CoBases – US Military Bases

Category: Afghanistan

  • Shindand Airbase

    Shindand Airbase is seven miles in the northwester part of Sabzwar City and in western side of Herat Province in Afghanistan. The weather resistant asphalt road connects the airbase to the Farat-Herat Highway. Shindand airfield used to be a Soviet airfield and was repaired by the US Armed Forces.  The location is ideal for an airfield because of its dry and flat land surrounded by small mountains on the western and northern part of the airfield.

    Shindand Airbase Facts

    • Website: No website for Shindand Airbase
    • Location: Afghanistan
    • Latitude: 33.391331
    • Longitude: 62.260975
    • DSN: N/A

    In the year 2002, the airfield which was built by the Soviets received severe damaged from bombings when the alliance forces entered Afghanistan and on August 15, 2004, the Afghan National Army secured the Shindand airport without any casualties. When the airbase is under the control of the Afghanistan government, United States began using the airbase in the installation of their aircraft. At present, the airbase is being utilized by ISAF and NATO Forces in their medical airlifts, training and humanitarian missions.

    Helicopter at Shindand Airbase

    Shindand Airbase Soldiers

    Shindand Airbase experiences dust cloud

    Shindand Airbase - f-15 lands

    First c-17 lands at Shindand Airbase

    Shindand Airbase is an ideal place for agricultural productions that’s why the United States Special operations founded The Shindand Agricultural Experiment Station on May 2008. Shindand base provided area for this agricultural mission while offering the Afghans with modern agricultural techniques and knowledge in growing crops which will provide support to their insurgent missions. It provides agricultural teaching in farming, maintenance and growing of bees and fish and various agricultural techniques.  The agricultural post has a greenhouse, beehives, agricultural center, fishponds, flowering plants and fruit bearing plants. Aside from this, the station provides housing facilities for their in house scientists.

    The city which was known to be Sabzavar meaning “Green Fields” was later renamed to Shindand which means “Green Pond”. The city of Shindand is in the southern part of Adriskan with large facilities for training the police are located.  The Afghan Army also provides free medical clinic for the Afghan locals.

  • Camp Leatherneck

    Built by the United States, Camp Leatherneck is commanded by the United States Marine Corps. The main purpose of building this camp was to provide a base for the United States Troops deployed to Afghanistan. This base is located in the harsh district of Helmand. The camp is among the youngest United States military installations in Afghanistan, being built only in 2008. The camp is close to the biggest British military installment in this country. The total size of the camp is about 1,600 acres. The camp is was initially a temporary construction to house troops and equipment during the United States led war in this country.

    Camp Leatherneck Facts

  • Location: Helmand Province, Afghanistan
  • Website: Visit Camp Leatherneck Website ›
  • Latitude: 31
  • Longitude: 64
  • DSN: N/A

    • It is still being built to accommodate the increasing number of troops arriving on the ticket of the United Nations. Camp leatherneck is divided into four regions, with each region serving a different purpose. The second Marine Expeditionary Brigade was the first unit to occupy the wing, and in fact, started the construction. Other marine groups now occupy the camp. The camp came in the limelight in vein of the fire that burnt there. The fire burnt for eight hours before it was brought under control and was able to burn a lot away.

    Soldiers rest at Camp Leatherneck

    Camp Leatherneck is still underconstruction Camp Leatherneck Main Sign

    Soldiers before leaving Camp Leatherneck

    Soldiers in way to Camp Leatherneck

    Military equipment for the Afghan war is stored in Camp leatherneck. Aside serving the war, the Navy also operates safety and security operations from this camp. The sub-marines and airships are used to patrol the seas and the nearby bushes. Troubled areas usually have higher crime rates and as such, Camp Leatherneck works hard to bring peace and security to the country. They arrest anyone they think is trying to undermine the peace building efforts in the area. There is also a small prison in the camp, where trouble makers are detained until they are transferred to proper prison facilities.

  • Kandahar Airfield

    Known as the Kandahar International Airport, this facility was built by the United States in the 1960s as part of the international aid projects. This project has served many purposes during and after the wars in Afghanistan and surrounding countries. The facility was first constructed to serve as a military airfield but is now serving both military and civilian flights. During the time it was built, there was threats of war between the United States and USSR and was to be used as an air Base if the war should start.

    Kandahar Facts

  • Location: South-east of Kandahar City in Afghanistan
  • Website: Visit Kandahar Airfield Website ›
  • Latitude: 31.505833
  • Longitude: 65.847778
  • DSN: N/A

    • The Soviets took over the running of the facility in 1979 but did not maintain it. The facilities were also brought under immerse destruction during the Soviet-Afghan war, where the facility was attacked and bombed several times. During the United States led invasion of Afghanistan, the facility saw further destruction as it was a constant target for Taliban attacks. The airport contrast is almost like the ground and so cannot be seen in the air during the day, but by night, the place is lit and can clearly be seen. The airport is isolated from the Kandahar City.

    Military practice at Kandahar Airfield

    Areal View fo Kandahar Airfield

    Kandahar Airfield/Airport Areal

    Terminal And areal View of Kandahar Airport

    The total cost of building the airport in the 1960s is about 15 million dollar, which was huge at the time. It was build to store aircraft fuel for the re-fuelling of American planes on long distance journeys. The Soviet used the facility for storing and lifting war supplies and also for staging air attacks on local fighting groups. During this time though, the airport was not destroyed, though the war was harsh. During the Taliban era, they used the facility as a regular airport, hosting flights from many airlines from other countries and also for humanitarian uses. Terrorists also had their fair use of the facility when they brought down an Indian flight at the airport.

