Abu Dhabi - Al Dhafra AB

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ICAO Code OMAM/DHF
Last Validated
City Abu Dhabi
Position 24°14'54"N 054°32'52"E
Runway(s) 13/31
Elevation 76 ft

General

Just south of the Abu Dhabi (Aby Zaby) city outskirts this futuristic airbase, also known as Muqatra, lies in the desert and keeps growing. The UAE's most modern military hardware is based here: F-16s, Mirage 2000s and Apache helicopters. Along with these prime forces the US military maintain a heavy presence at Al Dhafra, most of all with tanker aircraft. Finally, the French air force keeps a number of Rafales and Mirage 2000s at Al Dhafra. The base is blessed with near perfect flying conditions (apart from the heat) and its layout is totally aimed at rapid deployment of airborne forces. Be aware, plane spotting is neither understood nor appreciated in Arab countries!

Layout

This gigantic airbase is being developed without constraints, resulting in a highly complex taxiway and dispersal structure serving two parallel runways of 3600m each. As an indication of the sheer size of it all: the smallest sections of taxiway between the northern hangar/dispersal area and the major taxiway north of 13L/31R easily hold several KC-135s - each. Use of the new southern runway is reserved for the UAE forces.

Getting There

For most people flying in will not be an option, so what remains is transport by road. From either Abu Dhabi Int'l Airport or the city centre, the drive is only about 25km and divided highways lead directly to the field.

Around the Airport

1South side

First and foremost: think twice before trying your luck with UAE, US and French security forces at the same time. Having said that, a local road leading south into the desert comes relatively close (some 1,5km) to the touch-down point of 31L. Logging traffic using the southern runway should certainly be possible here and some photography as well. However, there is no shelter from curious looks. Traffic on the north runway might be within reach as well from this road.

2North side

Small rest areas on either side of the Emirates Highway are some 2,5km from the touch-down point of 13L. Road intersections and unpaved tracks along the highway make stopping closer to the centrelines possible too. With the same restrictions as for spot 1, spotting should be possible from these locations and larger aircraft must come within reach of telephoto lenses.

Frequencies

240.900Ground
292.400 / 118.300Tower
119.600Ground / Tower
270.000 / 124.400Abu Dhabi Approach
254.800 / 124.500Arrival/Departure
264.500Base Ops
308.350Ops/Comand Post

Based Operators

UAE forces
I Shaheen sqMirage 2000 DAD/EAD/-9
II Shaheen sqMirage 2000RAD
16sqF-16E/F
US forces
Army Aviation GroupAH-64A
763rd EARS det.KC-135
French AF
SAL56Mirage 2000-5F
Rafale C
SPA38Mirage 2000-5F
Rafale C

Order of Battle United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Air Force
UAE - Joint Aviation Command (UAE Army and Navy)
United Arab Emirates Police Air Wings
United Arab Emirates VIP Transport Units

Other Airfields

Abu Dhabi - Al Dhafra AB  
Abu Dhabi - Bateen AB  
Abu Dhabi - Intl
Al Ain  
Dubai  
Dubai - Minhad AB  
Fujairah
Ras al Khaimah
Ras al Khaimah - Downtown Heliport  
Sharjah  
Umm al Quwain - CLOSED  

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