Al Udeid Air Base

{{Short description|Military facility southwest of Doha, Qatar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Al-Udeid Air Base | ensign = File:Air_Force_Ensign_of_Qatar.svg | ensign_size = 90px | native_name = {{lang|ar|قاعدة العديد الجوية}} | partof =  | location = | nearest_town = Doha, Al Rayyan | country = Qatar | image = File:Flight Line Fest 2016 160110-F-YM354-030.jpg | alt = A Qatar Emiri Air Force AW139 and a US Air Force B-1B Lancer on the flight-line at Al Udeid Air Base during 2016. | caption = A Qatar Emiri Air Force AW139 and a US Air Force B-1B Lancer on the flight-line at Al Udeid Air Base, 2016. | image2 = 125px | alt2 = Emblem of the Qatar Emiri Air Force | caption2 = Emblem of the Qatar Emiri Air Force | type = Qatar Emiri Air Force base | coordinates = {{Coord|25|07|07|N|51|19|07|E|name=Al-Udeid Air Base|display=title,inline}} | gridref = | image_map = | image_mapsize = | image_map_alt = | image_map_caption = | pushpin_map = Qatar#Asia | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Qatar | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_image = | pushpin_label = Al-Udeid AB | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_marksize = | ownership = Qatar Armed Forces | operator = Qatar Emiri Air Force<br/>United States Air Force<br/>Royal Air Force | controlledby =  | open_to_public =  | site_other_label =  | site_other =  | site_area = 12 square miles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/689706/patriot-battery-defends-auab-from-airborne-threats/|title=Patriot Battery defends AUAB from airborne threats|website=US Air Forces Central|access-date=23 June 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124184943/https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/689706/patriot-battery-defends-auab-from-airborne-threats/|archive-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> | code =  | built = {{Start date|1996}} | used = 1996 – present  | builder = | materials = | height =  | length =  | fate =  | condition = Operational | battles = | events = | current_commander =  | past_commanders =  | garrison = *Transport Wing and 3rd Rotary Wing (Qatar Emiri Air Force) *379th Air Expeditionary Wing (US Air Force) *No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group (Royal Air Force) | occupants =  | designations = | website =  | IATA = XJD | ICAO = OTBH | FAA = | TC = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation = {{Convert|40|m|0}} | r1-number = 16L/34R | r1-length = {{Convert|3,750|m|0}} | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 16R/34L | r2-length = {{Convert|3,750|m|0}} | r2-surface = | h1-number = | h1-length =  | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label =  | airfield_other =   | footnotes = '''Source:''' World Aero Data<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233204/http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=OTBH Airport information for OTBH]}} from DAFIF (effective October 2006)</ref><ref>{{GCM|IUD|source=DAFIF}}</ref> and Google Maps<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Al+Udeid+Qatari+Gate/@25.1180794,51.3143057,6075m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x3e4678a8af10b2ed:0x2374f6ecc033d847!8m2!3d25.1351156!4d51.3423085|title=Google Maps – Al Udeid Air Base|website=Google Maps|access-date=4 January 2019|archive-date=3 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403010204/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Al+Udeid+Qatari+Gate/@25.1180794,51.3143057,6075m/data=%213m1%211e3%214m5%213m4%211s0x3e4678a8af10b2ed:0x2374f6ecc033d847%218m2%213d25.1351156%214d51.3423085|url-status=live}}</ref> }} '''Al Udeid Air Base''' ({{langx|ar|قاعدة العديد الجوية}}; also known as '''Abu Nakhlah Airport''' ({{lang|ar|مطار أبو نخلة}})) is one of two military bases to the southwest of Doha, Qatar, in the municipality of Al Rayyan. It is the largest US military base in the Middle East, hosting approximately 10,000 military personnel as of 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-military-facilities-middle-east-2026-02-28/|title=What are the main US military bases in the Middle East?|publisher=Reuters|date=14 January 2026|access-date=1 March 2026}}</ref>

It houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force, United States Air Force (USAF), United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF), and other foreign forces. It is host to a forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command, headquarters of the USAF Central Command, No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of the USAF.

