Shamsi Airfield (Bhandari Airstrip)

Shamsi Airfield, also referred to as Bhandari Airstrip, is located in the Washuk District of Balochistan, Pakistan, situated in a desert valley of the Central Makran Range. The Government of Pakistan leased the site to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1992. The UAE upgraded the facility to a jet-capable airfield and renamed it Shamsi.

In October 2001, the airfield was sub-leased to the United States for joint operations by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the United States Air Force (USAF). Infrastructure improvements during this period included the installation of two permanent and one portable hangars for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, the construction of support and residential facilities, and the recarpeting of the asphalt runway to accommodate heavy military aircraft. The facility hosted Predator drones and supported logistical operations using C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

The United States vacated the installation in December 2011 following a directive from the Pakistani government. The airfield is currently owned and operated by the Government of Pakistan under the Ministry of Defence. It is managed by the Pakistan Army, the Frontier Constabulary, and the Civil Aviation Authority. The base hosts Pakistan Army units and operates Mil Mi-17 helicopters.