World War II, the base was bombed by Italian forces in June 1940. After the armistice, the base supported British operations and later rallied to the Free French Forces in December 1942. The base was officially established as Base Aérienne 188 in 1948 with the construction of a hard runway and terminal at Ambouli. It gained strategic importance during the Cold War.

Following Djibouti's independence in 1977, BA 188 became an Air Detachment, maintaining a French military presence as part of the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDj). Aircraft stationed at the base have included Potez 25, Potez 29, AAC-1 Toucan, Morane-Saulnier MS500 Criquet, MD 315 Flamant, Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Sikorsky H-19, SE 3130 Alouette II, Sikorsky H-34, Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, North American F-100D Super Sabre, Nord 2501 Noratlas, Dassault Mirage IIIC, Mirage F-1C, Mirage 2000 C/D, Transall C-160, SA-330 Puma, AS 555 Fennec, Mirage-5F, and CN 235. The base currently operates with 4 Mirage 2000-5F aircraft for air superiority and conventional assault missions, and a CN235 tactical transport aircraft and three PUMA search and rescue helicopters. It is also a regional hub for operations, capable of accommodating A400M and A330 Phénix aircraft.

BA 188 ensures the surveillance and defense of Djiboutian airspace 24/7, fulfilling missions outlined in the defense cooperation treaty between France and Djibouti. It also participates in search and rescue operations, supports the functioning of Djibouti International Airport, and provides assistance in case of disasters. The base serves as a strategic and operational pivot for France in the region, offering an air support point for projecting forces in crises across the African continent, Indian Ocean, or Middle East. It has supported various operations, including Chammal in the Levant, Sangaris and Barkhane in Central and West Africa, and anti-piracy operations like Atalante. The base also hosts detachments from the French Army Light Aviation, French Navy, and Spanish forces.

The base is named after Colonel Émile Massart, who died in a Skyraider AD4 crash during a training exercise in 1968. Since May 9, 2011, BA 188 has held the flag of the 11th Fighter Wing, decorated for its actions in Indochina, Algeria, and Kuwait.