Alcohol On Al Asad Air Force Base: What's The Deal?

Al Asad Air Base is a military installation in western Iraq, located approximately 120 miles west of Baghdad. It was initially constructed by the Iraqi government in the 1980s and served as a major base for the Iraqi Air Force. Following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the base was occupied by American and British forces and became the largest US coalition base in western Iraq. The base has been the target of rocket attacks and was heavily damaged during the Gulf War in 1991. With amenities like an indoor swimming pool, movie theater, and fast-food restaurants, the base is designed to cater to the needs of its personnel. But is there alcohol available on the base?

Al Asad Air Base was constructed in the 1980s

The construction of the base was undertaken by a consortium of Yugoslav companies under contract to the Iraqi government. Two Yugoslav government agencies led the project: the Federal Directorate of Supply and Procurement (FDSP), which acted as the project manager, and Aeroengineering, which served as the project engineer. Saddam Hussein decided to build an air base near the village of Eyen Al Asad and its oasis. The villagers were paid a small fee for their land and were forcibly relocated to Baghdad and other cities in Al Anbar.

The base was designed to incorporate the lessons learned from the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. At the start of that conflict, the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) had attempted to destroy the Iranian Air Force on the ground but failed because Iranian aircraft were protected in hardened structures. As a result, Al Asad Air Base was constructed with three types of aircraft protective structures: "Yugoslav" shelters, Tab Vee shelters, and concrete hangars.

The "Yugoslav" shelters were large aircraft bunkers designed by Yugoslav engineers. They came in two variants: single bay drive-in and single bay drive-through, with annexes for personnel, munitions, equipment, and tools. Each could hold between four and six aircraft. The Tab Vee shelters were strongly constructed, meeting or exceeding NATO standards, but had limited internal storage capacity. The Iraqis, therefore, built bunkers nearby for personnel and munitions.

In addition to its military functionality, Al Asad Air Base also included recreational facilities and amenities for Iraqi personnel, such as a mosque, theatre, soccer stadium, and indoor pool. The base was located in the Al Anbar Province of western Iraq, approximately 120 miles from Baghdad and 110 miles from the Syrian border.

The base was initially an Iraqi Air Force Airbase

The Al Asad Airbase was initially an Iraqi Air Force Airbase. The base was originally named Qadisiyah Airbase, a reference to the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah (c. 636). It was one of five new air bases built in Iraq as part of their Project "Super-Base", launched in 1975 in response to the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973. The construction of the base began sometime between 1981 and 1987. Saddam Hussein decided to have an air base constructed in the vicinity of the village of Eyen Al Asad and its oasis. The area had a sporadic history that stretched back to Biblical times. Arab legend purported that Abraham and his family stopped at an oasis during their journey from Ur to Haran. However, there is no mention of this in either the Bible or the Quran.

The construction of the base was carried out by a consortium of Yugoslav companies under contract to the government of Iraq. Two Yugoslav government agencies led the project: the FDSP (Federal Directorate of Supply and Procurement) and Aeroengineering. The Iraqi Air Force operated the airbase until the 1990s. Prior to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the base housed three units of the Iraqi Air Force, which flew MiG-25s and MiG-21s. It was abandoned shortly after the start of the invasion. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Al Asad Air Base was subjected to numerous air attacks, sustaining massive damage.

The base was initially secured during the Iraq War by the Australian Special Air Service Regiment on April 16, 2003, and was turned over to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3rd ACR) in May 2003. The base was later attacked by Iranian media on January 8, 2020, with more than a dozen ballistic missiles launched from Iran. The Pentagon confirmed that 10 of these missiles hit the Al Asad Airbase.

It was the largest US coalition base in western Iraq

Al Asad Air Base is located in the province of Al Anbar in western Iraq, approximately 180 km west of Baghdad. It was originally known as Qadisiyah Air Base, named after the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah in 636. The base was built between 1981 and 1987 by Yugoslav companies under contract to the Iraqi government. During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the Iraqi Air Force attempted to destroy the Iranian Air Force on the ground but failed due to the protection of hardened structures. As a result, Al Asad Air Base was constructed with robust aircraft protective structures, including Yugoslav shelters, Tab Vee shelters, and concrete hangars.

