Shindand Air Base

The Soviet Armed Forces began building an airfield near the town of Shindand in 1961 and made heavy use of the base during the Soviet–Afghan War. The Soviet Air Forces’ 129th, 217th, and 274th Fighter-Bomber Regiments were deployed at various times.{{Cite web | title=217th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment | url=https://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/shap/217apib.htm | access-date=2025-01-01 | website=www.ww2.dk}} The Afghan Air Force’s 335th Mixed Air Regiment and 355th Fighter–Bomber Aviation Regiment was additionally stationed at the airfield with 48 Sukhoi Su-7BMs, with the 232nd Air Regiment attaching a squadron of Mil Mi-8 helicopters to the airfield.https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP88T00096R000200260002-1.pdf Control of the base was taken over from President Mohammad Najibullah by Mujahideen forces of the Islamic State of Afghanistan. They were forced to abandon the base in 1997 after the Taliban took over the country, and the runway sustained massive damage during bombing when coalition forces initially entered Afghanistan in 2002. It was then taken by the 3rd Brigade, Central Corps, Afghan National Army, with advisors from the U.S. Army, in August 2004 when the country was under the Karzai administration. Elements of the 3/4 CAV of the 25th Infantry Division arrived two weeks later to reinforce this force.

File:Afghan Mi-17 on the ramp in Shindand-2011.jpg Mi-17 helicopter sits on the ramp at Shindand Air Base in 2011.]]

File:Perimeter fence at Shindand Air Base in 2012.jpg at Shindand Air Base, which has 52 guard towers and was completed by the USACE]]

File:Wastewater treatment plant at FOB Shindand.jpg, also completed by the USACE]]

In 2010, the runway of the base was refurbished so that it is able to support all military aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster III.[http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/western-afghanistan-air-base-ready-for-partners-to-take-flight.html Western Afghanistan Air Base Ready for Partners to Take Flight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708115527/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/western-afghanistan-air-base-ready-for-partners-to-take-flight.html |date=2013-07-08 }}, NATO Airmen from the 809th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron. The Red Horse personnel built two separate sets of parking aprons, aircraft shelters, and maintenance facilities at this location and installed all of the needed utilities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.120thairliftwing.ang.af.mil/News/story/id/123256422/|title=News|website=www.120thairliftwing.ang.af.mil}} The 5/158 established Helicopter Parking in 2009/2010.

In mid-2011, an expansion of the base was completed which tripled its size. Construction was scheduled to begin on a new {{convert|1.3|mi|adj=on}} NATO training runway in early 2012.Lt. Col. Joe DelCampo, [https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123263595/ Shindand Air Base triples in size], 12 July 2011; alt link [https://archive.today/20120113165508/http://ntm-a.com/wordpress2/archives/5348] This was canceled or suspended.

The USACE added an additional {{convert|56,000|m2|sp=us}} of apron and taxiways capable of handling large strategic lift aircraft such as C-17s in 2012. A {{convert|1,200|m2|sp=us|adj=on}} cargo terminal, a {{convert|790|m2|sp=us|adj=on}} passenger terminal, and a fire suppression system with nearly {{convert|600,000|L|sp=us}} of water were also added to the air base.[http://www.aed.usace.army.mil/AES/TAS-NR12-01-14.asp South District turns over Shindand strategic airlift apron, cargo and passenger terminals] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225145154/http://www.aed.usace.army.mil/AES/TAS-NR12-01-14.asp |date=2013-02-25}}, 14 Jan 2012{{Cite web|url=http://ntm-a.com/wordpress2/archives/5814|title=Shindand AB ushers in new strategic taxiway}}

Supplying U.S. Army soldiers in Regional Command West, in March 2011, the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was replaced by the 298th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.Petty Officer 1st Class John Pearl, [http://www.dvidshub.net/news/66943/298th-cssb-takes-command-afghanistan 298th CSSB Takes Command in Afghanistan]{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/isafmedia/5519573151/|title=298th CSSB Takes Command in Afghanistan|date=March 12, 2011|via=Flickr}} In January 2012, the 298th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was replaced by the 365th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (Mississippi Army Reserve).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/82251/task-force-choctaw-assumes-sustainment-mission-west|title=Task Force Choctaw assumes sustainment mission in West|website=DVIDS}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.274946572559608.75271.126140340773566&type=3|title=298th RIP/TOA Ceremony}}

Prior to summer 2011 base security was run by US host units 5/158 (12th CAB) as well as hired Afghan contractors. An Air Force Security Forces ESFS was not officially stood up, but nevertheless manned by a HQ unit of the 820th BDG and airmen sourced from several bases around summer 2011. In December 2011, members of Bravo Battery, 1/134 Field Artillery, were sourced to take the base defense mission mixed with a reduced contingent of Air Force Security Forces to create Task Force Griffin. Consisting of 240 Army and Air Force personnel and 350 Afghan security contractors conducting base defense operations in western Afghanistan. A small team of 15 soldiers from Bravo Battery conducted the first ever American/Italian joint operation in the RC West. The same 15-person team was the first established tactical security detail for OSI's Expeditionary Detachment 2416, Taskforce Grey (Ghost). The lead OSI Special Agent for this team would go on to be awarded the Bronze Star.

