This article provides an overview of U.S. military bases that have operated in Iraq during different periods of U.S. involvement in the region.
It covers former Army, Air Force, and joint bases that were active during various phases of military operations, stabilization efforts, and post-conflict missions.
The bases listed include locations that supported detention operations, logistics, aviation, training, and multinational coordination, with operational timelines that reflect historical use rather than current force posture.
US Army Bases In Iraq
FOB Abu Ghraib
Location: Abu Ghraib, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2006
Overall Mission: FOB Abu Ghraib was used as a detention facility during the Iraq War from 2003 to 2006.
Military police were stationed at the base at the time of its opening.
It has since been handed over to the Iraqi government and had re-opened as the Baghdad Central Prison in 2009.
Units stationed:
- 1st and 3rd Battalion
- 1st Marines
- 119th Field Artillery
- 372nd Military Police Company
- 848th Forward Surgical Team
Official Site: N/A
Camp Fallujah
Location: Fallujah, Iraq
In Use: 2004-2009
Overall Mission: Camp Fallujah was a major Army installation that had also housed US Marine Units.
This base played a huge role in some of the major missions during the US military’s presence in Iraq.
Units taking part in Operation Phantom Fury and Operation Vigilant Resolve were based at Camp Fallujah at the time.
Units stationed:
- 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
- 3rd Armored Cavalry Division
- 82nd Airborne
Official Site: N/A
Related Article – Air Force Bases in the US
FOB Grizzly
Location: 20km west of Al Khalis, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2006
Overall Mission: FOB Grizzly was the base for a number of Army Police Battalions during the years of its operation.
The MP units were responsible for security forces and handling prisoners of war.
This also was located near Camp Ashraf.
Units Stationed:
- 49th, 324th, 519th, and 540th Military Police Battalion
Official Site: N/A
Camp Justice
Location: Kadhimya, Iraq
In Use: 2004-2010
Overall Mission: Camp Justice served as a detention facility for prisoners of war.
The base was associated with detention operations involving former members of the Iraqi government.
The base had also supported other American interests during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Units Stationed:
N/A
Official Site: N/A
FOB Sykes
Location: Tall’Afar, Iraq
In Use: Operated during the Iraq War period; current operational status is not publicly documented in this article.
Overall Mission: FOB Sykes was opened as a strategic base for aircraft operations during the Iraq War.
The base was located in an area of Iraq where there were a high number of insurgents battling against US and Allied forces.
Units Stationed:
- 3rd BCT
- 6th Battalion
- 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 351 Military Police Company
Official Site: N/A
Camp Victory
Location: Near Baghdad, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2011
Overall Mission: The base served as a major hub for US forces.
It has also served as the site for many USO shows during the Iraq War and the occupation of US troops that were being deployed.
The Camp Victory complex consisted of ten bases located near the Baghdad International Airport.
Units Stationed:
- I, III, and Multi National Corps
- XVII Airborne Corps
Official Site: N/A
Related Article – US Military Bases in Germany
Joint Bases In Iraq
Camp Bucca
Location: Umm Qasr, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2009
Overall Mission: After the closure of the Abu Ghraib prison facility, Camp Bucca was used to house prisoners of war and detained terror suspects.
The facility held a large population of detainees during its operation, including individuals later associated with militant organizations.
Units Stationed:
- 160th Military Police Battalion
- 160th, 178th, 179th, and 185th Infantry
- 586th, 886th, and 887th EFS
COP Shocker Joint Base
Location: Zubratiyah, Iraq
In Use: 2007-2011
Overall Mission: COP Shocker was a strategic base located near the Iranian border.
It was believed that the base was formed as a deterrent to any potential involvement by Iran.
Despite no known involvement by the neighboring country, it has served as one of the many support bases for US forces in Iraq.
Units Stationed:
- Border Military Personnel
- Canine Unit
Camp Taji
Location: Taji, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2011
Overall Mission: Originally built by forces loyal to Saddam Hussein, US forces took over the base early on during their occupation of Iraq.
Soon after the takeover, multiple units were stationed in and out of the base.
Located in the Sunni Triangle of Iraq, it was considered one of the handfuls of strategic bases to ward off insurgents that were hostile to the United States and allied forces.
Units Stationed:
- 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
- 1st Cavalry Division
- 4th Infantry Division
- 786th QuarterMaster Battalion (US Virgin Islands National Guard)
- 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (Mississippi Army National Guard)
- 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Tennessee Army National Guard)
Official Site: N/A
Joint Base Balad
Location: Balad, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2011
Overall Mission: Joint Base Balad was yet another strategic base that was built during the Saddam Hussein regime with the intent to keep foreign invaders out.
During the US occupation, Balad was a “must capture” base to ensure that the military had a strategic edge against enemy combatants.
The base was under US Army command until it integrated with the United States Air Force in 2008 to conduct both ground and air missions in Iraq.
