Al Dhafra Air Base
United Arab Emirates
Strategic US and UAE joint air base in Abu Dhabi.
- ›Home to the US Air Force's 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.
- ›Hosts both UAE Air Force and US Air Force operations as a joint base.
- ›Located approximately 30 km southwest of Abu Dhabi city.
- ›Has been used to support operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region.
- ›France also maintains a military presence at the base as part of its Gulf region commitments.
Al Dhafra Air Base is a United Arab Emirates Air Force installation located approximately 20 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi city, near the town of Al Dhafra in the Madinat Zayed region. It serves as a joint-use facility hosting UAE military aviation alongside a significant US Air Force presence, making it one of the most strategically important air bases in the Gulf region. The base is primarily a military installation and does not function as a commercial passenger airport.
- Military Operations Terminal — Restricted military facility serving UAE Air Force and allied military personnel only, with no public civilian access.
- Military-arranged transportation for authorized personnel
- Private vehicle access via security-cleared entry
- Taxi services from Abu Dhabi city for authorized visitors
- Tilal Liwa Hotel
- Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
- Hotels in Abu Dhabi city centre (approx. 20–30 km away)
Dining facilities at Al Dhafra Air Base are restricted to military personnel and authorized contractors operating within the base. Civilian visitors and travellers would need to seek dining options in Abu Dhabi city or along the Abu Dhabi–Madinat Zayed highway corridor.
- Al Dhafra is a restricted military installation — civilian access is not permitted without prior authorization.
- The base is located near the edge of the Rub' al Khali desert; extreme heat is common, especially in summer months.
- Authorized visitors should confirm all entry documentation well in advance through official military channels.
- The nearest major commercial airport is Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), approximately 30–40 km away.
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Al Dhafra Air Base is a military installation in the United Arab Emirates. The base is located approximately 20 mi (32 km) south of Abu Dhabi, and is operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
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