The Treacherous Journey From Afghanistan Camp To Airport: A Tale Of Distance And Danger

Afghanistan has several camps and airports that are located at varying distances from each other. For example, Camp Shorabak (formerly Camp Bastion) is a former British Army airbase located northwest of the city of Lashkargah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The camp was handed over to the Afghan Ministry of Defense in October 2014 and is now under the control of the Taliban. The distance from Camp Shorabak to Kandahar International Airport is approximately 125 miles.

Another example is Bagram Airfield, which was the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. It is located 11 kilometres southeast of Charikar in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan and is approximately 40 kilometres south of Kabul International Airport.

The distance between a camp and an airport in Afghanistan can vary depending on their specific locations.

The US Military has withdrawn from Bagram Airfield, its largest base in Afghanistan

On July 2, 2021, the US military withdrew from Bagram Airfield, its largest base in Afghanistan, marking the end of its 20-year combat mission in the country. The base was handed over to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force, signalling the US's intent to completely withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

Bagram Airfield, located about an hour's drive north of Kabul, previously served as the epicenter of the US occupation in Afghanistan. The base was first used by the Soviet Union to store aircraft hangars and played a crucial role in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. Over the years, Bagram Airfield expanded significantly, with flight operations, a hospital, a prison, dining facilities, and even souvenir shops. Tens of thousands of US soldiers have passed through the base since its establishment.

The withdrawal from Bagram Airfield was not without controversy. Afghan officials accused the US of leaving the base overnight without proper coordination, leading to security lapses and looting. Despite these concerns, the US continued with its troop withdrawal, and by August 15, the Taliban had seized control of Kabul, leading to a mass evacuation of residents.

The US military's departure from Bagram Airfield holds symbolic value, marking the second time an invading army has come and gone through the base. The withdrawal also raises questions about the future of Afghanistan and the potential resurgence of the Taliban. With the US's longest war coming to an end, the country is left facing challenges in maintaining security and stability.

Kabul International Airport is located approximately 40 km south of Bagram

Bagram Airfield, also known as Bagram Air Base, is located in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, about 60 kilometres north of the capital, Kabul. Kabul International Airport is approximately 40 kilometres south of Bagram, connected by two roads.

Bagram Airfield is a strategic location that has been used by various military forces over the years. It was originally built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and was used by Soviet troops between 1979 and 1989. The airfield played a crucial role during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, serving as a hub for Soviet forces and providing close air support for troops in the field.

From 1999 onwards, control of the base was contested between the Northern Alliance and the Taliban, with the base falling into Taliban hands in 2000. During the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the base was secured by the United Kingdom's Special Boat Service. Since then, the base has been used by US and NATO forces and has undergone significant expansion and modernisation.

Bagram Air Base was the largest US military base in Afghanistan, capable of handling large military aircraft. It was home to various US military units and could accommodate thousands of troops. The base also featured a hospital with 50 beds, three operating theatres, and a dental clinic.

In July 2021, the US vacated Bagram Airfield, turning it over to Afghan forces. This marked a significant milestone in the longest war in US military history. The base is now under the control of the Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan shortly after the US withdrawal.

Bagram Airfield was built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s

Bagram Airfield, also known as Bagram Air Base, is located in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan. It was originally built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s during the early period of the Cold War. At the time, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a struggle to spread their political influence in Afghanistan.

The airfield played a significant role during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, serving as a hub for Soviet forces and a base for their troops and supplies. It was also the initial staging point for the invading Soviet forces at the beginning of the conflict.

The base was maintained by the Afghan Air Force with some support from the United States. The original runway, measuring 3,000 metres in length, was built in 1976.

After the Soviet withdrawal, control of the base was contested between the Northern Alliance and the Taliban, with the base suffering damage during the years of fighting between various Afghan factions.

In the 2000s, the base underwent significant expansion and modernization by the Americans, who used it as their largest military base in Afghanistan. It featured two concrete runways, numerous support buildings, and various housing areas. The base was capable of handling large military aircraft and played a crucial role in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

In 2021, the US withdrew from Bagram Airfield, marking a significant milestone in the longest war in US military history. The base was handed over to Afghan forces, who now control the facility.

The base fell to Taliban forces on 15 August 2021

On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, marking the end of the War in Afghanistan and a total victory for the Taliban. This led to the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan under President Ashraf Ghani and the reinstatement of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban.

The fall of Kabul came after a major insurgent offensive that began in May 2021. The Taliban's offensive included a continuation of the bottom-up succession of negotiated or paid surrenders to the Taliban from the village level upwards. The Taliban's effective use of online social media and its strategic choice of attacking northern provinces also played a role in their victory.

The Taliban's offensive began on 1 May 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of the United States' 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, and those belonging to other international allies. Despite large numbers of armed civilians, including women, volunteering with the Afghan Army in defence, the Taliban managed to make significant territorial gains in the countryside.

On 6 August, the Taliban launched an assault on the provincial capitals, with most of the towns surrendering without a fight. This culminated in victories in the weeks-long battles of major cities Herat, Kandahar and Lashkargah on 13 August. On 15 August, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Taliban captured the Afghan capital, Kabul, with only sporadic resistance.

The speed of the Taliban's takeover came as a surprise to many, including the governments of the United States and their allies, Russia and the Taliban themselves.

Bagram was the headquarters of RC-East command

Bagram Airfield, also known as Bagram Air Base, is located in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, about 60 kilometres north of the capital Kabul. It is situated at an elevation of 1,492 metres above sea level and has two runways capable of handling large military aircraft.

The RC-East command was led by the United States Army, with additional troops from other nations, including France, Poland, Turkey, and New Zealand. The command had several Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in the region, which were responsible for civil-military activities and reconstruction efforts.

Bagram Airfield played a crucial role in the US-led war in Afghanistan, serving as the largest US military base in the country. It was expanded and modernized by the Americans and could accommodate tens of thousands of troops from various branches of the military. The base also included medical facilities, dining options, recreational centres, and other amenities to support the personnel stationed there.

In July 2021, the US military departed from Bagram Airfield, ending their nearly 20-year presence at the site. The base was handed over to the Afghan government, marking a significant moment in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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