Ali Al Salem Air Base

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Ali Al Salem is an airfield situated in Kuwait approximately 23 miles from the Iraqi border. The airfield is owned by the Kuwaiti Government and during Operation Telic hosted the Royal Air Force, American aircraft and US Marines along with their thousands of support staff. Since that operation, the base has been returned to the control of the Kuwaiti Government.

The RAF operated out of AAS from Winter 1998, just before Op Desert Fox. The RAF detachment consisted of various non-formed units and a rotating Squadron of Panavia Tornado GR4s. The base was rapidly expanded in early 2003 to base the Joint Helicopter Command assets prior to start of Op Telic aka Iraqi Freedom.

During the war, the RAF amalgamated 5 Tornado GR4 Squadrons based at AAS to form the Ali Al Salem Combat Air Wing, this was Commanded by Wing Commander Paddy Teakle OBE (OC 31 'Goldstars' Squadron). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his leadership.

The RAF had relocated to Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar by 2004.

This base now hosts several United States Air Force tenant units. They're ongoing mission is support of Iraqi Freedom. Their main task is for refuel, repair and provide general support for aircraft in-transit to Iraq.

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