At the gates of the city of Orléans, Air Base 123 "Commander Charles-Paoli" has been an integral part of the little Beauce region for nearly a hundred years. As a historic site of French military air transport, it is today a major platform for the Air Force, whose missions encompass the highly technological world of communications and the fascinating world of commandos and special forces. Guarantors of crew spirit, the 2,600 men and women who serve on this base share a passion for aeronautics in the service of their country's defense. After the fabulous era of the Noratlas and the Transall, then the Hercules, they are today the flagship of the famous A400M, which this new edition shines a spotlight on. Because, at Air Base 123, the focus is always on mission success and gives wings to these adopted Orléanais loyal to their Loire homeland.

Jean-François Déplanche