Ismailia Air Base (RAF Ismailia)

Ismailia Air Base is located in the Ismailia Governorate of Egypt, approximately 4 kilometers west-northwest of the city of Ismailia and 116 kilometers northeast of Cairo. Established in 1915 by British forces as Moascar, the facility operated under Royal Air Force control from 1935 until 1956. During World War II, the station supported the North African and Western Desert campaigns, hosting both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Ninth Air Force.

Historical operations at the site involved numerous units and aircraft types. The Royal Air Force stationed multiple squadrons at the base between 1915 and 1946, utilizing aircraft including the Fairey Gordon, Hawker Hart, Hawker Demon, Bristol Blenheim, Gloster Gladiator, and Hawker Hurricane. Other types operated from the base included the Vickers Wellesley, Vickers Wellington, and various Royal Aircraft Factory models. In 1938, the airfield served as the departure point for a non-stop distance record flight to Darwin, Australia. United States Army Air Forces units stationed at the base in 1942 included bombardment groups operating B-25 Mitchells and a troop carrier group operating C-47 Skytrains.

Since 1956, the base has been owned by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and operated by the Egyptian Air Force. It currently functions as a helicopter base, housing a unit of Mil Mi-17 helicopters. The facility also facilitates other military movements. Infrastructure includes asphalt surfaces and support facilities for rotary-wing operations.