Al Minhad Air Base
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates |
| Location | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| Status | â—‰ Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Operating Organization | United Arab Emirates Air Force |
| Units |
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Description
Al Minhad Air Base is a military installation located 15 miles south of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates Air Force operates the facility under the authority of Central Air Command. It functions as a logistics and transport hub for coalition forces in the Middle East.
The base hosts multiple international military units. It serves as the headquarters for the Australian Defence Force Joint Task Force 633, which maintains a facility named Camp Baird. Australia began operating AP-3C Orion aircraft from the site in 2003 and established its regional headquarters there in 2008. The British Royal Air Force operates No. 906 Expeditionary Air Wing, which was established at the base in 2013. In March 2024, the British military opened Donnelly Lines, a permanent facility containing a headquarters and accommodation. Historically, the Canadian Forces operated a forward logistics facility known as Camp Mirage at the base between 2001 and 2010. The armed forces of the Netherlands and New Zealand have also deployed assets to the installation.
Infrastructure at the site includes a parallel taxiway and dedicated facilities for tenant forces. Aircraft types that operate from the base include Australian Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets, Boeing E-7A Wedgetails, and Airbus KC-30As. The Royal Air Force utilizes the installation for aircraft including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Airbus KC2 Voyager, Boeing C-17A Globemaster, and Lockheed C-130J Hercules. The UAE Air Force inventory at the site has included the BAe Hawk 102. The base supports long-haul transport and regional supply chain operations for coalition partners.