  • Camp Dwyer

    Camp Dwyer was built by the United States in Afghanistan as a result of the long standing relationship between these two countries. The United States moves to assist Afghanistan in warfare and military installations, while it also uses it during for its own purpose. It is fully equipped to serve as a marine base. It was built in the Helmand River Valley, a place commonly referred to the troops as “Hell man” due to its harsh weather conditions. The weather is usually hot, with temperatures reaching extreme values. The base is mostly commanded by the United States Marine and is operated as a store for logistics and living quarters for a number of troops.  A lot of United States military personnel have been killed in this region and are remembered by inscribing their names on metallic nametags that are hand on a tree at the entrance to the facility. The camp is in a secluded region with no nearby towns or cities, perhaps due to the harsh conditions.

    Camp Dwyer Facts

  • Location: Helmand River Valley in the Garmsir District
  • Website: Visit amp Dwyer Website ›
  • Latitude: 31
  • Longitude: 64
  • DSN: N/A

    • The facility patrols the river and the seas to intercept and arrest any war threats coming in that direction. Being a troubled region, Afghanistan is a likely place for child trafficking and illegal drug transports. The marine also works to save this situation. It served as home to the United States Marine Troops that served in the Afghanistan wars. Numerous air-conditioning units have been installed in every housing unit at this camp to curb the harsh weather. Though there is no mobile phone service, there is internet connectivity. Laundry, gym and shower Facilities are built to be shared. The troops carry a lot of water, usually in bottles with them on their way to the field or when hiking. The weather easily dehydrates the troops and so they need to get water every now and then. When there is need, the troops are moved to the battle grounds and back. The bodies of those who died are also brought back and buried.

    Soldiers running to helicopter at Camp Dwyer

    Camp Dwyer elite team

    Camp Dwyer soldiers military practice

    Camp Dwyer at marines

  • Fob Delaram

    Fob Delaram, full name Forward Operating Base Delaram is a United States military installation located in Afghanistan. The facility is currently being used as a Navy installation. The United States Marine Corps constructed when they needed a camp for their operations in that country. The base was built to accommodate the marine corps personnel as well as for storage of equipment and logistics. This base has been of immense help during the American war on Afghanistan and Iraq. The initial construction of this base was done with temporary structures, with no facilities for airplane landing. However recently, a new runway has been built at the facility to let in air planes bringing in passengers and supplies.

    Fob Delaram Facts

  • Location: Ring Road in Afghanistan
  • Website: Visit Fob Delaram Website ›
  • Latitude: 32.163889
  • Longitude: 63.430833
  • DSN: N/A

    • Some of the humanitarian commodities such as food and medical supplies distributed to the nationals during the war were kept at Fob Delaram before taken out to people. The base also served as a temporary prison at times to keep people captured by the Marine Corps in the war before they are transferred to other prison facilities. Also, some of the refugees of the war were allowed to hide at the camp for a while before they are taken to legal refugee camps.

    Soldiers fully equipped goes to helicopter

    Fob Delaram visitted by comisaf

    Sign of Fob Delaram

    Somewhere near Fob Delaram

    The Marine Corps patrolled the entire waters of the territory to ensure safety of the nation. What usually happens is that, most criminals, especially drug traffickers and smugglers tend to use war-torn countries for their activities because the laws in these nations are already broken down. The personnel at the Fob Delaram ensured that no drug came in through Afghanistan through the waters they patrolled or the nearby lands. They also worked to stop human trafficking agencies who might want to take advantage of the situation. Additionally, they undertook marine rescue operations when there was a disaster in the see or the land closely.

  • Bagram Airfield

    The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing is responsible for running most parts of the Bagram Airfield, which is a designated accommodation facility in the ancient Afghan City. The facility also serves as an airport for landing military as well as civilian airplanes. The Navy takes charge of the other parts of the installation. The base was used as a troops’ operation base for during the Soviet War. It also served as a supplies store during the same war. The base was a target of Soviet soldiers during the war and two of their troops were deployed to attack it. From 1999 onwards, there was contention regarding the control of the Bagram Base between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance. The Taliban constantly bombed the base to ensure that the Northern Alliance does not gain full control. The Northern Alliance on the other hand are said to use be base for announcements speaking to the press. They also attacked Kabul from this base. The initial housing at the base was tents, which have been replaced by plywood structures.

    Bagram Airfield Facts

    • Location: Southeast of Charikar in Parwan province of Afghanistan
    • Website: Visit Bagram Airfield Website ›
    • Latitude: 34.946111
    • Longitude: 69.265
    • DSN: 318-431-2934

    The repair of the runways by the United States and German Army troops has made it a prestigious airport in Bagram. The base also has the main prison where United States prisoners are detained. It has however come under recent attacks for the ill-manner in which prisoners are kept and treated. Prisoners are alleged to be assaulted physically and sexually while others were denied food and sleep. The base is also used as an airport for most military airplanes and civilian ones. A few years ago, former president George W. Bush landed on the facility during a visit to Afghanistan. The landing gear got locked in 2010, causing one of the airbuses to crash into the runway. A documentary of how inmates of the prison facility were abused was produced and has won many awards.

    Aerial Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan

    Aerial Bagram Airfield

    Beautiful look to Bagram Airfield

    C17 has landed at Bagram Airfield