King Khalid Air Base

King Khalid Air Base is an airbase of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) sited in the south-west of Saudi Arabia, near Khamis Mushait.

King Khalid Air Base
Khamis Mushait, 'Asir Region in Saudi Arabia
King Khalid Air Base
Shown within Saudi Arabia
Coordinates18°18′25″N 42°48′33″E
TypeAir Base
Site information
OwnerRoyal Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
OperatorRoyal Saudi Air Force
Site history
Built1960 (1960)
In use1960-present
Garrison information
GarrisonRSAF Wing 5
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: KMX, ICAO: OEKM
Elevation2,050 metres (6,726 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
12,400 ft (3,780 m) 

History

The airbase, with code KMX, has a 12,400 ft (3,780 m) paved runway without customs facilities. The base was designed and built by the Dutch company Ballast Nedam for BAE in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and has McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle service facilities.[1]

Gulf war

During the Gulf War in 1991, the USAF had a base here from which they launched F-117 stealth fighter from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing on Baghdad, and other high priority targets in Iraq.[2] On the opening night of the war Vickers VC10 tankers from No. 101 Squadron RAF launched here refueled Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR1s.[3]

The RSAF forces included the newly formed 66th Squadron with Tornado GR1 aircraft and immediately post Gulf war 1 they took delivery of the RSAF GR1a Reconnaissance versions supported by the 66th Squadron Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (RIC).

Later in the 90s a second Tornado GR1 Squadron formed - 83rd Squadron.

Current use

See also

References
  1. Cordesman, Anthony H.; Al-Rodhan, Khalid R. (2007). Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 216. ISBN 978-0-275-99399-3. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  2. Ham, Anthony; Shams, Martha Brekhus; Madden, Andrew (15 September 2004). Saudi Arabia. Lonely Planet. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-74059-667-1. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  3. "19 Years Over Iraq". The Official RAF Annual Review 2010. Stamford: Key Publishing: 8. December 2010.
  4. "Royal Saudi Air Force - Khamis Mushayt (King Khalid Air Base) (OEKM)". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
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