King Abdulaziz Air Base

King Abdulaziz Air Base
قاعدة الملك عبدالعزيز الجوية
Dhahran, Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia
Logo of King Abdulaziz Air Base
OEDR is located in Saudi Arabia
OEDR
OEDR
Location of King Abdulaziz Air Base
OEDR is located in Persian Gulf
OEDR
OEDR
OEDR (Persian Gulf)
Coordinates26°15′45.2″N 50°09′11.0″E / 26.262556°N 50.153056°E / 26.262556; 50.153056
TypeAir Force Base
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defense
Controlled byRoyal Saudi Air Force
Open to
the public
No
ConditionActive
Site history
Built1961 (1961)
In use1961-1999
1991-present
Garrison information
Current
commander
AVM Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
OccupantsNo. 13 Squadron
No. 92 Squadron
No. 44 Squadron
No. 7 Squadron
No. 35 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron
No. 83 Squadron
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: DHA, ICAO: OEDR
Elevation746 ft (227 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
16R/34L 3,660 metres (12,008 ft) Asphalt
16L/34R 3,600 metres (11,811 ft) Asphalt
06/24 2,150 metres (7,054 ft) Concrete

King Abdulaziz Air Base (Arabic: قاعدة الملك عبدالعزيز الجوية) (IATA: DHA, ICAO: OEDR), also known as Dhahran Air Base and formerly Dhahran International Airport, Dhahran Airport and Dhahran Airfield, is a Royal Saudi Air Force base located in Dhahran in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Located west of Thuqbah and 7 km (4 mi) southeast of the Saudi Aramco Dhahran Camp, the airbase was the first Saudi Arabian airport to be constructed, in 1961, and is under the command of Air vice-marshal Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The airbase was initially built and operated by the United States Air Force from 1945 until 1962 and was known as the Dhahran Airfield.[1] After use by the USAF, it was converted for commercial use and was known as the Dhahran International Airport, and was shared with the King Abdulaziz Air Base of the Royal Saudi Air Force. The military relationship that exists today between the United States and Saudi Arabia was highly influenced by the origin and development of this airfield.

During its commercial use phase, from 1962 to 1999, it was one of Saudi Arabia's busiest passenger airports and was commemorated on the 2nd issue 5-riyal banknotes and the 3rd issue 1-riyal banknotes. After the completion and inauguration of the King Fahd International Airport further north, the airport lost its commercial status and once again reverted to military use only; albeit by the Royal Saudi Air Force, which still uses it today.

  1. ^ "Middle East Countries: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Saudi-Arabia". World Digital Library. 1955. Retrieved 27 July 2013.