Naval Base Montségur
 | |
| Type | Naval base |
|---|---|
| Built | 1711 AN |
| Used | 1711 AN - present |
| Controlled by |
 Oportian Security Forces |
| Additional Info | |
| Occupants |
Western Fleet Command Maritime Security Training Center Coastal Defense Command |
| Battles | Corsair Resurgence |
Naval Base Montségur is a key naval installation of the Oportian Security Forces, located approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Vanie. Established in 1711 AN, the base serves as the headquarters for the Oportian Navy's Western Fleet and houses the majority of Oportia's surface combatant vessels. Since the 1744 Oportian coup d'état, the facility has also functioned as a high-security detention center for political prisoners under the National Salvation Council.
The base covers 2,847 hectares and includes extensive port facilities, aircraft runways, training centers, and administrative buildings. Naval Base Montségur is one of the largest military installations in Oportia and employs approximately 18,000 military personnel and 4,200 civilian contractors. The facility's strategic location provides direct access to major shipping lanes while maintaining sufficient distance from the capital for security purposes.
History
Naval Base Montségur was established in 1711 AN during the expansion of Oportian naval capabilities under the Administration of Celine Beaumont. The site was selected for its deep natural harbor and defensible geography. Initial construction focused on basic port facilities and administrative buildings, with the first naval vessels arriving in 1712 AN.
The base underwent significant expansion during the Administration of Galilea Montijo (1730 AN-1738 AN), when increased defense spending allowed for the construction of advanced maintenance facilities, expanded docking capacity, and improved training infrastructure. The addition of runway facilities in 1734 AN enabled the base to support naval aviation operations and joint exercises with allied forces from the Concord Alliance.
Corsair Resurgence period
During the Corsair Resurgence (1743 AN-1744 AN), Naval Base Montségur served as the primary staging area for operations against the Confederacy of the Dispossessed. The base coordinated fleet movements, provided logistical support for extended naval operations, and served as a secure harbor for damaged vessels returning from combat. The facility's strategic importance was demonstrated when Commodore Joseph Fouche's Naval Carrier Group Fouche was based at Montségur during the final phases of the conflict.
The base's role in the successful naval campaign significantly enhanced its prestige within the Oportian Security Forces. Many of the officers who would later support the 1744 Oportian coup d'état served at Montségur during this period, creating strong institutional loyalty to Commodore Fouche's leadership.
Role in the 1744 coup
Naval Base Montségur played a crucial role in the 1744 Oportian coup d'état, serving as the secure facility where deposed government officials were detained following their arrest on 19.XII.1744 AN. Former Federal Representative Marcel Vermeuil, Chancellor Julien Moreau, and other senior officials of the Administration of Marcel Vermeuil were transported to the base immediately after their capture.
The choice of Montségur as a detention facility reflected both practical and symbolic considerations. The base's isolation and strong security made escape impossible, while its association with naval victories during the Corsair Resurgence reinforced the National Salvation Council's narrative of military competence versus civilian failure.
Facilities and infrastructure
Naval Base Montségur features extensive port infrastructure designed to accommodate vessels ranging from patrol boats to major surface combatants. The main harbor includes twelve deep-water berths capable of servicing frigates and destroyers, four specialized maintenance docks with heavy-lift capabilities, and protected anchorage areas for smaller vessels. The port facilities were significantly upgraded in 1738 AN to support increased naval operations during regional tensions.
The base's dry dock facility, completed in 1735 AN, can accommodate vessels up to 180 meters in length and provides full maintenance and repair capabilities. Adjacent shipbuilding facilities owned by have produced six patrol vessels since 1740 AN, establishing Montségur as a center for domestic naval construction.
Aviation facilities
The base includes a 2,400-meter runway capable of supporting large transport aircraft and naval aviation assets. Hangar facilities can accommodate up to 24 aircraft, while the control tower and radar installations provide comprehensive air traffic management for the southwestern region. The runway was extended in 1742 AN to enable operations by larger cargo aircraft supporting base logistics.
Training and education
Naval Base Montségur includes extensive training facilities for enlisted personnel, ranging from basic seamanship to specialized technical schools for electronics and weapons systems. The Maritime Security Training Center, established in 1741 AN, provides specialized instruction in counter-piracy and coastal defense operations.
Detention facilities
Since the 1744 Oportian coup d'état, Naval Base Montségur has operated high-security detention facilities for political prisoners. The detention complex, located in a restricted section of the base, includes comfortable quarters for senior officials and standard cells for lower-ranking detainees. Security is provided by naval personnel under direct supervision of base command.
The facility gained international attention following the detention of former government officials, including Marcel Vermeuil and members of his administration. On 5.I.1745 AN, state television broadcast footage from the detention facility showing former officials in comfortable quarters, apparently intended to counter rumors of mistreatment or execution.[1]
Strategic importance
Naval Base Montségur's location provides strategic control over southeastern approaches to Oportia and major shipping routes connecting the Gulf of Vanie with international waters. The base serves as the primary coordination center for maritime security operations and maintains surveillance over key sea lanes used for key exports, such as Alexandrium.
The facility's intelligence capabilities include signals intercept stations and radar installations providing comprehensive maritime domain awareness. During the Corsair Resurgence, these capabilities proved crucial for tracking Confederacy of the Dispossessed vessel movements and coordinating successful naval operations.
Current status
Under the National Salvation Council, Naval Base Montségur has been designated as a "Strategic National Asset" with enhanced security and expanded operational responsibilities. The base serves as headquarters for the newly established Coastal Defense Command and coordinates maritime security operations throughout Oportian territorial waters.
The facility continues to house political detainees from the previous government, though access to these areas remains strictly controlled. The National Salvation Council has announced plans for further base expansion, including new construction projects and equipment modernization programs funded through the military budget increases implemented since the coup. The base's role in supporting the current military government has made it a symbol of the National Salvation Council's authority and naval power.
Notable personnel
- Commodore Joseph Fouche - Former commander of Naval Carrier Group Fouche, based at Montségur during the Corsair Resurgence;
- Vice Admiral Camille Dufort - Western Fleet Commander;
- Captain Henri Bergeron - Base Operations Officer and NSC military spokesman.
See also
- Oportian Security Forces
- Oportian Navy
- 1744 Oportian coup d'état
- National Salvation Council
- Corsair Resurgence
- Political prisoners of the National Salvation Council
