Muwaffaq Salti Air Base


Muwaffaq Salti Air Base - Azraq is a Royal Jordanian Air Force air base located in Azraq, Zarqa Governorate.

History

In 1918, during World War I, T.E. Lawrence used the historic castle in Azraq and the plains at that site as a base for use as a landing ground for the aircraft which were supporting the column pushing north towards Syria. The main qualities of the area were its good visibility and fine weather for flying.
In 1976, the area was chosen by the Royal Jordanian Air Force for a major new air base. Construction started that same year and in November, 1980, No 1 and No 11 squadrons were deployed there.
The air base was officially opened on May 24, 1981. It was named after Lieutenant Muwaffaq Salti who died in battle with the Israeli Air Force on November 13, 1966, during the Battle of Samou. It was initially home to Nos 1 and 25 Mirage squadrons. Between 1997 and 2007 Mirage squadrons were based here.
Between October 2014 and July 2015 the Belgian Air Component deployed six Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon's here as well under Operation Desert Falcon due to the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
In 2019 the United States began a $143 million expansion of the airbase. The expansion includes a new airlift apron, a personnel recovery and special operations forces apron, and a close air support and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance apron as well as a cargo marshaling yard.

Current use

Since 1997 No's 1, 2 and 6 squadrons have been based there.
The American Government along with other countries has deployed various aircraft there due to the military intervention against ISIL. The base is reported to host several MQ-9 Reaper drones, based on satellite imagery. The base is partly operated by the 407th Air Expeditionary Group.