Airbase 125 Istres-Le tubé

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A large multi-role airbase near Istres. ICAO airport code: LFMI. Hosting operational; supporting and independent units; a large repair and several special training facilities; test facilities for DGA, Dassault Aviation, SNECMA, Thales and some aeronautical naval units. 5000+ personnel working on base! USAF units use the base frequently; during Allied operations engaging USAF and FAF. During Operation Allied Force, USAF KC-135s and U-2s operated from Istres airbase. Istres was the homebase of U-2 detachment OL-FR (Operating Location-FRance) before it was transferred to Sicily.

Units:
- Special equipment maintenance sqn (ESTS)
- AD missile sqn 1/950 'Crau'.
- Mil. Airlift Coord.Center
- Southern Mil.Airtraffic Control

Support:
- CBRN school and safety detachment 1E/125
- SISCOM sqn
- Birdhit prevention unit
- Gendarmerie Air Brigade
- Force protection; Escadron de Protection FUSilliers COmmandos de l'air responsible for base security/ground defence.
- Flightsafety and Salvage sqn
- Technical equipment maninance sqn
- Interservice Airlift Instruction Center
- Logistic support unit

Independent:
- ASMP-A developing and certifying unit
- DAMS 11/.004 (Special Ammunition Storage) currently subject to complete renovation.
- Rafale test and certifying unit
- Inflight refuelling developing and certifying unit
- 25th air engineer regiment, a technical base repair unit.
- Interservice fueldepot

Base 125 web: www.ba125.air.defense.gouv.fr/
French Wikipediapage: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_aérienne_125_Istres-Le_tubé