In June 2017, the base hosted over 11,000 U.S. and Coalition anti-ISIL coalition forces and over 100 operational aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/6/21/us-mystified-over-gulf-states-position-towards-qatar|title=US questions real motives behind Gulf blockade on Qatar|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 December 2024|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130349/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/mystified-gulf-states-position-qatar-170620185107951.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 June 2025,{{efn|The attacks are reported to have occurred at approximately 7:39{{nbsp}}p.m. AST (i.e. UTC+03:00) on June{{nbsp}}23, which corresponds to 16:39 UTC on June{{nbsp}}23|name=timezone}} Iran launched missiles at the base, in retaliation for the 21 June strikes by the United States on Iranian nuclear facilities as part of the Iran–Israel war.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2025 |title=Axios: Iran launches six missiles toward US bases in Qatar |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/axios-iran-launches-six-missiles-toward-us-bases-qatar-2025-06-23/ |access-date=23 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=الكومبس |first1=Alkompis -. |date=23 June 2025 |title=الكومبس – دولية: دوّت أصوات انفجارات في سماء العاصمة القطرية الدوحة، وفقاً لما نقله شاهد لوكالة رويترز، وذلك وسط تقارير عن تهديد إيراني محتمل يستهدف أكبر قاعدة عسكرية أمريكية في الشرق الأوسط |trans-title=Al-Kombs – International: Explosions were heard in the skies over the Qatari capital, Doha, according to a witness who spoke to Reuters, amid reports of a potential Iranian threat targeting the largest US military base in the Middle East. |url=https://alkompis.se/news/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1 |access-date=23 June 2025 |website=alkompis}}</ref> Iran struck al-Udeid again during the 2026 Iran war.

== History == ===United States Air Force=== alt=An aerial view of "Ops Town" at Al Udeid Air Base in 2004|thumb|left|An aerial view of "Log Town" at Al Udeid Air Base in 2004 Following joint military operations during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Qatar and the United States concluded a Defense Cooperation Agreement that has been subsequently expanded. In 1996, Qatar built Al Udeid Air Base at a cost of more than $1 billion. The U.S. first used the then-secret base in late September 2001, when the U.S. Air Force (USAF) needed to get aircraft in position for its operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. has nearly 40,000 military personnel in the Middle East. The U.S. Fifth Fleet is in Bahrain and has 28,000 military personnel in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Kingdoms, including Qatar, cover 60 percent of the costs, around $650 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobepost.com/2017/12/25/allies-ripping-off-america/|title=Defending Allies: Here is how much US Gains from Policing World|last=Zeynalov|first=Mahir|date=25 December 2017|work=The Globe Post|access-date=2018-05-10|language=en-US}}</ref>

Official acknowledgement of the base came in March 2002, when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney stopped there during a trip to the region with a group of reporters. In April 2003, shortly after the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the U.S. Combat Air Operations Center for the Middle East moved from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to what was then a backup headquarters, built a year prior in Qatar that was viewed as a more congenial location for basing U.S. troops.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/28/world/aftereffects-bases-us-will-move-air-operations-to-qatar-base.html Aftereffects Bases; U.S. Will Move Air Operations To Qatar Base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616080447/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/28/world/aftereffects-bases-us-will-move-air-operations-to-qatar-base.html |date=16 June 2018 }} NYT, 28 April 2003.</ref>

Al Udeid and other facilities in Qatar serve as logistics, command, and basing hubs for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations, and oversees U.S. air operations in countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/air-war-syria.html?_r=0 Inside the Air War Over Syria: A High Altitude ‘Poker Game’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616080410/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/air-war-syria.html?_r=0 |date=16 June 2018 }} NYT, 23 May 2017.</ref>

=== Royal Air Force === Between 2004 and 2009 the airbase was used by the British Royal Air Force with transport and fast-jet aircraft to support Operation Telic (Iraq War) and Operation Herrick (War in Afghanistan).<ref name=ahb>{{cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/our-history/air-historical-branch/post-coldwar-studies/raf-in-op-telic2003-offensive-air-power/|title=The Royal Air Force in Operation Telic: Offensive Air Power, March-April 2003|first=Sebastian|last= Ritchie|publisher=Air Historical Branch (RAF)|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>

