Ben Guerir Air Base
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇲🇦 Morocco |
| Location | 🇲🇦 Morocco |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Year built | 1951 |
| Operating Organization | Royal Moroccan Air Force |
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Location & Details
| Coordinates | 32.1306°N, -7.9108°E |
| Runways |
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Description
Ben Guerir Air Base is located in the Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco, situated 58 kilometres north of Marrakesh near the town of Ben Guerir. The United States Strategic Air Command (SAC) established the installation in 1951 as part of a construction program in French North Africa. The base was configured to support the deployment of nuclear-armed Boeing B-47 Stratojets and Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighters. In 1956, the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing staged its RB-47E force at the base for a 90-day temporary duty assignment. SAC maintained operations at the site until 1963, during which time the base was managed by the 3926th Air Base Group (later Combat Support Group) under the 5th and 4310th Air Divisions.
In July 1988, the facility was designated as a Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) site for the Space Shuttle program. It supported 83 shuttle missions before its deactivation from this role in 2005.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force currently operates the base. It hosts an Escadre de Chasse (Fighter Wing) comprising three squadrons: the Falcon, Spark, and Viper squadrons. These units operate General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcons. Infrastructure at the installation includes a single runway oriented in a north-south direction.