PAF Camp Badaber
Non-Flying Base
Location Details
History
Known as Peshawar Air Station during US operation
Called "Little USA" during American period (1958-1970)
Housed administration buildings, barracks, dining hall, movie theater, gym
Staff grew to ~800 personnel plus 500 support staff
Facilities included bowling alley, golf course, base housing, DoDDS school
Used as communication station for May 1, 1960 U-2 spy plane flight (Gary Powers)
US Air Force evacuated on January 7, 1970
Later used as training camp for Afghan Mujahideen (Operation Cyclone)
Site of Badaber Uprising in 1985 by Soviet/DRA prisoners of war
December 1983: PAF moved Basic Staff School to the installation
2007: Officers Military Education (OME) program revitalized, merged BSS and JC&SS
Since 2021: 65 US Air Force personnel stationed at camp
Important Events
US Air Force surveyed locations in West Pakistan for radio intercept site
Construction of Peshawar Air Station started under Project Sand Bag with 10-year lease from Pakistan
May 1: Communication station for ill-fated U-2 spy plane flight piloted by Gary Powers, shot down over Soviet Union
September: India-Pakistan tensions peaked, bomb shelters built in family housing
January 7: US Air Force evacuated, facility formally closed
Used as training camp for Afghan Mujahideen as part of CIA Operation Cyclone
December: PAF moved Basic Staff School to installation, became PAF Camp Badaber
Badaber Uprising: armed uprising by Soviet and DRA prisoners of war
August: In-Service Education Scheme revitalized as Officers Military Education (OME)
September 18: Camp attacked by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, 29 killed including army captain
July 14: Captain Isfandyar Ahmad Bukhari Shaheed Vocational Training Centre inaugurated
Present: 65 US Air Force personnel stationed at camp
Location on Map
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