These included 6 to 8 Panavia Tornado GR4 aircraft drawn from different parts of the Royal Air Force as well as multiple Vickers VC10 from the No. 101 Squadron RAF. British Tornados were equipped with a range of stores, including the Vicon Recce Pod, LITENING targeting pod, 1000 lb HE bombs, Paveway II and Paveway III laser-guided bombs, and the RAPTOR Recce Pod. They were chosen for their currency and up-to-date modification state.<ref name="RAF-2005-2009">{{cite journal |title=19 Years Over Iraq |page=12 |journal=The Official RAF Annual Review 2010 |location=Stamford | publisher=Key Publishing |date=December 2010}}</ref>

The RAF aircraft were accompanied by aircraft engineers and personnel active in support and operation management roles. Between 20 March to 15 April 2003, the Al Udeid Wing of the RAF flew 268 sorties in operations against the Government of Saddam Hussein in Iraq at the start of the Iraq War.<ref name=ahb/>

=== Royal Australian Air Force===

As part of Australia's contribution to coalition forces in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighters from No. 75 Squadron RAAF were based at Al Udeid, along with two Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and three Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. During the early phases of the war, the Hornets flew long missions escorting and protecting coalition AWACS early warning aircraft and tanker aircraft used for air-to-air refueling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history/our-journey/last-combat-mission-iraq-war|title=Last Combat Mission of Iraq War|publisher= Royal Australian Air Force|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref>

Later, when the threat to coalition aircraft was reduced, the Hornets switched to ground attack and combat support roles and were used to attack Iraqi ground forces with laser-guided bombs. The Orions flew long endurance missions over the Persian Gulf tracking vessels, curbing smuggling, and guarding against the threat posed by suicide boats. The deployed Hercules flew supplies and equipment into Iraq, and later flew some of the first humanitarian aid into Baghdad. The 14 Royal Australian Air Force Hornets flew over 670 sorties during the war, including 350 combat sorties over Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history/our-journey/last-combat-mission-iraq-war|title=Last Combat Mission of Iraq War|publisher= Royal Australian Air Force|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref>

=== Iranian missile strikes === [[File:Donald Trump state visit to Qatar, 2025-05-14 P20250515MR-0709.jpg|thumb|Donald Trump visiting Al Udeid Air Base Qatar in May 2025, 1 month before the Twelve-Day War]] {{main|2025 Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base}}

On 23 June 2025, as a response to ''Operation Midnight Hammer'' by the USA, where nuclear facilities were targeted, Iran started missile strikes on the military base, shortly before 8 p.m. AST and after Qatar had closed its airspace.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-23 |title=Qatar closes airspace amid threats of Iranian retaliation against US; Diverts incoming flights |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/qatar-closes-airspace-amid-threats-of-iranian-retaliation-against-us-diverts-incoming-flights/articleshow/122030110.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-06-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> This was followed by explosions in Doha.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran retaliates, fires missiles at US bases in Qatar, Iraq |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/06/iran-retaliates-fires-missiles-us-bases-qatar-iraq |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=AL-Monitor |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623165815/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/06/iran-retaliates-fires-missiles-us-bases-qatar-iraq |url-status=live }}</ref>

Qatar said that there were no casualties and that all but one missile was intercepted.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author1=Elise Hammond |author2=Nectar Gan |author3=Helen Regan |author4=Jessie Yeung |author5=Rhea Mogul |author6=Rob Picheta |author7=Maureen Chowdhury |author8=Aditi Sangal |date=2025-06-23 |title=Live updates: Attack on Iranian nuclear sites thrusts US into Israel-Iran conflict |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-us-strikes-06-23-25-intl-hnk |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Iran said six missiles hit successfully.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-23 |title=Iran's attack on the U.S. base in Qatar / Sirens in Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain / Six missiles hit the Al Udeid base in Qatar belonging to American forces / Video |url=https://www.khabarfoori.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-59/3149685-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A2%DA%98%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%DA%A9%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A6%D9%88 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=خبر فوری - اخبار فوری و لحظه ای {{!}} در لحظه با خبر شوید |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 videos of Iran's attack on the U.S. base in Qatar and the impacts |url=https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/1313246/10-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87%E2%80%8C-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7 |language=fa}}</ref> Satellite images by Planet Labs revealed the destruction of the white radome that contained American secure communication equipment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iran's attack on Qatar air base hit geodesic dome used for US communications, satellite photos show |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-qatar-udeid-air-base-attack-us-aace65a65a0ce69090a7b65fe85cfac8 |website=apnews |date=11 July 2025 }}</ref>

