King Khalid Air Base
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| King Khalid Air Base | |
|---|---|
| Khamis Mushait, 'Asir Region in Saudi Arabia | |
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File:Saudi Arabia location map.svg
 King Khalid Air Base
Shown within Saudi Arabia
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Type | Air Base |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Royal Saudi Arabian Armed Forces |
| Operator | Royal Saudi Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1960 |
| In use | 1960-present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | RSAF Wing 5 |
| Airfield information | |
| Identifiers | ICAO: OEKM |
| Elevation | 2,050 metres (6,726 ft) AMSL |
King Khalid Air Base is an airbase of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) sited in the south-west of Saudi Arabia, near Khamis Mushait.
Contents
History
The airbase, with code KMX, has a 12,400 ft (3,780 m) paved runway without customs facilities. The base was designed and built by United States Army and United States Air Force (USAF) engineers in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and has McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle service facilities.[1]
Gulf war
During the Gulf War in 1991, the USAF had a base here from which they launched bombers on Baghdad, Iraq.[2] On the opening night of the war Vickers VC10 tankers from No. 101 Squadron RAF launched here refueled Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR1's.[3]
Current use
- RSAF Wing 5:[4]
- No. 6 Squadron RSAF with McDonnell Douglas F-15S Strike Eagle's
- No. 15 Squadron RSAF with the Northrop F-5E/F
- No. 55 Squadron RSAF with F-15S Strike Eagle's
- No. 99 Squadron RSAF with the Eurocopter AS532M Cougar
- No. 14 Squadron RSAF Detachment with the Bell 412EP
