Base aérienne 721 Rochefort (Adjudant Pierre Gémot)

Base aérienne 721 Rochefort, named « adjudant Pierre Gémot », is a French Air Force base located in the Charente-Maritime department, specifically across the communes of Soubise, Saint-Agnant, and Échillais. It is situated 8 km south of Rochefort. The base was officially opened on June 19, 1978. The site covers 230 hectares, with 140 hectares of green and wooded areas. The architecture of the base was designed by Pierre-André Dufétel.

The base shares its runway with Rochefort - Charente-Maritime Airport, allowing for both military and civilian aircraft operations. The original École des mécaniciens de l’Armée de l’air was established in Rochefort in 1931. In 1964, the École des Spécialistes des Télécommunications (BEST) from Auxerre joined the base. Following a decision in 1969 to relocate the school, local opposition led to the construction of a new site for the base and school. Construction of the new base began in 1971, and the runway was put into service on October 10, 1980, with initial dimensions of 1,900 x 30 meters. The base was formally inaugurated on the same day by the Minister of Defense.

In 1986, the base was named after Adjudant Pierre Gémot, a former student of the Rochefort school and a flight mechanic who died in service in Indochina on October 20, 1952. In September 1998, the school was renamed the École de formation des sous-officiers de l'Armée de l'air (EFSOAA). Between 2001 and 2002, the naval aeronautics training center of Rochefort was integrated into the EFSOAA. In 2003, the runway was extended to its current dimensions of 2,280 x 45 meters.

The main units currently stationed at the base are the École de formation des sous-officiers de l'Armée de l'air (EFSOAA) and the Commandement des écoles des sous-officiers et des militaires du rang de l'Armée de l’air (ESOMAA). The base employs approximately 1,600 permanent staff, including 500 instructors. The number of students and trainees can reach 2,500, with 500 coming from the French Navy. The base is a major employer in the Charente-Maritime department.