page_title: Al Udeid Air Base
section_title: United States operations
hierarchical_section_title: Al Udeid Air Base / Current use / United States operations
caption_attribution_description: English: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tate Whitener, a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, prepares for takeoff in support of an Operation Freedom’s Sentinel mission at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Jan. 3, 2017. The 340th EARS is actively engaged in tactical refueling operations which extend kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities across Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Fredericks) Unit: U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
context_page_description: Al Udeid Air Base is a military base southwest of Doha, Qatar, also known as Abu Nakhlah Airport. It houses Qatar Air Force, United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and other Gulf War Coalition personnel and assets. It is host to a forward headquarters of United States Central Command, headquarters of United States Air Forces Central Command, No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of the USAF. In 1999, the then Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad, told U.S. officials that he would like to see as many as 10,000 U.S. servicemen permanently stationed at Al Udeid. According to media reports in June 2017, the base hosted over 11,000 U.S. and U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition forces and over 100 operational aircraft.
caption: Al Udeid Air Base in 2017
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