Base de Mont-de-Marsan
BA118 Base Aérienne 118
(Centre d'Expériences Aériennes Militaires - CEAM)
The 50 Mirage IV-A ordered in March 1959 were all finally delivered between 1964 and 1966. They were dispersed on nine air bases, organized into three mixed squadrons of bombardment, composed each of three squadrons of bombardment and a squadron for in-flight refueling under the Strategic Air Command.
On 01 January 1951, Gascogne served in Indo-China using the B26 Invader, then it was dissolved in 1955. It was recreated in Algeria using the B26, and was again dissolved in September 1962. On 01 June 1964, the l'Escadron de bombardement [ bombardment squadron] EB 1/91 Gascogne was formed at Mount-at-Marsan, entrusted with the mission of strategic nuclear bombardment. . From June to September, all the personnel of the unit were detached with the CEAM to be trained on the Mirage IV-A. The in-flight refueling Squadron [l'Escadron de ravitaillement en vol] 4/91, created on 01 January 1964, received its first C-135F on 03 February 1964. On 01 October 1964, Squadrons 1/91 and 4/91 were declared officially operational, and a week later the first 5 minute alert was undertaken on an experimental basis. These 5 minute alert drills continued for more than two months to exercise the of reaction of the first two units. The squadron converted to the Mirage IVP equiped with the ASMP missile on 01 May 1986 [the first of three squadrons to make the conversion].
In June 1996, the Mirage IVP were retired. On 01 July 1996 the E.B 01/091 was dissolved to reappear at once under the denomination Squadron of recognition strategic [de reconnaissance stratégique ] ERS 01/091 Gascogne. The E.R.S 01/091 " Gascogne " uses the Mirage IVP to carry out collection of the information of general interest necessary to the prevention and the management of crises.
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