On 28 February 2026, during the 2026 Iran war, Iran attacked the base again. CBC News, citing the Canadian Department of National Defense's website, reported that Canadian soldiers were present at the time of the attack.<ref name=CBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/iran-air-strikes-canada-israel-war-9.7110268|title=Did Canadian exchange officers participate in U.S. Iran strike planning? DND says no, but questions linger|date=1 March 2026|access-date=3 March 2026|website=CBC News|quote=The Department of National Defence website shows that as many as 18 military personnel with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are attached to Operation Foundation, working at the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and at the Combined Aerospace Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid airbase in Qatar.}}</ref>

== Current use ==

=== Qatari Emiri Air Force===

Al Udeid Air Base is the main headquarters for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, although some of its squadrons are based at Doha International Airport among others.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Anthony H. Cordesman |author2=Khalid R. Al-Rodhan|title=Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XWg1mvPuhkUC&pg=PA150|publisher=Praeger|page=150|year=2006|isbn=978-0275992507}}</ref>

Structure:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/qatar/qatar-emiri-air-force#OTBH366|title=Qatar Emiri Air Force - Al Udaid (OTBH) Al-Udeid AB|publisher=Scramble.nl|access-date=28 February 2026}}</ref> {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break}} * Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College ** 30th Squadron with the PAC MFI-395 Super Mushshak ** 31st Squadron with the Pilatus PC-21 ** 32nd Squadron with the PAC MFI-395 Super Mushshak and the Pilatus PC-21 ** 33rd Squadron with the Airbus Helicopters H125 ** 34th Squadron with the Pilatus PC-24 * Airlift Group ** Flying Wing 8 *** 10th Transport Squadron with the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III ** Flying Wing 10 *** 12th Transport Squadron with the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules * Helicopter Group ** Flying Wing 3 *** 20th Squadron with the AgustaWestland AW139 *** 21st Squadron with the AgustaWestland AW139 *** 22nd Squadron with the AgustaWestland AW139 ** Flying Wing 4 *** 41st Squadron with the Boeing AH-64E Apache (QRA) *** 43rd Squadron with the Boeing AH-64E Apache {{Col-break}} * International Flight Training School (IFTS) ** An unidentified squadron with the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master * Air Combat Group ** Flying Wing 5 *** 51st Squadron with the Boeing F-15QA Strike Eagle *** 52nd Squadron with the F-15QA *** 53rd Squadron with the F-15QA * Joint Special Forces ** 121st Squadron with the Viking DHC-6-400 * Ministry of Municipality ** Strategical Wing *** An unidentified squadron with the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS and the Diamond DA 42M MPP {{Col-end}} === Royal Air Force=== [[File:Combined Air and Space Operations Center 151007-F-MS415-015.jpg|thumb|right|Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) provided command and control of air power throughout Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and 17 other nations.]] After the withdrawal of British Tornados and VC10s in Summer 2009 to other locations, Royal Air Force activities at Al Udeid were reduced.<ref name=RAF-2005-2009 />

Since 2014 it has been used as HQ for British involvement in airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq (Operation Shader).<ref name=RAF-Al-Udeid-ISIS>{{cite news|title=UK and Qatar sign pact to combat jihadis and cyber warfare |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4d16d268-629b-11e4-9838-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=13 December 2014 |publisher=ft.com |date=2 November 2014 |quote=It is also headquarters to the UK’s campaign against Isis, Operation Shader. |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108184343/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4d16d268-629b-11e4-9838-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=8 January 2015 }}</ref>

The Royal Air Force formally stationed an RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft at the base to operate over Iraq and Syria, although this aircraft has been pictured operating from Chania International Airport in Crete on occasion.<ref>{{cite news|title=RAF prepares jets to strike Isis targets in Iraq|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/23/raf-prepares-jets-air-strikes-isis-iraq|access-date=13 December 2014|work=The Guardian|date=23 September 2014|quote=An RAF Rivet Joint surveillance plane equipped with listening devices has also been flying missions from al-Udeid air base in Qatar to eavesdrop on Isis communications.|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224213950/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/23/raf-prepares-jets-air-strikes-isis-iraq|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== United States Air Force===