Prior to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the base was operated by three fighter squadrons of the Iraqi Air Force, flying MiG-25s and MiG-21s. In April 2003, the base was seized by the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and handed over to the US Armed Forces in May. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Al Asad became the largest US coalition base in western Iraq and the second-largest US air force base in the country. It served as a crucial hub for fuel and military truck convoys, with hundreds of trucks passing through daily. The base was also the most accessible and commercially serviced airbase in Iraq.

Al Asad Air Base played a significant role in aerial and ground operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was home to various US military units, including the II Marine Expeditionary Force/Multi-National Force West until January 2010. The base was subjected to multiple attacks, including rocket and missile strikes, with Iranian media reporting that more than 30 missiles were fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in January 2020. In response, the US military deployed Patriot air defence systems to protect against potential Iranian missile attacks.

The base has been targeted by ISIL, with ineffective indirect fire reported in February 2015. In March 2016, Iraqi forces cleared ISIL from the nearby town of al-Baghdadi. Al Asad continues to be used by coalition forces, including British troops, and has served as the headquarters of the 7th Division of the Iraqi Army since being handed over to the Iraqi government in December 2011.

The base has been attacked by Iranian-backed militias

Al Asad Air Base in Iraq has been a target of Iranian-backed militias for years. In January 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for an attack on the base with dozens of missiles, injuring several US military personnel and an Iraqi service member. This incident marked a potential escalation in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.

The base, located in the Al Anbar Province of western Iraq, has been used by the US since its invasion of Iraq in 2003. It was the largest coalition base in western Iraq and the second-largest US air force base in the country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The base's history dates back to the 1980s when it was constructed by Yugoslavian companies under Saddam Hussein's direction.

Iranian-backed militias have repeatedly targeted Al Asad Air Base. In April 2024, US forces at the base shot down approximately two drones, marking the second attack in 24 hours against US troops. Iran-aligned militants had also launched multiple rockets at US forces in Syria. The Pentagon confirmed these attacks, stating they were the first against US troops in Iraq and Syria since February of that year.

In response to the attacks, the US conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. Despite these retaliatory actions, Iranian proxies in Iraq threatened to resume attacks unless the Iraqi government secured an agreement for US troop withdrawal. The ongoing conflict between Iranian-backed militias and US forces at Al Asad Air Base highlights the complex dynamics in the region and the challenges faced by coalition forces.

It has recreational facilities, including a swimming pool and movie theatre

Al Asad Air Base, previously known as Qadisiyah Air Base, is located in the province of Al Anbar in Iraq, about 100 to 180 kilometres west of Baghdad. It is one of the largest military bases in Iraq and has served as a significant hub for military operations, logistics, supply, and troop movements. The base has a rich history, dating back to the Iraqi government's construction in the 1980s. It was initially intended to serve as a major installation for the Iraqi Air Force but has since been occupied by various forces, including American and British troops.

The base offers recreational facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its personnel. Among these facilities are a swimming pool and a movie theatre. The indoor swimming pool provides a space for physical activity and relaxation, allowing personnel to maintain their fitness and unwind from the demands of military life. The movie theatre, a carbon copy of the Sustainer Theatre at Camp Anaconda, offers a welcome distraction and entertainment for the troops stationed at the base.

The swimming pool and movie theatre are part of a broader range of recreational and welfare facilities available at Al Asad Air Base. These facilities are designed to boost the morale and well-being of the personnel serving at the base. Other amenities include gymnasiums, a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centre, a post office, a mosque, a soccer stadium, and various dining options. The MWR centre, in particular, is a vital hub for community activities and social interaction, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging among the troops.

The availability of recreational facilities, including the swimming pool and movie theatre, recognises the importance of holistic well-being for military personnel. These facilities provide opportunities for physical exercise, social interaction, and mental distraction, contributing to the overall resilience and morale of the troops stationed at Al Asad Air Base. They offer a reprieve from the rigours of military life and can help foster a sense of community within the base.

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