Units Stationed:
- 129th CSSB (101st Sustainment Brigade)
- 172nd Transportation Company
- 1-142 Aviation Maintenance Battalion Unit
- M/158 Aviation Regiment
- 213th Air Support Group
- 100th Battalion
- 332nd Expeditionary Wing
- 332 Expeditionary Group (Various Air National Guard Units)
Related Article – US Military Bases in Australia
Victory Base Complex
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2011
Overall Mission: The Victory Base complex consisted of ten bases located near the Baghdad International Airport.
The complex consisted of a number of FOBs, Air Bases, and Army Camps.
The complex served as a major operational hub for U.S. forces during the Iraq War period.
Units Stationed:
- 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
- 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
- 3rd Infantry Division
- 117th, 192nd, 324th, and 439th Military Police Battalions
US Air Force Bases In Iraq
Bagram Airfield
Location: Bagram, Afghanistan
In use: 2001-Present
Overall Mission: The United States took over the air base in 2001 as a strategic base in the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces led by Osama bin Laden.
The base’s operational status has changed over time and is not directly related to U.S. basing in Iraq.
The base also contains a medical facility along with a detention camp for prisoners of war and suspected terrorists.
Units Stationed:
- 10th Mountain Division
- 11th Signal Brigade
- 82nd Airborne Division (Paratroopers)
- 269th Signal Company
Balad Air Base
Location: Balad, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2011
Overall Mission: As part of Joint Base Balad, the air base provided aviation support for United States forces
It’s strategic placement is due to the high volume of mortar attacks that occur in and around the vicinity of Balad on a regular basis.
It also served as a logistical hub for US and later Iraqi forces.
Unit Stationed:
- 332nd Expeditionary Wing
- 777th Airlift Squadron
- 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron
- 46th and 362d Expeditionary Recon Squadron
- 332d Expeditionary Support Operations Squadron
- 1st Battalion, 131 Aviation Regiment
- 528 Quartermasters
Habbaniyah Air Base
Location: Habbaniya, Iraq
In Use: 2003-2008
Overall Mission: The base was formerly owned by the Royal Air Force.
It became a hub for military assets of both the United States and the New Iraqi Army as it conducted missions in and around Fallujah and Ramadi.
It had also served as a major US-ran training facility for Iraqi military forces.
Units Stationed:
N/A
Ain al-Asad Air Base
Location: Al Anbar, Iraq
In Use: 2004-Present
Overall Mission: At the outset, the air base was secured by Australian forces and later handed over to the Americans in late 2003.
The base was used to house trucks that provided fuel and supplies to military forces.
Most of the major fuel routes were considered dangerous and under constant attack.
US forces had withdrawn in 2011 only to return three years later in their conflict with ISIS.
Units Stationed:
- II Marine Expeditionary Force
- 82nd Airborne Advise and Assist Brigade
- 332nd Medical Brigade
- 321st Sustainment Brigade
- Navy Customs Battalion Juliet
Related Article – US Military Bases in Europe
Qayyarah Air Base
Location: Near Mosul, Iraq
In use: 2003-2011; 2016-2020
Overall Mission: The air base housed various units that provided air support along with local outreach, search and assistant, and safety patrols among other tasks.
Some of the units have also provided security for important archaeological dig sites to deter looters.
In the fight against ISIS, the United States Air Force used the base from 2016 to 2020 (the base had previously been under the former’s control until 2014).
Harir Air Base
Location: Kurdistan, Iraq
In Use: Operated during multiple periods of U.S. and coalition activity, with usage varying over time.
Overall Mission: Harir Air Base was located in the Kurdistan province of Iraq.
This was located in close proximity of Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and was a likely replacement in the event of a potential closure by the Turkish government.
The base was frequently used in the battle against ISIS and other terror groups based in Iraq.
Units Stationed:
N/A
What People Get Wrong About U.S. Military Bases in Iraq
A common misunderstanding is that all U.S. military bases listed in Iraq are still active or under U.S. control.
In reality, many of these installations were temporary, mission-specific, or transitioned to Iraqi government control after U.S. force drawdowns.
Another misconception is that each base served a single, fixed purpose throughout its operation.
In practice, base missions often evolved over time, shifting between detention, logistics, aviation support, training, and joint operations depending on operational needs and security conditions.
Some assume that branch presence at a base indicates permanent basing by that service.
However, joint and rotational use was common, and units from different branches often operated from the same installations without establishing long-term, branch-specific bases.
There is also confusion between similarly named bases and base complexes.
In several cases, airfields, forward operating bases, and camps existed within larger complexes, leading to overlap in names, missions, and timelines when referenced without additional context.
David also worked as a Private Military Contractor with several different companies, and worked closely with companies such as Blackwater (now Academi).
He also runs a non-profit organization called Vigilante Cares, which uses drones to help veterans with PTSD.
He currently resides in California, and works as a freelance writer, photographer, and commercial drone pilot.
- 5-Tier 1 Operators / Special Mission Units Explained (2026 Update) - June 20, 2024
- Navy vs. Marines: 5 Key Differences - June 20, 2024
- Was Mr. Rogers in the Military Or A SEAL? Facts Guide For 2026 - June 20, 2024
