Compile a detailed list of US military bases across Middle East countries, including their names, locations, and host nations. Highlight major strategic sites such as Al Udeid Air Base and Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
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| Photo credit _The cradle |
The U.S. military operates numerous installations both within the country and overseas, with at least 128 bases located abroad as of July 2024. According to the U.S. Army, Camp Humphreys in South Korea is the largest foreign base by land area.
Since 2001, the Watson Institute at Brown University estimates that between 1.9 and three million U.S. service members have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, with over half serving multiple tours.
What is a Military Base?
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by the military or its branches, accommodating personnel and equipment while supporting operations and training. These bases can function as command hubs, training areas, or testing grounds, in addition to hosting various units.
While military bases often rely on external support to operate, some larger, self-sufficient bases can sustain themselves for extended periods during sieges by providing food, water, and other necessities to their inhabitants. Air bases are designated for military aircraft, while naval bases serve as home ports for military vessels.
Largest US Military Base In Middle East
Al Udeid Air Base, the colossal crown jewel of U.S. military might in the Middle East, sprawls majestically west of Doha, Qatar. Established in 1996, this sprawling fortress hosts a staggering 11,000+ American and coalition troops. Spanning a jaw-dropping 24 hectares (60 acres), this high-tech stronghold can cradle up to 100 cutting-edge aircraft and drones, ready to dominate the skies!
Qatar
Situated in the desert near Qatar’s capital, Doha, the 24-hectare Al Udeid Air Base functions as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command, managing U.S. military operations across a vast region from Kazakhstan in the east to Egypt in the west. Approximately 10,000 troops are stationed at this, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.
Kuwait
Ali Al Salem Air Base, commonly called "The Rock" for its isolated, rugged mountainous location, and Camp Arifjan, the forward headquarters of U.S. Army Central, are among the numerous large-scale military installations. The U.S. Army website states that Camp Buehring was established during the 2003 Iraq War and functions as a staging hub for American Army units deploying to Syria and Iraq.
United Arab Emirates
According to U.S. Air Force Central Command, Al Dhafra Air Base, situated south of Abu Dhabi in the UAE and co-utilized with the UAE Air Force, serves as a critical U.S. Air Force hub, playing a key role in significant operations against the Islamic State and regional surveillance missions.
Saudi Arabia
A 2024 White House letter indicates that 2,321 U.S. troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia, collaborating with the Saudi government to support the operation of American military aircraft and provide air and missile defense capabilities. Some of these forces are stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, located approximately 60 kilometers south of Riyadh, which hosts U.S. Army air defense systems, including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems and Patriot missile batteries.
Jordan
According to a 2024 Library of Congress article, the U.S. Air Forces Central's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which carries out operations across the Levant, is stationed at Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Azraq, located 100 kilometers northeast of Jordan’s capital, Amman.
Iraq
Per a White House statement, the United States supports Iraqi security forces and participates in the NATO mission at Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar province. In 2020, the base faced Iranian missile attacks in retaliation, prompting the U.S. to eliminate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
U.S. and coalition forces utilize Erbil Air Base, situated in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, for training and combat simulations. A congressional report notes that the base facilitates U.S. military operations by providing a secure hub for training, intelligence sharing, and logistical coordination in northern Iraq.
U.S. Military Bases in the Middle East
Here is a list of major U.S. military bases located across the Middle East, along with their locations and host countries.
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