The visit of the TNI Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono to Al Dhafra Air Base (Lanud) in the United Arab Emirates on May 24, 2023, received great attention from netizens, especially when the TNI Commander saw the Mirage 2000-9 in person, a type of fighter jet that was widely discussed because of the possibility of become the arsenal of the Indonesian Air Force. However, apart from that, there is something interesting to observe from Al Dhafra Air Base.
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From Washington's perspective, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) clearly does not receive the same 'treatment' as Israel, but this Oil-Rich Country has the status of an 'ally' of the United States and NATO.
It may be that the UAE's 'non-aligned' policy, which establishes defense cooperation and strategic sectors with China and Russia, has resulted in the US limiting the UAE, one of which is reflected in the fact that the UAE has not been allowed to buy F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets.
However, the UAE has a close defense relationship with the US and NATO, especially France. One manifestation of the close relationship between the UAE, the US and France, can be seen from the presence at Al Dhafra Air Base.
Al Dhafra airfield
Al Dhafra Airfield is only 32 km south of the city of Abu Dhabi. Juridically, this airfield is owned by the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and operated by the UAE Air Force - United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF). Even so, because there is a relationship of mutual need between the three countries, the Al Dhafra Air Base also has the status of an air base for the US and France.
Facing the same 'opponent', the UAE, the US and France consider Al Dhafra to be the ideal base to respond to any upheaval in the Middle East, especially in dealing with the issues of Iran, Afghanistan and ISIS.
From its history, Al Dhafra Air Base was built in 1969 by the British. After the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, control of the air base was handed over to the government of the United Arab Emirates. Since then, Al Dhafra Air Base has undergone development and expansion to accommodate its important role in defense and security as well as military cooperation with partner countries.
The air base hosts aircraft and military personnel from various countries, including the United States, France and other countries in bilateral defense cooperation.
For the UAE Air Force
Al Dhafra Air Base is the headquarters of the Western Air Command. The airfield houses the UAE Air Force Fighter Wing – consisting of the 1st Shaheen Squadron, 2nd Shaheen Squadron, and 3rd Shaheen Squadron equipped with Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Desert Falcon fighter jets). Apart from that, Al Dhafra Air Force Base is also home to the 71st and 76th Fighter Squadrons which operate Dassault Mirage 2000-9EAD/DAD fighter jets.
For the US Air Force
Al Dhafra houses the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing (380 AEW). The mission of the 380 AEW is to conduct combat operations to provide all-weather intelligence at altitude, surveillance, reconnaissance, airborne command and control and aerial refueling for military operations against ISIS and NATO-led operations in Afghanistan.
380 AEW are known to have operated the F-15C Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-22A Raptor, KC-10A Extender, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), U-2S Dragon Lady, EQ-4 and RQ-4 Global Eagle drones . The first US F-35 Lightning II to be deployed to the Middle East was stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base in April 2019
For the French Air Force
On September 1, 2008, the French Air Force opened its own military settlement in the northwest corner of the base. The French Air Force in Al Dhafran operates Mirage 2000-5F fighters.
On 24 January 2022, Al Dhafra Airbase was targeted by a Houthi Zulfiqar ballistic missile in retaliation for the UAE's involvement in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War. Two missiles aimed at the base were intercepted and destroyed by US Patriot missiles.