On May 24, 2025, after more than 13 years, we were able to attend a new open day at the Base de l’Armée de l’Air, located near Orleans, the 123 “Commander Charles Paoli” Air Base, home to the French A400Ms, and where the 61st Transport Wing is located.
Since the end of World War II, after the occupation by the Luftwaffe and the recovery by the United States, it was returned to the Armée de l’Air in October 1945, where it resumed its role as a test center and base for the transport wing of the Armée de l’Air.
The Base consists of two air transport wings, equipped since August 2, 2013, when the A400M Atlas and the C-130H Hercules entered service, which are distributed;
Wing 61;
Squadron I/61 Touraine, was equipped with the Noratlas and entered service with the C-160 Transall from November 1967 to August 2012, which with the retirement of the C-160 Transall was declared inactive, from September 2014, it was reactivated with the incorporation of the A400M Atlas and was the first squadron to complete the implementation of the A400M on September 1, 2015,
Squadron IV/61 Bearn, activated on September 9, 2021 with the A400 M, originates from Base 105 in Evreux-Fauville, from Squadron I/64 where it was equipped with the C-160 Transall NG and which was deactivated on August 25, 2017, recovering on September 9, 2021 at Base 123 in Orleans.
Wing 62;
Squadron II/61 Franche-Comté, equipped with the C-130H Hercules, C-130J and the KC-130J Super Hercules, has kept the squadron name since December 1, 1956, and has been following the history of different squadrons, with the Noratlas, from October 1956 and the C-160 Transall from July 1969. Until December 7, 1987, the first C-130 Hercules was incorporated, and on November 22, 2017 the C-130J.
Squadron III/61 Poitou, since 1953 it arrived in Orleans, is equipped with A400M and C-130H, formerly had the C-160 Transall, but it was retired on May 20, 2022. And in the summer of 2024 the C-130H was transferred to Base 105 in Evreux.
Other Units located at the Base;
- 1/340 scale transport crew training center
- 10th Air Parachute Command
- 30th Air Parachute Command
- CASV 51.566 The Air Jump Center
- Tactical transport aircraft of the EM-ATT 01.338 brand team
- EAR 279 (units of the former Châteaudun Air Base 279) (now dismantled and belonging to the municipality of Châteaudun)
- Operational Conditions Maintenance Group (GMCO) of the National Gendarmerie Air Force.
A400 M Atlas
As we have seen, the cornerstone of air transport in l’Armée de l’Air in Orleans is the A400M, this aircraft entered service on August 2, 2013, replacing in most cases the C-160 Transall, At this moment l‘Armée de l’Air has 24 units and is waiting to receive one more, we will see if more units are received in the future since the 2019-2025 military programming law set about 50 units, but it is expected that by 2030-35 it will have about 35 units.
Technical characteristics according to the Airbus data sheet.
The A440 M is certified for 3 types of missions within the Armée de l’Air;
- Tactical
- Strategic
- Replenishment.
Air Festival.
“Time4avia was accredited as press at this event, which was sponsored by the Armée de l’Air‘s Social Works Foundation (FOSA). We arrived promptly at the designated location, and after receiving our credentials, we entered the Base. There, we had the opportunity to visit one of the A400Ms stationed at the base, where a brief talk was given by Airbus Military
After a while, we were able to go to the hangar where the different professions related to the Base were, from aircraft maintenance, firefighters, mechanics, weapons, logistics, controllers… and all the professions that make the Base work at 100%.
There was no opportunity to interview any of the Base’s commanders, nor was there any access to where the authorities were watching the air show, so no statements could be obtained.
Nearly 80,000 people were able to enjoy this weekend’s aircraft display at the Orleans-Bricy Air Base. As the only air show organized by FOSA this year, 2025,
After lunch, we were able to watch from a privileged vantage point the various flight maneuvers of the aircraft present, mainly from the Armée de l’Air, except for a Spanish Air Force EF-2000 from Wing 11, the RAF parachute team, and a Swedish Saab Gripen from Sätenäs Wing.
From the Armée de l’Air, we enjoyed the Rafale Solo Display performed by Captain Jean-Brice ‘Mimouss’ Millett. The Phénix parachute team of the Armée de l’Air jumped from an A400M, followed by a YAK-3, and a combat evacuation demonstration carried out by an Airbus H225M Caracal deploying special forces. We also witnessed historic aircraft such as the Vampire, Junkers Ju-52, North American T-6, Douglas C-53D, Dassault MD-312 Flamant, Fouga Magister, and Noratlas 2501. In addition, there were displays of sport and competition aviation, including the Voltige team of the Armée de l’Air. And as expected, several flybys and maneuvers by the A400M, which served as the host aircraft, especially since the Patrouille de France was unable to perform
The most spectacular part was the various Rafale evolutions, both in the Solo Display and the simulation of two Rafales in pursuit by the Vautour Bravo patrol. We were also able to enjoy the evolutions of the PC-21s from the BA709 Cognac-Châteaubernard base. We will soon be able to see them in Spain, as the Eagle Patrol changes its display aircraft from the C-101 Aviojet to the Pilatus PC-21.
Another highlight of the airshow was the formation flyovers of various historic aircraft, including two A400Ms in fuel refueling mode, and the formation flyover of three Extra 300s, a Rafale C, and an A400M.
All in all, it was a varied spectacle of aircraft and air demonstrations, which delighted the more than 80,000 people who attended the event.
