{{Short description|American air base in Kurdistan, Iraq}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Harir Air Base | ensign = | ensign_size = | native_name = {{langx|ku|بنکەی ئاسمانیی ھەریر}} (Bênkêy Asmānīy Harir) | partof = | location = Harir, Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region, | nearest_town = | country = Iraq | image = | alt = | caption = | image2 = | alt2 = | caption2 = | coordinates = {{Coord|36|31|37|N|044|20|50|E|region:IQ_type:airport|display=inline,title}} | gridref = | type = Special Operations Air Base | image_map = | image_mapsize = | image_map_alt = | image_map_caption = | pushpin_map = Iraq | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Iraq | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_image = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_marksize = | code = | site_area = | floor_area = | height = | length = | ownership = Kurdistan Regional Government (''de facto'') | operator = United States Airforce (2003; ~2017–present) <br />Joint Special Operations Command (~2017–present) <br /> Delta Force (~2017–unknown) | controlledby = | open_to_public = | condition = | site_other_label = | site_other = | website = | built = {{Start date|1983}} | built_for = | builder = | architect = | used = 1983–2003 (Iraqi Air Force)<br />2003–present (United States) | materials = | fate = | demolished = | battles = *Iran–Iraq War *2003 invasion of Iraq * War against the Islamic State | events = | current_commander = | past_commanders = | garrison = | occupants = | designations = | nrhp = | footnotes = '''Sources:''' DoD FLIP<ref>{{Cite book|title=DoD Flight Information Publication (Enroute) – Supplement Europe, North Africa and Middle East|publisher=National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency|year=2021|location=St. Louis, Missouri|page=B–71}}</ref> }}

'''Harir Air Base''' ({{airport codes||ORBR|p=n}}; {{langx|ku|بنکەی ئاسمانیی ھەریر}}), formerly known as '''Bashur Air Base''', is a special operations air base located near to the town of Harir, in the Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-25 |title=Inside the US Special Forces mission that eliminated Haji |url=https://www.key.aero/article/inside-us-special-forces-mission-eliminated-haji-abdullah |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=www.key.aero |language=en}}</ref>

As of October 2025, the base continues to be operated by a small contingent of U.S. troops.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-23 |title=US troops to remain at Iraq air base |url=https://countervortex.org/blog/us-troops-to-remain-at-iraq-air-base/ |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=CounterVortex |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History== In 1983, the base, previously known as '''Bashur Air Base''', was constructed to improve the deployment flexibility of the Iraqi Air Force. It was also as part of a national drive to construct new airfields and renovate existing airfields. It was in the early stages of construction by June 1983. A single 2,600 meter long runway orientated NW/SE was built, equipped with two taxiways and an apron.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airfield Construction and Upgrading, Iraq (S) |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T00060R000300050001-6.pdf |website=CIA FOIA Electronic Reading Room |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |date=1 June 1983 |page=5 |access-date=17 January 2026}}</ref>

The base was seized during Operation Northern Delay by the United States Armed Forces as part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During the operation to seize the base, American paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2025 |title=Iraqi Kurdistan's Erbil Still A Vital Hub For U.S. Anti-ISIS Campaign |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2025/10/06/iraqi-kurdistans-erbil-still-a-vital-hub-for-us-anti-isis-campaign/ |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref> reportedly believed they had landed in friendly territory after being greeted by local Kurds and encountering no resistance.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2014-11-12 |title=Iraqi Kurdish Harir town hopes Americans will return to abandoned air base |url=https://theinsightinternational.com/iraqi-kurdish-harir-town-hopes-americans-will-return-to-abandoned-air-base-2014-11-12 |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=The Insight International |language=en-US}}</ref>

Soon after the invasion, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) encouraged the United States to take advantage of the Kurdish region's stability and offered to host a long-term U.S. military presence at the Harir Air Base, but the proposal was declined. U.S. troops later withdrew entirely from Iraq and the base had been largerly abandoned.<ref name=":1" />

In 2014, reports emerged of negotiations between the KRG and the U.S. over the possible use of the site to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State. Iraqi Arab politicians reacted angrily to the reports. Majid al-Gharawi, a Baghdad lawmaker, said that “U.S. intentions to build a military base in the area of Harir are unacceptable,” adding that the move was aimed at reoccupying Iraq and exerting pressure on the central government for further concessions.<ref name=":1" />

As part of Operation Inherent Resolve US military forces returned to the base in the war against the Islamic State. The base hosted various American aircraft and units,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coalition denies reports of withdrawal from Harir airfield|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/25191-Coalition-denies-reports-of-withdrawal-from-Harir-airfield|website=Kurdistan 24}}</ref> including special operation forces, such as: * Pilatus U-28A Draco from the Air Force Special Operations Command<ref name="AFMAPR22-37">{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=April 2022|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=37}}</ref> * Boeing MH-47G Chinook from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (160th SOAR (A))<ref name="AFMAPR22-37"/> * Sikorsky MH-60M Black Hawk from the 160th SOAR (A)<ref name="AFMAPR22-37"/> * General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle of the United States Army<ref name="AFMMAR17-78">{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=March 2017|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=78}}</ref> During the war against the Islamic State the base was also home to a unit of the Delta Force.<ref name=":0" />

After the defeat of the Islamic State, the U.S. force at the base was gradually reduced, though a small contingent remained as of October 2025.<ref name=":2" />

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Bases of the United States Air Force Category:Installations of the United States Army in Iraq Category:Erbil Governorate in the Iraq War Category:Military airbases established in 1983