US Military Bases in the Gulf & Middle East

The United States maintains major military bases and access sites across the Gulf and wider Middle East to support regional security partnerships, maritime protection, air operations, and rapid response capabilities. This guide lists the most referenced U.S. facilities in the region, organized by country, with a short explanation of why each location matters.

Note: Base posture can change due to operational requirements. The list below reflects widely reported, major facilities and commonly cited locations as of February 2026. Some sites (especially in conflict zones) may be reduced, consolidated, or transitioned.

Quick List: Major U.S. Bases & Facilities (By Country)

Country	Base / Facility	Type	What it is known for
Bahrain	Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain	Naval HQ	Hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters and supports maritime operations in the Gulf region.
Qatar	Al Udeid Air Base	Air Base / Command Hub	Largest U.S. base in the region; home to key command-and-control functions including the CAOC.
Kuwait	Camp Arifjan	Army / Logistics	Major U.S. Army hub for sustainment and regional support operations.
Kuwait	Ali Al Salem Air Base	Air Base	Key U.S. Air Force presence and operations platform (“The Rock”).
Kuwait	Camp Buehring	Staging Post	Staging post for deployments and a key transit location for U.S. forces.
United Arab Emirates	Al Dhafra Air Base	Air Base	Supports U.S. intelligence, surveillance, refueling, and air missions in the region.
United Arab Emirates	Jebel Ali Port (logistics hub)	Naval Port of Call	Major logistics and port call hub for U.S. Navy ships in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia	Prince Sultan Air Base	Air Base / Air Defense	Important for air defense and deterrence posture; U.S. presence resumed in recent years.
Jordan	Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Azraq)	Air Base	Supports U.S. and coalition air operations in the Levant.
Iraq	Ain al-Asad Air Base	Air Base	Historically used for training, advising, and coalition support missions.
Iraq	Erbil Air Base	Air Base	Key site in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region for training and security coordination.
Oman	Access to airfields (e.g., Thumrait / Masirah)	Access Sites	U.S. access under defense arrangements; used for logistics and contingency support.
Syria	Al-Tanf (posture change)	Former Garrison	U.S. previously maintained a strategic outpost near the Syria–Iraq–Jordan border; posture has shifted.

Bahrain

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain

Widely cited as the home of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters supporting maritime operations across the Gulf region.
Strategically important for shipping lanes, naval logistics, and regional maritime security.

Qatar

Al Udeid Air Base

Often described as the largest U.S. base in the Middle East and a key command hub.
Hosts the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), which provides command and control of airpower throughout the U.S. Central Command area.

Kuwait

Camp Arifjan

Major U.S. Army base supporting logistics and sustainment across the region.

Ali Al Salem Air Base

Important U.S. Air Force operating location in Kuwait.

Camp Buehring

Known as a major staging post and transit hub for deployments.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Al Dhafra Air Base

Frequently cited as a critical U.S. Air Force hub supporting air missions, including reconnaissance and refueling capabilities.

Jebel Ali Port (logistics hub)

Commonly referenced as a major logistics and port-of-call hub for U.S. Navy vessels in the region.

Saudi Arabia

Prince Sultan Air Base

U.S. forces returned to the base in 2019 as part of enhanced regional air defense and deterrence efforts.
Continues to be cited as an important operating location for air defense systems and support aircraft.

Jordan

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Azraq)

A key air base supporting U.S. and coalition operations across the Levant.

Iraq

Ain al-Asad Air Base

Long associated with training, advising, and coalition support missions in western Iraq.

Erbil Air Base

Widely cited as an important facility in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region for coordination and support activities.

Oman

U.S. access sites (Thumrait / Masirah and others)

Oman is often described as providing access to certain airfields under defense arrangements for logistics and contingency support.

Syria (Posture notes)

U.S. posture in Syria has been reported as changing in early 2026, including transitions from certain locations.
Because this can shift quickly, readers should treat Syria-related entries as time-sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East?

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is widely described as the largest U.S. base in the region and hosts major command-and-control functions for air operations.

Which country hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters?

Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

Does the U.S. have bases in the UAE?

Yes. Al Dhafra Air Base is commonly cited as a key U.S. Air Force hub in the UAE, and Jebel Ali Port is frequently referenced as a major logistics hub for U.S. Navy port calls.

Why does the U.S. keep military bases in the Gulf region?

Commonly stated goals include maritime security, defense partnerships, deterrence, counterterrorism support, and rapid response capability to regional crises.

Are U.S. bases in conflict zones permanent?

Not always. Posture can change depending on security and diplomatic conditions. Some locations can be consolidated, reduced, or transitioned over time.