- Source: An Numaniyah Air Base
An Numaniyah Airfield (ICAO, ORAN) is a former airfield and military training center in An Numaniyah, Wasit Governorate, Iraq.
History
During the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, An Numaniyah Air Base was used to attack Iran and pro-Iranian villages in Southern Iraq. In the 1990s, garrisoned troops and stationed helicopters located in the air base were claimed to participate in an environmental warfare with the Marsh Arabs by draining wetlands. In early 2003, An Numaniyah Air Base served as the headquarters for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force during the Iraq War. An Numaniyah Air Base likely ceased its operations after the 2003 Iraq War.
= The An Numaniyah Project
=In 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority budgeted $289 million to renovate the military base as a part of phase 1. In January 2004, work was announced to begin soon with the lowered budget of $65.4 million. The considered important project consisted of several renovations on existing buildings and infrastructure as it was needed for the defense of the country. On September 1, 2004, the Iraqi Flag was raised over the training base to mark its opening. An Numiniyah would serve as a training base for three battalions of Iraqi Intervention Force and also as the Iraqi army's 2nd Brigade headquarters.
On June 9, 2005, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing sent a Military Transition Team to help support the training of the 1st Battalion, and also help stand up to the 2nd Brigade of the 7th Iraqi Army Division.
= Downfall and Closure
=In June 2006, the withdrawal of the US troops left behind approximately $1 million worth in equipment. Only 2 months after the withdrawal, Iraq troops experienced food shortages and lack of supplies. This led to officers having to sell power generators in all but the officer's quarters. It was claimed that the quarters were left in disrepair so badly, many preferred to sleep outside, which was one of many factors that led to the closure of the short-lived An Numaniyah Training Base.
Layout
An Numaniyah Airfield occupies a 17 square kilometer site, and is served by a single 9,700 foot paved (12/30) runway.
An Numaniyah Training Base consists of several water treatment facilities, large dining halls with a capacity of 3,000 soldiers each, and living quarters.