U.S. Persian Gulf Bases
GENERAL Resources
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, BASE STRUCTURE REPORT, FISCAL YEAR 2010 BASELINE
General Information
United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF)maintains a Prepositioned War Reserve Materiel (WRM) in Seeb, Thumrait, Masirah, Oman; Al Udeid, Qatar; and Manama, Bahrain that provides support to bare base systems, medical, munitions, fuels mobility support equipment, vehicles, rations, aerospace ground equipment, air base operability equipment, and associated spares and other consumables. The WRM acts as a force multiplier and mitigates transportation requirements and time/distance realities involved in moving like assets from CONUS into theater.
WRM facilities in the Sultanate of Oman are on Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) government installations, and all access to the installations is controlled by the RAFO Security. In Bahrain, performance is in an area controlled by US Navy and Bahrain Port Authority. In Qatar, the Host Nation controls access to the work site.
Bahrain
NSA Bahrain
Phone: 011-973-1785-4227
NSA Bahrain is a major logistics hub occupying 60 acres in the Juffair section of Manama. It is the base of operations for the US Navy’s 5th Fleet and supports the Commander, military, deployed assets and DoD civilian personnel and their families within the Bahrain region. Some 2,800 personnel are located here.
NSA Bahrain contains the Naval Regional Contracting Center (NRCC) Naples, Bahrain Detachment. NRCC Bahrain supports COMLOGFORNAVCENT/CTF-53 in the execution of operational logistics in the NAVCENT/5F AOR through acquisition and contracting functions. NRCC Bahrain is the single point of contact for all contracting support for both the Atlantic and Pacific fleet units operating in the NAVCENT AOR. Additionally, NRCC Bahrain provides contracting support to all Department of Defense-Joint/Host Nation military exercises and the respective U.S. embassies throughout the AOR. NRCC Bahrain’s mission includes logistics support, expediting, replenishment, ship repair, ordnance handling, towing and salvage, and a host of other mission-related contracting requirements.
Muharraq Airfield
The US navy and British RAF maintain a permanent facility at Muharraq Airfield, located on Muharraq Island, a Sunni enclave adjacent to Manama. The military compound is within a civil airfield and Navy Patrol Squadrons operate permanent detachments of P-3 Orion aircraft, the U.S. Navy's long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. Three UC-12M (Super King Air) are also assigned here as the primary logistical asset for light cargo & passenger transport in 5th Fleet AOR. The aircraft also provide VIP transportation in AOR.
The airport is a major civil aviation hub for the Gulf region and recent expansion has led to a reduction in military activity at the site. The USN and RAF for example have moved a significant element of their aviation activities from Muharraq to Al Udeid in Qatar.
Jane’s World Air Forces. Issue Thirty, 2009.
Isa Air Base
Isa Air Base is home of No 1 Fighter Wing of the Bahraini Air Force. In addition, air units of the USAF, USN, and USMC have regularly deployed here. The US has several warehouses of pre-positioned equipment and supplies at this base.
During the 2003 Iraq War, the US operated a range of aircraft from Isa Air Base including bombers, tactical fighters and in-flight refueling tankers.
The installation was built with US assistance and accommodates two or three F-16s in hardened shelters.
Jane’s World Air Forces. Issue Thirty, 2009.
Mina Salman
In 2010 the U.S. Navy broke ground on a mega-construction project to develop 70 acres of waterfront at the port at Mina Salman. Scheduled for completion in 2015, the complex is slated to include new port facilities, barracks for troops, administrative buildings, a dining facility, and a recreation center, among other amenities, with a price tag of $580 million.
CBS News; November 17, 2010 Wednesday 10:05 AM EST; "America's Bunker Mentality About the Middle East"
U.S. Embassy
Other
Two Patriot antimissile batteries are stationed in Bahrain.
Washington Post; February 22, 2011 Tuesday; “Bahrain government's ties with the United States run deep”
Yemen
Port of Aden
The Yemeni government allowed the United States the use of Aden port for refueling warships, until Oct. 12, 2000, when a small boat was used to bomb the USS Cole as it docked for refueling.Amy Derrick-Frost, 5th Fleet spokeswoman, said in Oct. 2010 that U.S. Navy ships “have not actively visited the port of Aden since the Cole tragedy.”
Defense News; October 18, 2010 Monday; “How the Cole Attack Changed the USN”
U.S. Embassy
Oman
The U.S. has a 1980 agreement with Oman, renewed in 1985, 1990, 2000 and 2010, to use with advance notice and for specified purposes Oman’s military airfields in Muscat, Thumrait, and Masirah Island. U.S. Air Force equipment, including lethal munitions, is reportedly stored at these bases. Circa 2002 these pre-positioning sites held support equipment for 26,000 personnel.
