| Al Asad Airbase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| IATA: none – ICAO: ORAA – LID: MAA | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military: Airbase | ||
| Operator | United States Marine Corps | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 618 ft / 188 m | ||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 09R/27L | 13,123 | 4,000 | Asphalt |
| 09L/27R | 13,124 | 4,000 | Asphalt |
| 08/26 Dirt | 10,125 | 3,086 | Packed Dirt |
| no ILS | |||
Al Asad Airbase (ICAO: ORAA) is the largest US military airbase in the largely Sunni western Iraq Province of Al Anbar Province. An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around A location identifier is a symbolic representation for the name and the location of an Airport, navigation aid, or Weather station, and is used for manned A military is an Organization authorized by its Nation to use force usually including use of Weapons in defending its Country (or by attacking An airbase, sometimes referred to as an Air Force Station, a military Airport or airfield, provides basing and support of Military The term above mean sea level ( AMSL) refers to the Elevation (on the ground or Altitude (in the Air) of any object relative to the A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Asphalt ( is a sticky black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude Petroleums and in some natural deposits sometimes termed asphaltum The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around An airbase, sometimes referred to as an Air Force Station, a military Airport or airfield, provides basing and support of Military Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Al Anbar (الأنبار al-’Anbār or Anbar) is the largest province in Iraq geographically It is currently home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. Other major tenants include the Regimental Combat Team 2, Base Command Group, 507th Corps Support Group (A), 32nd Multifunctional Medical BN (MMB) Forward Distribution Team, MWSG-27, MACG-38, and MAG-29. The 2nd Marine Regiment is an infantry Regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Wing Support Group 27 (MWSG-27 is a United States Marine Corps aviation combat service support unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point that Marine Air Control Group 38 (MACG-38 is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River that is currently composed of one Al Asad also features a compound for the United States Navy SEABEEs. The Seabees are the Construction Battalions of the United States Navy. Seabee's are a Naval Construction Force currently helping to rebuild infrastructure in Iraq.
It was formerly an Iraqi Air Force Airbase. In Arabic, Al Asad means the "The Lion".
Contents |
Airbase after 2003
The base was initially secured by the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and was turned over to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in May of 2003. The Special Air Service Regiment ( SASR) is a Special Forces Regiment modelled on the original British SAS and also drawing on the traditions The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the United States Army currently stationed at Fort Hood TX. 3rd ACR was relieved by the Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in March of 2004. The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division Al Asad has become the largest Coalition base in western Iraq and the equivalent of Baghdad's Green Zone out west. Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous The Green Zone (the common name for the International Zone of Iraq is a 10 km² (4 mile² area in central Baghdad that was the center of the Coalition Provisional
Al Asad is a major convoy hub hosting hundreds of fuel and supply trucks every day. Huge shipments of fuel are commonly run along the dangerous routes coming out of Jordan and despite insurgent attempts a majority of these convoys arrive at their destinations untouched.
Like other large bases in Iraq, Al Asad offers amenities including an indoor swimming pool, Post Exchange, Burger King, Pizza Hut, a Subway Restaurant and a Green Beans Coffee Shop. Base Exchange (BX also referred to as a Post Exchange (PX on Army installations and Navy Exchange (NEX on Navy installations are shops Burger King ( often abbreviated to Subway Restaurants, commonly known as Subway, is a Fast food restaurant franchise that primarily sells Sandwiches and Salads called The Base Theater is undergoing renovation and is expected to open soon; meanwhile its lobby is the home to the Subway and Green Beans retail locations. Most of the housing on base are 'tin cans', small trailer type containers. Some of the original barracks still remain, however, and are used as well. Overflow tents are used when required, such as transition periods, which can nearly double the number of troops on the base. The base is a common destination for celebrities and politicians visiting American troops in Iraq much like Camp Anaconda. Some past visitors include Chuck Norris, and Toby Keith. Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10 1940 is an American martial artist, action star and Television and Film Toby Keith Covel (born July 8 1961 is an American Country music singer-songwriter record producer and actor While the towns and routes near Al Asad are as dangerous as anywhere else in Iraq, the base itself is rarely attacked due to its secluded location. The Marines have nicknamed Al Asad "Camp CupCake" due to its conveniences that most other areas lack.
The oasis located on the base is mistakenly known as "Abraham's Well", and is purported to have been a stopping during the journey of Abraham recounted in the biblical book of Genesis. Abraham's well, Mamre, is actually in ancient Cannan. Mamre, full Hebrew name Elonei Mamre ("Oaks of Mamre" is where Abraham built an altar ( Genesis 1318
The controversial song Hadji Girl was recorded on Al Asad in 2005. " Hadji Girl " is a song by Corporal Joshua Belile of the United States Marine Corps about a
On September 3, 2007 (Labor Day), President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and a Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace visited Al Asad and spent Labor Day with the Servicemembers deployed to the base. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Condoleezza Rice (born November 14 1954 is the 66th United States Robert Michael Gates (born September 25 1943) is currently serving as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense. Peter Pace (born November 5, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York) was the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the
Gallery
 Abandoned Iraqi FT-7A in front of Al Asad ATC Tower. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout |
 George W. Bush at the airbase on 2007-09-03. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius |
See also
External links
- Al Asad Airfield from Globalsecurity. Al Taqaddum Airbase ((قاعدة التقدم الجوية) or Al Taqaddum AB, (Called TQ in military shorthand slang is an Airbase that Al-Qa'im ( ar القائم) is an Iraqi town located nearly 400 km northwest of Baghdad near the Syrian border and situated along the This is a list of US Marine Corps bases and installations organized by type and state org
- Airport information for ORAA at World Aero Data
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