During the late 2000s through the end of 2014, the Mongolian national army played a role in base security through the use of U.S. MRAPs, fortified guard posts and foot patrols. The Mongolian army worked closely alongside ISAF and NATO forces during their occupation of the base.

In the fall of 2011, Bravo Battery from the 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, 37th IBCT, deployed to Shindand as Task Force Griffin (Task Force Roc). They provided base security, carried out patrol and assessment missions, checkpoint control and flight line security for the base.{{cite web |title=Ohio Army National Guard's Task Force Roc takes over security duties in Afghanistan |url=https://www.ong.ohio.gov/stories/2011/december/122811_taskforce.html }} A squad consisting of 14 personnel from the Task Force, known as Rogue Squad, provided the tactical security element for the USAF Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment 2416, Task Force Grey, during outside-the-wire counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations.

On 27 February 2012, advisers renamed the 'base-in-a-box' portion of the base to Camp Estelle, in dedication to Air Force Major Raymond Estelle II, who lost his life 27 April 2011, during a shooting incident at the Afghan Command and Control Center in the Afghanistan air force headquarters at the Kabul International Airport.[https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123293177/ Shindand AB dedicates area to fallen air advisor], US Air Force

In the summer of 2012, the 3rd Battalion, C & D Company 144th Infantry regiment from the 56th BCT, 36 Infantry Division deployed to Afghanistan (RC West) as Task Force Bowie. TF Bowie provided Battalion Command Base Security, including but not limited to presences/combat patrols, assessment missions, checkpoint control and flight line security for Shindand Airbase and surrounding areas.

In 2013, the 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery Regiment, deployed to Shindand as Task Force Granite. Task Force Granite was responsible for base security. They provided Base Security Battalion Command, and carried out patrol and assessment missions, checkpoint control and flight line security for the base. The 1/214's B Battery also provided the tactical security element for the USAF Office of Special Investigation's Expeditionary Detachment 2416, Task Force Grey during outside-the-wire counterthreat operations.

Between 2012 and 2014 Shindand air base was used for U.S. led undergraduate pilot training of the Afghan Air Force.

The U.S. military Crash, Fire, and Rescue which had officially started up in 2009, closed in November 2014, switching to contractors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ShindandCRFA|title=Facebook}} Shindand was home to the 3rd Wing of the Afghan Air Force until August 2021.Resolute Support Mission, [http://www.rs.nato.int/article/news/shindand-undergraduate-pilot-training-class-begins-flying-for-the-second-time-in-thirty-years.html Shindand Undergraduate Pilot Training Class], NATO, 2013, accessed 2015.

For several years, the U.S. Air Force's 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group operated at the base supporting the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. The base may also have been used in the past by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for surveillance missions over western Afghanistan that included use of the RQ-170 drone.John Walcott, "[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-12/iran-shows-downed-spy-drone-as-u-s-assesses-technology-loss.html Iran Shows Downed Spy Drone as U.S. Assesses Technology Loss] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209171908/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-12/iran-shows-downed-spy-drone-as-u-s-assesses-technology-loss.html |date=2012-02-09}}," Bloomberg Businessweek (December 9, 2011).

"Construction of a perimeter fence at Shindand Air Base tripled the size of the base and included 52 guard towers. Force protection was a major component of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) military construction program in Afghanistan."{{cite web|url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/98810/usaces-military-construction-program-southern-afghanistan-winds-down |title=USACE's military construction program in southern Afghanistan winds down |publisher=Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System |access-date=2013-05-22}} Shindand also hosted the 3rd Wing of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) until August 2021.{{cite web |url=http://www.438aew.afcent.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=18253 |title=Factsheets : 438th Air Expeditionary Wing |website=www.438aew.afcent.af.mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221094100/http://www.438aew.afcent.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=18253 |archive-date=2013-02-21}}{{Cite web|title=U.S. Air Forces Central Command > Units > 438th Air Expeditionary Wing > Newcomers > Shindand Air Base Newcomers Information|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/438th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/Newcomers/SHINDAND-AIR-BASE-NEWCOMERS-INFORMATION/|access-date=2020-08-01|publisher=U.S. Air Forces Central Command}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In August 2021, Shindand Air Base fell to the Taliban after a surrender by government forces. The Taliban captured weaponry and vehicles from the Afghan National Army and Afghan Air Force.{{Cite web|last=Joly|first=Josephine|date=2021-08-13|title=Taliban capture fourth-largest city, closing in on the capital Kabul|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/08/13/taliban-s-advance-continues-as-armed-group-captures-more-vital-cities|access-date=2021-08-15|publisher=Euronews}}

On 6 December the Taliban Government reformed the Afghan Air Force.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

• List of airports in Afghanistan

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Shindand Air Base}}

• {{YouTube|f4ioOgp7L9A|Shindand Air Base Celebrates 90 Years of AAF}}, August 25, 2015, TOLOnews.
• {{YouTube|27a2xs1bD2Y|Afghan Air Force takes off}}, October 3, 2013, NATO.

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Category:Military installations of Afghanistan

Category:Airports in Afghanistan

Category:Air force installations of the Soviet Union

Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Afghanistan

Category:Afghanistan–Soviet Union relations

Category:Soviet foreign aid

Category:Military installations of the Soviet Union in other countries