Come and discover the rich heritage of the armies and the diversity of the missions of the airmen on the occasion of the 2023 edition of the European Heritage Days, under the theme «Living heritage».
For its exceptional openness to the general public, the pilots of Air Base 106 offer you:

• Guided tours of historical points,
• Exhibitions of aircraft of yesterday and today set up and presented by the Conservatoire de l'Air et de l'Espace d'Aquitaine (CAEA),
• Information and introductory stands (flight simulator, air soft), offered by units of air base 106,
• Fun activities,
• Goodies to be won throughout the visit,
• Musical animation proposed by the Air Force Band.
  Air Base 106 and its history:
  For more than 85 years, Air Base 106 has distinguished itself by its uniqueness, thanks to its units with a wide range of missions. Every day, 2,500 airmen, 100 army soldiers, 200 sailors, 300 civilian defence personnel and nearly 100 gendarmes contribute to its smooth functioning.
  In charge of the military aviation heritage, these nearly 3,200 people perpetuate the memory of the 106 «Captain Michel Croci» air base and its historical role. Take advantage of this moment of exchange with our soldiers on the occasion of this exceptional opening to the general public to discover the history of the BA106 and its place within the territory of Bordeaux: the beginnings of aviation in Gironde, the creation of the base in 1937, the Second World War, the air occupation of Nazi forces and the arrival of heavy bombing groups, the post-war period and its reconstruction, the history of its godfather, etc.
  Captain Michel Croci, godfather of Air Base 106
  On 25 January 1984, while on detachment in Chad, Captain Michel Croci took off at the head of a joint patrol of Jaguar and Mirage F1 aircraft to conduct an armed reconnaissance mission over hostile elements. He dies when his plane, hit by a projectile, explodes.
  The mention «death for France» was attributed by decision of the Minister of Defense and his funeral was celebrated at the Bordeaux-Mérignac air base 106, his base of assignment, on February 3, 1984.
  11 years later, the base is given the name of tradition «Captain Michel Croci».
  Meet the Jaguar, emblematic plane of Captain Croci, on display on the BA106 on the occasion of the European Heritage Days!
  An operational base:
  Air Base 106 has been commanded by Colonel Nathalie Picot since September 1, 2023.
  The BA106 is a parking site for units with a wide range of missions and is home to 43 Medoc Transport Squadron, the Military Center for Coordination and Control (CMCC), the Activity Support Group, the Air Force Band (AFM), the Air Operations Support Wing and the Aeronautical Facilities Air Group. The nearly 3,200 personnel of the BA106 participate daily in the commitment of the Air Force and Space with unique skills that allow to respond to the missions that fall to it: the protection of the territory, projection and force preparation. It hosts in particular a Pelican, a helicopter plot and a sentry detachment, all responsible for ensuring the security of French citizens.
  As history is never frozen and a historical heritage is of interest only if it is shared, Air Base 106 is proud to open its doors every two years on the occasion of European Heritage Days. Transmitting the history of the men, women and units of yesterday, today and tomorrow is the goal of this meeting.
  The Air and Space Conservatory of Aquitaine
  Created in 1987 and stationed on the 106 Bordeaux-Mérignac air base, the Conservatoire de l'Air et de l'Espace d'Aquitaine (CAEA) contributes to safeguarding Aquitaine’s heritage. The place contains about fifty aircraft: flamingo, mirage, jaguar, vulture, American B26, canadair etc. There is also a flight simulator, exhibition rooms rich in photo material, posters, models, coats of arms and other objects to trace the history of aviation and the various groups that have succeeded each other on the BA106.