Oman’s facilities contributed to U.S. major combat operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom, OEF) and, to a lesser extent, Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, OIF), even though Omani leaders said that invading Iraq could “incite revenge” against the United States in the Arab world. According to the Defense Department, during OEF there were about 4,300 U.S. personnel in Oman, mostly Air Force, and U.S. B-1 bombers, indicating that the Omani facilities were used extensively for strikes during OEF. The U.S. presence fell slightly to 3,750 during OIF; other facilities closer to Iraq, such as in Kuwait, were more extensively for OIF. In Jan. 2010 there were approximately 35 U.S. military personnel in Oman, well below the pre-September 11, 2001, figure of 200 U.S. personnel. Since 2004, Omani facilities reportedly have not been used for air support operations in either Afghanistan or Iraq.
Masirah Air Base
The island of Masirah is the location of a former RAF military airfield now belonging to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) which has played a vital part in numerous middle-eastern conflicts since it was established. Masirah is an island approximately 40 miles long by 10 miles wide at its maximum point.
During the Iraq War the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing was deployed here.
Thumrait Air Base
Thumrait IAP, in Oman is a Harvest Falcon depot. Harvest Falcon is the Air Force's transportable system of modular personnel tents, shelters, equipment, and vehicles to be used when there are infrastructure limitations. The Harvest Falcon equipment is an 1,100-person housekeeping set of tents, electrical generators and billets.
In September 2010, the U.S. awarded an $8.6 million contract to refurbish the Royal Air Force of Oman’s air field at Thumrait Air Base.
CBS News; November 17, 2010 Wednesday 10:05 AM EST; "America's Bunker Mentality About the Middle East"
Seeb International Airport
Oman's largest airport - can be used for U.S. military operations
U.S. Embassy
Kuwait
The two primary operational bases, Ahmed al Jaber and Ali al Salem, have been upgraded in recent years with the aid of the US. Kuwait has not, however, repaired hardened shelters damaged by Allied bombing during the Iraqi occupation of 1991.
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base
Circa 2003 GlobalSecurity.org reported: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait is a Kuwait air force installation with part designated for operations by the US Air Force and its allies. A camp sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, Al Jaber's primary role is supporting Joint Task Force - Southwest Asia, which monitors a no-fly zone mission dubbed Operation Southern Watch. Active-duty, Guard and Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along with support individuals, rotate in and out, ensuring Iraqi aircraft don't fly below the 32nd parallel. At the Al Jaber AFB the 332 ELS Commander and 10 personnel are on a one-year tour; all others (1190 personnel) rotate every 90 days. (
In 2005 the 3rd Marine Air Wing was stationed at al Jaber. (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 11, 2005, “Marine takes lead in Navy Deeb will command Training Squadron 22 at Kingsville air station”)
In 2008, the AV-8B Harrier detachment for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a series of bilateral training exercises with their Kuwaiti counterparts as part of exercise Eager Mace 2008 out of al Jaber. (Defense Department Documents and Publications, July 7, 2008, “White Knights spread good will through bilateral training”)
Specifics regarding current deployment are unknown.
Ali Al Salem Air Base
US forces make extensive use of this base which is home to the USAF’s 386thAir Expeditionary Wing. This unit includes a significant detachment of C-130 and C-17A transport aircraft to airlift supplies and personnel into Iraq. Civilian charter aircraft use the airfield as a terminal for US military personnel during major troop rotations into and out of Iraq.
The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing is comprised of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and 387th Air Expeditionary Group. It includes active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.
Many of the wing's Airmen are filling Joint Expeditionary Taskings (JET) and serve in the 387th Air Expeditionary Group. These JET Airmen fill U.S. Army combat support and combat service support requirements at bases in Southwest Asia, conducting Combat Logistics Convoys, Personnel Support Operations, and Explosive Detection.
The wing is home to one of two Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facilities (CASF) in the theater of operations. The CASF serves as a gateway for patients being airlifted to Germany or the United States for further medical treatment, averaging more than 150 patients a month. Most patients stay between 12 and 36 hours.
Jane’s World Air Forces, Issue 30, 2009
Camp Arifjan
Camp Arifjan is a permanent base situated south of Kuwait City. Troops entering and leaving Iraq go through Camp Arifjan. The Patton Army Airfield is located within the bounds of Camp Arifjan. US Army Contractors and the US Army National Guard staff the camp. (
Recent activity
In 2008, KUNA reported that forces from the US Third Army were stationed in Arifjan Base. (Kuna news agency website, Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring, January 12, 2008 Saturday, ‘Bush says in Kuwait "no doubt in mind" US will defeat terrorism’). Third Army soldiers continued to be stationed at the camp as of Jan. 2011. (Defense Department Documents and Publications, January 27, 2011, “Third Army simulates 'hard landing'”)
The 70th Medium Truck Detachment served as truck commanders and vehicle operators in support of the 7th Transportation Battalion out of Fort Bragg, N.C. from March 3, 2010 to Oct. 31, 2010. ("COMBAT TRUCKERS", February 22, 2011 Tuesday, States News Service)
Camp Buehring
Camp Buehring was originally named Camp Udairi. Buehring had been cooperating with the Iraqi media in order to spread positive publicity regarding beneficial actions of the United States military and Coalition forces in Iraq.
