| Muharraq Airfield Manama IAP RAF Bahrain | |
| Icao: | OBBI |
| Type: | Military |
| Operator: | United States Navy |
| Location: | Muharraq |
| Used: | 1943-present |
| Elevation-F: | 2m (07feet) |
| Elevation-M: | 2 |
| Pushpin Map: | Bahrain |
| Pushpin Label: | Muharraq Airfield |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Bahrain |
| R1-Number: | 12R/30L |
| R1-Length-F: | 0 |
| R1-Length-M: | 0 |
| R2-Number: | 12L/30R |
| R2-Length-F: | 0 |
| R2-Length-M: | 0 |
Muharraq Airfield is a military base located adjacent to Bahrain International Airport.[1] It is run by the United States Navy (USN) and usually ships supplies in and out of the airport with many of them from other countries as well. The USN, the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Ministry of Interior, and others run the security at the airfield. Often referred to as the nearby city of Manama, Muharraq Airfield was the last stop for most US troops being sent to fight in the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), including with the multinational International Security Assistance Force.
It was previously established by the Royal Air Force as RAF Bahrain (later changed to RAF Muharraq) in April 1943 and remained in use until 1971 when Bahrain declared independence.
The Royal Air Force's history with Bahrain began in 1924, with flights originating from Shaibah Air Base in Iraq. Bahrain's strategic importance to the British led to the signing of a civil air agreement with the King of Bahrain in 1934.
The Royal Air Force established a base there in the area as RAF Bahrain on 22 May 1943, as part of RAF Iraq Command. It was renamed RAF Muharraq in 1963. From 15 September 1967 to 8 August 1969 Air Forces Gulf Communication Squadron RAF flew from the base. The base was also used by Search and Rescue Flight RAF Muharraq, based there from the mid-sixties to 1971.
The following squadrons were here at some point:
The base was formally closed on 15 December 1971.[2] [3]
The base was used by a detachment of Vickers VC10 tankers from No. 101 Squadron RAF during the Gulf War training with Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR1's.[4]
From May 1997 a detachment of VC10s returned supporting Operation Jural and later Operation Bolton over Iraq.[5]
It became part of No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group in the Middle East.[6] Commanded by a Squadron Leader (RAF) until 2015, the current ranking Officer is a Warrant Officer First Class (Supply Chain) RN.
The base is also used by Mine countermeasures helicopters patrolling the Persian Gulf such as HM-15's Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon's.[7]