Lexi Webster
There are several military bases in Bahrain, including the Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the Naval Regional Contracting Center Bahrain, and the Isa Air Base. The latter, formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base, is located on the shore of the Persian Gulf in southern Bahrain. It hosts the Royal Bahraini Air Force Fighter Wing and its two squadrons. The base has also been used by the United States Air Force, which established a camp there in 2009 to support aerial port operations and deploy vehicles to US forces in Afghanistan.
What You'll Learn
The US Navy, US Marines and Bahrain Police run the base
Isa Air Base (IAB), formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base, is located in Bahrain on the shore of the Persian Gulf. During the first Gulf War, some Coalition forces referred to the base as "Shakey's Pizza" due to difficulties with the original Arabic name. The base hosts the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) Fighter Wing and its two squadrons.
One of the notable military bases in Bahrain is the Naval Support Activity Bahrain, owned by the United States Navy and run by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines, and the Bahrain Police. This base holds significant strategic value and is subject to Bahraini authority, laws, and regulations.
Another important military installation in Bahrain is the Muharraq Airfield, situated near the Bahrain International Airport. This airfield serves as a hub for shipping supplies from various countries and is known for its top-notch security measures. The U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines, and the Bahrain Police are responsible for managing and securing this strategic location.
In addition to these, the United States has established a presence at Isa Air Base. During the conflict with ISIL, various American aircraft were deployed to this base. In 2009, the United States Air Force set up a camp at Isa Air Base to expedite the delivery of mine-resistant ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. This camp was designated as a detachment of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
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It's located on the shore of the Persian Gulf
Isa Air Base (IAB), formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base, is located in Bahrain on the shore of the Persian Gulf in the southern part of the island nation. The base is home to the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) Fighter Wing and its two squadrons. The RBAF's 1st Fighter Wing includes the 1st, 2nd, and 6th Fighter Squadrons, as well as the 5th Squadron and the 4th Squadron, which fly a variety of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon C/D Block 40 and the British Aerospace Hawk.
The base's location on the Persian Gulf shore is strategic, providing easy access to the region's waterways and the ability to project power across the Gulf. The Persian Gulf has long been a critical waterway for global energy markets, with a significant portion of the world's oil and gas supplies transported through the Strait of Hormuz, which sits at the southern end of the Gulf.
The base's proximity to the Gulf also offers tactical advantages for air operations. It provides a convenient launching point for aerial missions over the Gulf and the broader Middle East region. The nearby waters can also be used for aircraft carrier operations, further enhancing the capabilities of the airbase.
In addition to its military significance, the Persian Gulf is also a hub for commercial shipping and maritime trade. The region is home to several major ports, including those in nearby countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. With its location on the Gulf shore, Isa Air Base can monitor maritime activity and play a role in ensuring the security of Bahrain's maritime borders and economic interests.
The base's location on the shore of the Persian Gulf is, therefore, a key factor in its strategic importance, offering both military and economic advantages to Bahrain and its allies.
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The Royal Bahraini Air Force Fighter Wing is hosted there
The Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) is hosted at the Isa Air Base (IAB), formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base, located on the shore of the Persian Gulf in southern Bahrain. The base is home to the RBAF's 1st Fighter Wing, which consists of three fighter squadrons: the 1st, 2nd, and 6th Fighter Squadrons.
The RBAF is the aerial warfare branch of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) and was originally formed as the BDF Air Wing in 1976. It became an independent service branch in 1987 and has been involved in several combat operations, including the Gulf War and the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war. Bahrain has developed a well-equipped air force and was the second country in the Gulf Cooperation Council to acquire advanced fighters, such as the F-16C/D in 1989, which have been the main combat aircraft for the RBAF.
The 1st Fighter Wing was formed in 1985 to control the RBAF's fighter units and was initially based at Bahrain International Airport (Manama) before moving to Isa Air Base. The fighter squadrons that comprise the 1st Fighter Wing are equipped with a range of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon C/D Block 40, the Northrop F-5E/F, and the British Aerospace Hawk.
Isa Air Base has a significant role in supporting coalition forces and has been utilized by the United States Air Force for various operations. During the first Gulf War, the base was used by Coalition forces and played a crucial role in the delivery of military equipment to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The United States has also deployed aircraft to Isa Air Base as part of its operations against ISIL.
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The US Air Force established a camp in 2009 to support aerial port operations
The US Air Force has had a presence in Bahrain since the 1990s, when they assisted in expanding the country's military. In March 2009, the US Air Force established a camp on Isa Air Base (IAB) to support aerial port operations.
Isa Air Base is located on the shore of the Persian Gulf in southern Bahrain. It is home to the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) 1st Fighter Wing and the two squadrons that comprise it. The base hosts a range of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon C/D Block 40, the Northrop F-5E/F, the British Aerospace Hawk, and the Slingsby T-67 Firefly.
The US Air Force camp established in 2009 was designated a detachment of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Its primary purpose was to expedite the delivery of mine-resistant ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles to US forces stationed in Afghanistan. This initiative was part of the broader operations against ISIL, which involved the deployment of various US aircraft to Isa Air Base.
The US presence at Isa Air Base has been ongoing since 2009, with KBR assuming responsibility for base operations support services as of August 27, 2020. The collaboration between the US Air Force and the Royal Bahraini Air Force exemplifies the strategic military alliances formed to address regional security concerns.
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The base is also used for operations against ISIL
Isa Air Base (IAB), formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base, is located in the island nation of Bahrain, on the shore of the Persian Gulf in the south of the country.
The base is used for operations against ISIL, with the United States deploying various aircraft there as part of its operations against the terrorist group. Bahrain is a key location for US operations in the Middle East, with the US Fifth Fleet based in the country.
In March 2009, the US Air Force established a camp at Isa Air Base to support aerial port operations. The unit was designated a detachment of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The purpose of this detachment was to speed up the delivery of mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles to US forces in Afghanistan.
Al Udeid Air Base is one of two military bases southwest of Doha, Qatar, and is the largest US military base in the Middle East. The base is host to the US Central Command's forward headquarters, as well as the headquarters of the US Air Forces Central Command, the No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of the USAF. In June 2017, the base hosted over 11,000 US and US-led anti-ISIL coalition forces and over 100 operational aircraft.
The US has used Al Udeid as a logistics, command, and basing hub for its operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The base has also been used for airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq (Operation Shader) since 2014.
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Frequently asked questions
Isa Air Base (formerly Shaikh Isa Air Base) is located on the shore of the Persian Gulf in southern Bahrain. It is home to the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) Fighter Wing and its two squadrons.
During the first Gulf War, Coalition forces referred to the base as "Shakey's Pizza" due to difficulties with the original Arabic pronunciation. In March 2009, the United States Air Force established a camp on the base to support aerial port operations and accelerate the delivery of military vehicles to US forces in Afghanistan. The US has also deployed aircraft to Isa Air Base as part of its operations against ISIL.
Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a military base owned by the United States Navy but run under the authority and laws of Bahrain.
