King Khalid International Airport - History

History

The United States Air Force effectively took over these facilities temporarily from August 1990 through May 1991 as an airbase for aerial refueling tanker operations in support of the Gulf War. The military unit based here was the 1703rd Air Refueling Wing (Provisional).

The 1703rd ARW(P) was composed mainly of KC-135 Stratotankers and used the north western firehouse as its headquarters of air operations. These tanker operations were supported by Patriot Missile battery elements of the United States Army's 5th Battalion 52d Air Defense Artillery, a large contingent of Security Forces from F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as well as small French and New Zealand military contingents of the Gulf war coalition.

In addition, during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, the airport was the home to 205 General Evacuation Hospital RAMC of the British Army, who were accommodated at the nearby Singles Compound.

The families of the airport workers are still living in K.K.I.A Housing Facility. The K.K.I.A consists of Apartments, small Villa, Villa, supermarket, Barber shop, Laundries, Restaurant, Recreational centers, Swimming pools, parking spaces near the apartments, Schools, Family clinic, Hospital, Fire station, security office and much more for the needs of the residents.

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