{{Infobox military installation | name = RAF Sheikh Othman<br />RAF Unit Sheikh Othman<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-S.htm#Sheikh%20Othman|title=RAF Sheikh Othman|publisher=RAF WEB|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref> | ensign = Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg | ensign_size = 90px | native_name = | partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site --> | location = Sheikh Othman District, Aden, Aden Governorate | country = Yemen | image = Sheikh Othman Airfield 1966.jpg | caption = Declassified satellite imagery of Sheikh Othman Airfield captured by KH-7 on 22 March, 1966. | image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields --> | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = Royal Air Force station | coordinates = {{Coord|12|52|44|N|44|58|03|E|display=inline,title}} | gridref = | pushpin_map = Yemen Aden#Yemen | pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Yemen | pushpin_label = RAF Sheikh Othman | pushpin_label_position = left | ownership = Air Ministry | operator = Royal Air Force<br/>United States Army Air Forces | controlledby = AHQ Aden | open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc --> | site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> | site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities radar types etc --> | site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc --> | code = <!--facility/installation code --> | built = {{Start date|1936}} | used = 1936-{{End date|1950}} | builder = | fate = | condition = | battles = Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II | events = | past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) --> | garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group --> | occupants = <!-- squadrons only --> | designations = | website = | footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox --> <!-- begin airfield information --> | IATA = | ICAO = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = | elevation = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} --> | r1-number = | r1-length = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} --> | r1-surface = | r2-number = | r2-length = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} --> | r2-surface = | r3-number = | r3-length = <!-- {{Convert||m|0}} --> | r3-surface = | h1-number = | h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} --> | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> | airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities --> <!-- end airfield information --> }} '''Royal Air Force RAF Sheikh Othman''' or more simply '''RAF Sheikh Othman''', also known as '''Bir Fadhl Airfield''', is a former Royal Air Force station located within Sheikh Othman District, Aden, Aden Governorate, Yemen.

== History == RAF Sheikh Othman was established in 1936 and closed in 1950. By 1958, the former airfield's runways had become unserviceable due to prolonged inactivity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clandestine Activity in Yemen |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78T05447A000100010099-6.pdf |website=CIA Reading Room |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=27 February 2026}}</ref>

== Units == The following units were here at some point: * Detachment from No. 8 Squadron RAF between April 1939 and July 1940 with the Bristol Blenheim I{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=26}} * No. 11 Squadron RAF between 16 June and 1 December 1940 with the Blenheim I{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=27}} * No. 39 Squadron RAF between 13 May and 1 December 1940 with the Blenheim I{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=38}} * No. 41 Squadron RAF between 18 March and 11 August 1936 with the Hawker Demon{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=38}} * No. 94 Squadron RAF between 2 May 1939 and 19 April 1941 with the Gloster Gladiator I & II{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=52}} * No. 203 Squadron RAF between 15 February and 18 May 1940 with the Short Singapore III and the Blenheim I & IV{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=68}} * No. 73 Operational Training Unit RAF between 20 November 1941 and 30 November 1942 with the Curtiss Mohawk and Hawker Hurricane I{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=205}} * No. 3 (Middle East) Ferry Control RAF between 20 May 1942 and 1 February 1944{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=109}} * No. 30 Staging Post between 9 June 1942 and 1 June 1946{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=256}} * Fighter Defence Flight, Aden between 1 October 1942 and 31 January 1943 with the Hurricane I{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=113}}

==See also== * List of former Royal Air Force stations

==References== {{Reflist}}

*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=C.&nbsp;G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife Publishing |location= Shrewsbury, UK |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }} *{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=Ray|last2=Hamlin|first2=John|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912 |year=2007 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location=Tonbridge, UK|isbn=978-0851-3036-59}}

==External links== * [https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/FAA-Bases/Hiswa.htm Royal Navy Research Archive - map showing general location of this airfield]

{{Royal Air Force}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheikh Othman}} Category:Royal Air Force stations in the Middle East Category:World War II airfields in the Middle East Category:World War II sites in Aden Category:Military airbases established in 1936 Category:Military airbases closed in 1950