Al Asad Airbase

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Al Asad Airbase

IATA: n/a - ICAO: ORAA
Summary
Airport type		Military
Elevation AMSL		618 ft (188 m)
Coordinates		33°47′08″N, 42°26′28″E
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
09R/27L	13,123	4,000	Asphalt
09L/27R	13,123	4,000	Asphalt
08/26	10,125	3,086	Grass

Al Asad Airbase (ICAO: ORAA) is the largest US military base in the largely Sunni western Iraq (Al Anbar Province). It is currently home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Other major tenants include the Regimental Combat Team 7, 226th Area Support Group, 630th Corps Support Group, and the 32nd Multifunctional Medical BN (MMB) Forward Distribution Team . It was formerly an Iraqi Air Force Air Base.

The base was initially secured by the Australian SAS and was turned over to the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment in May of 2003. 3d ACR was relieved by the Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in March of 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.

Abandoned Iraqi FT-7A in front of Al Asad ATC Tower

Unlike most bases in Iraq, Al Asad offers amenities including a recently opened 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. The base is a common destination for celebrities and politicians visiting American troops in Iraq much like Camp Anaconda. 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. The Marines have nicknamed Al Asad "Camp Cupcake" due to its conveniences that most other areas lack.

The oasis located on the base is 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.

The controversial song Hadji Girl was recorded on Al Asad in March of 2006.