Muthenna Air Base (Mohammed Alaa Air Base)

Muthenna Air Base, formerly Baghdad West Aerodrome and Al-Muthenna Airport, is located in central Baghdad, Iraq. The site served as the terminal for the Royal Air Force Cairo—Baghdad Desert Air Mail service beginning in 1921 and officially opened as a civilian airport in 1933. In 1970, following the opening of Baghdad International Airport, the facility transitioned to a military air base.

Under the “Super-Base” project in the mid-1970s, the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) reconstructed the installation. Development between 1980 and 1983 included the construction of a new apron and hangars. The former civilian terminal was repurposed as a VIP terminal. Infrastructure at the site included steel hangars, administrative offices, and workshops.

Muthenna Air Base hosted the headquarters of the Central Air Defence Sector and served as the primary base for the IQAF navigation school and transport squadrons. Stationed units included No 31 Transport Squadron and the Special VIP-Squadron of the Iraqi Army Air Corps (IrAAC). The base operated transport aircraft and hosted Westland Commandos, SA.330 Puma, and MBB Bo.105 helicopters. Detachments of Mi-25s from the 4th Squadron IrAAC and MiG-29s from No. 5 Squadron IrAF also operated from the facility.

The base was targeted during the Iran-Iraq War in 1980 and again during the 1991 Gulf War, suffering extensive damage. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S.-led Coalition forces utilized the site as a forward operating base. The base was subsequently rebuilt and returned to Iraqi Air Force control, serving today as a key transport and training hub. Current units include the 23rd Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130E/J-30), 33rd Transport Squadron (An-32B), 87th Surveillance Squadron (Beech 350/350ER), and 204th Training Squadron (T-50IQ).