Military Bases in Qatar
Prep for your move to Qatar with this guide.
Air Force Bases
Al Udeid Air Base
Located in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
Al Udeid Air Base in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, is a major hub for the U.S. Air Force and coalition partners in the Middle East. This installation is known for its strategic airlift and aerial refueling missions, supporting operations across the region.
Qatar’s U.S. Military Stronghold
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Qatar, Al Udeid Air Base, located southwest of Doha, is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, serving as a critical hub for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations. Hosting over 10,000 U.S. troops, this base supports air and ground missions across the region. This guide to military bases in Qatar offers insights into Al Udeid’s role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in this strategic Gulf ally.
Historical Context
Qatar’s military facilities emerged as U.S. hubs post-Gulf War. Al Udeid Air Base, constructed in 1991 with Qatar’s $1 billion investment, began U.S. operations in 2000, becoming CENTCOM’s main air base in 2003 after shifting from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, per,,. Camp As Sayliyah, established in 2000 near Doha, served as a prepositioning site for CENTCOM equipment during Operation Iraqi Freedom, per. Al Mirqab Military Base, a WWII-era British outpost, supported U.S. logistics until its 1970s closure, per web data. The 1991 U.S.-Qatar Defense Cooperation Agreement, expanded in 2014, formalized U.S. access, per. A 2024 agreement extends U.S. presence at Al Udeid to 2035, per,,.
Economic Impact
Al Udeid Air Base drives significant economic activity in Doha. Hosting 10,000 U.S. personnel, it contributes over $1.8 billion annually through logistics contracts, local hires, and off-base spending, per,. Qatar’s $8 billion investment since 2003, including a $1.8 billion expansion in 2019, supports 2,000 local jobs, per,,. Camp As Sayliyah employs 500, adding $100 million to Doha’s economy, per web estimates. Doha International Airport, used for U.S. airlift, sustains 300 jobs, per. For families, Al Udeid offers 2,000 housing units, a DoDDS school (American School of Doha, private), and TRICARE clinics, with MWR programs like desert tours and Doha’s Souq Waqif visits, per,.
Key Military Facilities
Al Udeid Air Base (Doha): Hosts the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing with over 100 aircraft, including F-35A Lightning IIs and KC-135 Stratotankers, and the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), managing 30% of CENTCOM air missions, per,,.
Camp As Sayliyah (Doha): A CENTCOM prepositioning site for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, storing equipment for 3,000 troops, per.
Doha International Airport (Doha): Supports U.S. Air Force airlift with C-17 Globemaster IIIs for the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, per.
Strategic Importance
Al Udeid Air Base is the nerve center for U.S. operations in the Middle East. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing operates F-35As, B-52 Stratofortresses, and KC-135s, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve with 14,700 sorties annually, per,. The CAOC coordinates 25% of CENTCOM’s air missions, including ISR and close air support, per,. However, 2024 restrictions prohibit U.S. strikes on Iran-backed groups from Al Udeid, shifting some assets to Al Dhafra, UAE, per,,. Camp As Sayliyah stores 1,500 vehicles for rapid deployment, per. Doha International Airport supports 500 annual airlift missions, per. A 2024 cargo pad upgrade enhances Al Udeid’s rotary-wing capacity, per,. Unconfirmed 2025 drone incursion reports had no operational impact, per government sources.
Notable Distinctions
Al Udeid Air Base, at 5,000 acres with a 15,000-foot runway, is the largest U.S. base in the Middle East, hosting 10,000 troops and the CAOC, per,,. Camp As Sayliyah is CENTCOM’s largest equipment prepositioning site, with $1 billion in assets, per. Doha International Airport supports Qatar’s F-15QA squadrons alongside U.S. airlift, per. Al Udeid’s 2,000 housing units, American School of Doha access, and MWR amenities like a swimming pool and gym, alongside Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, offer exceptional quality of life, per,.
U.S. service members on PCS to Qatar or TDY in Qatar will find mission-critical roles and modern comforts at Al Udeid Air Base. From Doha’s bustling Corniche to the cultural richness of Souq Waqif, Qatar’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and vibrant experiences for military families.