Camp Buehring is located in northwestern Kuwait, and will often serve as a stopping off point for troops entering Iraq. It is the center location of the Middle Eastern Theater Reserve. The camp is very isolated, with the surrounding region being largely uninhabited, with the exception of some groups of Bedouin nomads and their herds of animals.
Camp Doha
Camp Doha is a warehouse complex, located north of Kuwait City. It has served as a crucial base for the United States Army forces in Kuwait after the close of the Gulf War. It was created during Desert Thunder I and has remained in operation since then. Forces at Doha have a focus on rapid reaction joint tactical operations in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
In 2000 the base served as an effective deterrent for violence in the region, providing a consistent and powerful military presence as a result of the 2,000+ US military personnel, in addition to American and Kuwaiti military contractor personnel.
After the influx of troop in the early 1990’s, the base grew to it’s present size: massive, 500-acre military complex, providing support for the US 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, which did not engage in combat operations in Operation Desert Storm.
Camp New York
Soldiers stage at Camp New York prepare for the mission in Iraq, and Kuwait has great facilities for that. Army leaders have turned much of the open space on the camp into improvised training areas for small unit training. Here soldiers practice skills that will be essential for the next year. Then there are the Udari Ranges where units can fire anything from a pistol to a tank just to verify their marksmanship and practice close quarters fighting. The final training will be a Convoy Live Fire Exercise in preparation for our movement north. Convoy Live Fire is a thorough three-day experience where soldiers riding in vehicles learn to deal with explosive devices, ambushes, and other possible events on the movement north. BCT soldiers practice how to fight form there vehicles, as well as how to recover a vehicle that breaks on the road, or how to call in medical evacuation helicopters.
Camp Patriot
The Kuwait Navy Base/Camp Patriot is located on the Southeastern coast of Kuwait. Early in the first decade of the 21st century, during Operation Enduring Freedom, the based served as the headquarters for 3,000+ soldiers from the American-led Coalition fighting in Iraq. Equipped with a 1,400-foot long pier, Camp Patriot served to support light vessels and cargo vessels, and the pier allows cargo to be transferred from the beach, directly to the vessels. The base serves to hold thousands of cargo containers with military logistical equipment. The base served to support and provide ammunition for United States Marines and British Royal Marines during combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Camp Spearhead
Used chiefly during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Camp Spearhead in Shuaiba, Kuwait is located north of the United States military base Camp Patriot. Camp Spearhead primarily served the forces from the United States Army, and forces from the United Kingdom.
The base is located near the port of Shuaiba, which is a major commercial port. The port of Shuaiba consists of Commercial berths, Container berths and an Oil pier operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company.
There are 20 berths of a total of 4068 meters in length. Depth of these berths range from 10 to 14 meters, berth Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18 are used for container vessels. The Oil pier has a depth of 16 meters. There are two small craft & barge basins at the port. The small craft basin has a depth of 4 meters and contains three piers of 100, 175 & 200 meters in length. The barge basin has a depth of 6 meters and contains four piers of 157, 211, 250 & 287 meters in length.
Camp Virginia
Camp Virginia is a military base located in northern Kuwait. The Air Support Operations Center at Camp Virginia served as the base for over 10,000 of the United States Army. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Air Support Operations Center at Camp Virginia served as a staging base for aircraft used in close air support missions for the soldiers engaging in ground operations in Iraqi. The aircraft serving for close combat fly on patrols overhead, within range of combat areas. Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bombers were the primary aircraft stationed at Camp Virginia and serving as close air support for the American soldiers in Iraq.
Recent activity
About 500 soldiers in the National Guard Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery, based out of Charlotte deployed here September 14 for one year. They will establish command and control of subordinate units providing security for movement of support to U.S. forces in Iraq. ("National Guard gets big send off", September 19, 2010 Sunday, Lansing State Journal)
U.S. Embassy
KSA
Eskan Village Air Base
Army Forces Central Command-Saudi Arabia (ARCENT-Saudi Arabia), headquartered at Eskan Village, exercises administrative control of Army forces operating in Saudi Arabia. The ARCENT-Saudi Arabia headquarters also conducts coordination with the host nation for US Patriot missile assets and security forces forward deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, ARCENT-Saudi Arabia plans and executes reception, staging, onward movement, and integration of these deploying forces.
King Abdul Aziz Air Base (KAAB)
Formerly known as Dhahran International Airport, King Abdul Aziz Air Base was re-purposed as a a military facility of the Royal Saudi Air Force in 1999 following the opening of the new King Fahd International Airport. The base is located in eastern Saudi Arabia, approximately 300 miles north-west of the capital of Riyadh and immediately next to the Persian Gulf. The airfield in Dhahran has historically been a strategic military facility, serving as a resupply point for aircraft heading to and from Asia as early as World War II. During Operation Desert Shield, this airfield handled over 90% of the troop transport traffic for the region. In addition to currently supporting a force of US F-15 jet fighters operating over Iraq, the base is home to a joint training program between US Central Command and the Royal Saudi Air Force, the director of which is the US Department of Defense liaison for the Saudi Arabian government.