Muwaffaq Salti Air Base

History

In 1918, during World War I, T. E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, used the historic castle in Azraq and the plains at that site as a base and landing ground for the aircraft supporting the column pushing north towards Syria. The main qualities of the area were its good visibility and fine weather for flying.

In 1976, the area was chosen by the Royal Jordanian Air Force for a major new air base. Construction started that same year. In November 1980, No 1 (Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter) and No 11 Squadrons (F-5E/F Tiger II) were deployed there.

The air base was officially opened on 24 May 1981. It was named after Lieutenant Muwaffaq Salti who died in battle with the Israeli Air Force on 13 November 1966, during the Battle of Samou. Between 1997 and 2007 Mirage F1 squadrons were based there.

Between October 2014 and July 2015 the Belgian Air Component deployed six F-16AM Fighting Falcons under Operation Desert Falcon, later Operation Inherent Resolve, during the international military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

In 2019, the United States began a $143 million expansion of the airbase. The expansion includes a new airlift apron, a personnel recovery and special operations forces apron, a close air support (CAS) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) apron, and a cargo marshaling yard.

In April 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District contracted American International Contractors to build infrastructure on the airbase, including aprons and taxiways, a marshaling yard facility, and support facilities and utilities. Beginning in November 2021, the United States began upgrading the airbase to turn it into a more permanent base, including building a new air traffic control tower.

As part of attacks on Jordan during the 2026 Iran war following a breakdown of the US-Iran ceasefire, the base was targeted with eight ballistic missiles on 9 July, all of which were claimed as intercepted, with no injuries or damage resulting. On 17 July, three US Army soldiers assigned to air defence units were killed by an Iranian strike on the base. On 24 July, the Iranian Army reported targeting US deployments in the airbase. The IRGC claimed that its attacks in July destroyed 20 sites in the airbase. Based on satellite image analysis, BBC Verify has confirmed the destruction of one American AN/TPY-2 radar (a main component of the THAAD air defence) in March 2026, and damages to buildings and structures, including possible drone and aircraft hangars and facilities, during July 2026.

Current use

Since 1997, Jordanian squadrons number 1, 2 and 6 (F-16 Fighting Falcon) have been based there.

The American Government along with other countries has deployed various aircraft there due to the military intervention against ISIS. The base is reported to host several MQ-9 Reaper drones, based on satellite imagery. The base was partly operated by the 407th Air Expeditionary Group.

Units

1st Fighter Squadron - F-16AM/BM MLU M2

The 1st Squadron was formed in 1958 with Hawker Hunters. It was later equipped with F-5s, then Mirage F1s, and now the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which has become RJAF's primary fighter, operating with the 1st, 2nd and 6th Squadrons since 1997.

The squadron’s role has changed over the years from air to ground, air to air and reconnaissance, to air defense and air to ground. It is now, along with the other F-16 squadrons, the main striking force of the RJAF. The 1st Squadron was the first Jordanian fighter squadron and has a rich history. It has participated in all of Jordan's conflicts and has engaged in every air battle that Jordan has fought since the squadron was formed in 1958.

2nd Fighter Squadron - F-16AM/BM MLU M6.5

The 2nd Squadron was formed in 1958 with de Havilland Vampires, then with Hunters, and in 1974 with F-5As and Bs, as an advanced training squadron at King Hussein Air Base, Mafraq. It subsequently flew from Amman and Mafraq as a fighter squadron, then flew again from Mafraq, renamed in 1978 as the King Hussein Air College, with the CASA C-101 as the advanced jet trainer. It is now equipped with the F-16.

The 2nd Squadron has a dual job: training newly graduate pilots on F-16s and supporting the 1st Squadron's operations as required.

The training, which is basically a tactical conversion course, lasts 8 months, during which pilots fly 76 flights, averaging 85.7 hours flight time.

6th Fighter Squadron - F-16AM/BM MLU M3

The 6th Squadron is identical to the 1st Squadron in mission and equipment.