Al-Asad Airbase

Al Asad Airbase
Al Asad Airbase
	IATA: none; ICAO: ORAA / KQAJ; LID: MAA;
Summary
Airport type	Military: Airbase
Operator	United States Marine Corps
Location	Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Elevation AMSL	618 ft / 188 m
Coordinates	33°47′08.19″N 42°26′28.32″E / 33.7856083°N 42.4412000°E
Runways
	no ILS

Al Asad Airbase (ICAO: ORAA / KQAJ) (once known as Qadisiyah Airbase) is the largest US military airbase in the largely Sunni western Iraq Province of Al Anbar Province. It is currently home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Other major tenants include the Regimental Combat Team 5, Base Command Group, 371st Sustainment Brigade (-), MWSG-37, MACG-38, and MAG-29. Al Asad also features a compound for the United States Navy Seabees. Seabee's are a Naval Construction Force currently helping to rebuild infrastructure in Iraq.

It was formerly an Iraqi Air Force Airbase. In Arabic, Al Asad means the "The Lion".

Airbase after 2003

Graphic depiction of Al Asad's location

The base was initially secured by the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and was turned over to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in May 2003. 3rd ACR was relieved by the Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in March 2004. Al Asad has become the largest Coalition base in western Iraq and the equivalent of Baghdad's Green Zone out west.

Al Asad is a major convoy hub hosting hundreds of fuel and supply trucks every day. Huge shipments of fuel are commonly run along the dangerous routes coming out of Jordan and despite insurgent attempts a majority of these convoys arrive at their destinations untouched.

Like other large bases in Iraq, Al Asad offers amenities including an indoor swimming pool, Post Exchange, Burger King, Pizza Hut, a Subway Restaurant and a Green Beans Coffee Shop. The Base Theater is undergoing renovation and is expected to open soon; meanwhile its lobby is the home to the Subway and Green Beans retail locations. Most of the housing on base are 'tin cans', small trailer type containers. Some of the original barracks still remain, however, and are used as well. Overflow tents are used when required, such as transition periods, which can nearly double the number of troops on the base. The base is a common destination for celebrities and politicians visiting American troops in Iraq much like Camp Anaconda. Some past visitors include Chuck Norris, and Toby Keith. While the towns and routes near Al Asad are as dangerous as anywhere else in Iraq, the base itself is rarely attacked due to its secluded location. Some Marines have nicknamed Al Asad "Camp Cupcake" due to its conveniences that most other areas lack.

The oasis located on the base is mistakenly known as "Abraham's Well", and is purported to have been a stopping during the journey of Abraham recounted in the biblical book of Genesis. Abraham's well, Mamre, is actually in ancient Cannan.

The controversial song Hadji Girl was recorded on Al Asad in 2005.

On September 3 2007 (Labor Day), President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and a Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace visited Al Asad and spent Labor Day with the Servicemembers deployed to the base.