Al Asad Airbase is one of the largest military bases in Iraq, located in the Al Anbar Governorate in western Iraq. The airbase is situated approximately 180 kilometers west of Baghdad, the nation’s capital.

The airbase, originally known as Qadisiyah Airbase, was constructed in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War. It was one of the most important airbases in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s regime, boasting hardened aircraft shelters that were built to withstand a direct hit from a bomb.

Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Al Asad Airbase was captured by Australian Special Forces and U.S. Marines. Afterward, it became a critical location for U.S. and coalition forces during the Iraq War. Its facilities were greatly expanded, and it was used as a logistical hub and staging area for operations in western Iraq.

The base was designed to be a standalone facility, with multiple dining facilities, a hospital, recreational amenities, and housing units. It housed a variety of U.S. and coalition aircraft, and its airfield has two main runways capable of handling heavy military aircraft.

Al Asad Airbase also played a significant role during the fight against ISIS. After U.S. forces returned to Iraq in 2014, the base served as a training site for Iraqi forces and as a location for U.S. advisors.

The base has also been the target of attacks. Notably, in January 2020, Iran launched a missile attack on Al Asad Airbase in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. While the attack resulted in no fatalities, more than 100 U.S. service members were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries from the blast.