Al Udeid: The Largest US Base in the Middle East with 8,000 Troops

Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, featuring two 12,000-foot runways and housing nearly 8,000 American troops. This strategic hub supports bombers, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, and rapid deployment capabilities. It plays a critical role in US military operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Established in 2000 when Qatar granted access to the US, Al Udeid became an official US military presence through a December 2002 agreement. The base hosts the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of the USAF, serves as a command center for the US Central Command, and houses RAF assets. With over 100 aircraft and a legacy rooted in World War II’s Eighth Air Force, it provides combat airpower and essential services like aeromedical evacuation. Qatar has invested over $8.5 billion in upgrading the base’s infrastructure, including troop accommodations and runway improvements. Recently, the US approved Qatar’s purchase of eight MQ-9B Predator drones worth nearly €2.6 billion. Over the years, Al Udeid has been pivotal in combating extremist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda by launching airstrikes and reconnaissance missions. Despite its strategic importance, Qatar blocked the US from using the base to strike Iranian nuclear targets during recent tensions, reflecting Doha’s close ties with Tehran.