El Boulaida/Blida
El Boulaida/Blida (ICAO DAAB) is an active military air base in Algeria, operated by Algeria. It has 1 runway (1,807 m). Home to the 11th Infantry Brigade, No. 326 Wing RAF, the 97th Bomb Group, the 342nd Bomb Squadron and 1 other unit.
Facility Details
| Operating Country | 🇩🇿 Algeria |
| Location | 🇩🇿 Algeria |
| Status | Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Units & aircraft |
11th Infantry BrigadeNo. 326 Wing RAF97th Bomb Group342nd Bomb Squadron414th Bomb Squadron
|
| Coordinates | 36.5039°N, 2.8144°E |
| Elevation | 163 m (535 ft) |
| ICAO code | DAAB |
| Runways |
07/25 · 1,807 m (5,928 ft) · Asphalt
|
Description
Blida Airport (DAAB) is a military airfield located in Blida, Algeria. During World War II, the site was captured by the British Army 11th Infantry Brigade on November 8, 1942, during Operation Torch. Following the arrival of a flight of Grumman Martlets from HMS Victorious, the French Air Commander reached an agreement allowing Allied aircraft to utilize the base.
By November 11, 1942, the Royal Air Force No. 326 Wing arrived at the facility. The wing operated four squadrons of Bristol Bisleys for night bombing missions against Axis objectives. In December 1942, the United States Army Air Forces 97th Bomb Group utilized the base for its 342nd and 414th Bomb Squadrons. These units conducted strike operations against the Tunis docks before transferring to Biskra on December 14, 1942.
The airfield underwent an infrastructure repavement project in 2012.
- AUG 132026 Updated Runway designations, surfaces and lengths recorded
- JAN 192026 Created Page created: El Boulaida/Blida (DAAB); then name updated