Al Dhafra Air Base

Al Dhafra Air Base (ADAB) is a military installation situated approximately 32 km south of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Constructed in 1983, the base has been operational since its establishment and serves as an American-Emirati joint military complex. It is owned by the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF), serving as the headquarters for the Western Air Command. The base is located at an elevation of 23 meters (75 feet) above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways, both designated 13L/31R and 13R/31L, each measuring 3,661 meters (12,011 feet) in length.

Al Dhafra Air Base hosts several military units. The UAE Air Force's Fighter Wing is stationed here, comprising the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shaheen Squadrons, which operate the Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Desert Falcon. Additionally, the 71st and 76th Fighter Squadrons, operating the Dassault Mirage 2000-9EAD/DAD, are based at Al Dhafra. The United States Air Force's 380th Air Expeditionary Wing (380 AEW) has been established at the base since January 25, 2002, conducting combat operations for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, airborne command and control, and aerial refueling, supporting operations such as Inherent Resolve. The 380 AEW has operated various aircraft, including the F-15C Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-22A Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, KC-10A Extender, E-3 Sentry, U-2S Dragon Lady, EQ-4, and RQ-4 Global Hawk. The French Air and Space Force also maintains a presence, with the Escadron de Chasse 1/7 Provence operating the Dassault Rafale from a military settlement opened in 2008. The base has been targeted by Houthi ballistic missiles in 2022, which were intercepted by US Patriot missiles.