{{further|War against the Islamic State aerial order of battle}}

==== Military cooperation and foreign assistance ==== With its small territory and narrow population base, Qatar relies to a large degree on external cooperation and support for its security. Qatar invested over US$1 billion to construct the Al Udeid airfield during the 1990s; it did not have a large air force of its own at the time. The United States Army Corps of Engineers also awarded over $100 million in Military Construction Air Force (MCAF) contracts for the construction of U.S. storage, housing, service, command, and communication facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3006919.stm|title=US army eyes $100m Qatar deal|date=7 May 2003|newspaper=BBC|access-date=28 December 2024|archive-date=10 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040510122038/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3006919.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Refueling the fight against terrorism 170103-F-XF291-0016.jpg|thumb|right|U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers at Al Udeid Air Base in 2017]]

In early June 2017, the Pentagon said that the diplomatic rupture and tensions between Qatar and some of its Arab neighbors would not affect U.S. operations at the Air Base.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/5/al-udeid-air-base-open-to-us-despite-qatars-rift-w/ Pentagon continues operations at key Mideast air base despite Qatar’s rift with Arab neighbors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721123020/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/5/al-udeid-air-base-open-to-us-despite-qatars-rift-w/ |date=21 July 2018 }} The Washington Post, 5 June 2017.</ref>

In June 2019, the base stationed Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|date=28 June 2019|title=F-22s Deploy to Qatar for the First Time Amid Iran Tensions|work=Military.com|archive-date=20 July 2019|access-date=30 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720173143/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/28/f-22s-deploy-qatar-first-time-amid-iran-tensions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A month later, an expansion of the base was announced to be funded by Qatar,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-dinner-hosted-secretary-treasury-honor-amir-state-qatar/|work=whitehouse.gov|title=Remarks by President Trump at a Dinner Hosted by the Secretary of the Treasury in Honor of the Amir of the State of Qatar|via=National Archives|date=8 July 2019|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120201642/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-dinner-hosted-secretary-treasury-honor-amir-state-qatar/|url-status=live}}</ref> which would cost $1.8 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-trump-tries-to-end-endless-wars-americas-biggest-mideast-base-is-getting-bigger/2019/08/20/47ac5854-bab4-11e9-8e83-4e6687e99814_story.html|title=As Trump tries to end 'endless wars,' America's biggest Mideast base is getting bigger|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=21 August 2019|archive-date=12 February 2021|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212071924/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-trump-tries-to-end-endless-wars-americas-biggest-mideast-base-is-getting-bigger/2019/08/20/47ac5854-bab4-11e9-8e83-4e6687e99814_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Congress appropriations and authorizations ==== The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (P.L. 110-181) authorized $81.7 million in FY2008 spending to build new Air Force and Special Operations facilities in Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-10386/uslm/COMPS-10386.xml |title=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008|publisher=110th Congress}}</ref>

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (P.L. 110-417) authorized $69.6 million in FY2009 spending to build new Air Force and Special Operations facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/3001|title=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009|date=14 October 2008 |publisher=110th Congress|access-date=28 December 2024|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119035719/https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/3001|url-status=live}}</ref>

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-84) authorized $117 million in FY2010 spending to build new Air Force recreational, dormitory, and other facilities at Al Udeid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ84/html/PLAW-111publ84.htm|title=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010|publisher=111th Congress}}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline}} * {{cite web| url = https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL31718.pdf | title = Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations | publisher = Congressional Research Service}} * {{cite web| url = http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/olc/docs/pl110-181.pdf | title = National Defense Authorization Act of 2009 | publisher = U.S. Federal Government}} * {{cite web | url = http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/olc/docs/2009NDAA_PL110-417.pdf | title = Public Law 110-417. 110th Congress | publisher = U.S. Federal Government | access-date = 27 December 2011 | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329160618/http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/olc/docs/2009NDAA_PL110-417.pdf | url-status = dead }} * {{cite web| url = https://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/coalition/deployment/air.force/al.udeid.html | title = CNN Special Report: Al Udeid Air Base | publisher = CNN}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/iraq/raaf.asp |title=RAAF over Iraq |publisher=Australian War Memorial}}

Category:Airports in Qatar Category:Military installations of the United States in Qatar Category:Royal Air Force stations in the Middle East Category:Qatar–United Kingdom military relations Category:Military airbases established in 1996 Category:Military installations of the United Kingdom in other countries