Shamsi Airfield
Non-Flying Base
Location Details
Runways
History
Disused Bhandari Airstrip leased to UAE by Pakistan Government in 1992
Originally leased for game hunting, particularly falconry and rare Bustards
Developed into jet-capable airfield by UAE, renamed "Shamsi"
Sub-leased by UAE to United States on 20 October 2001 with approval of President Pervez Musharraf
Jointly developed by CIA and USAF as military airfield
US constructed two permanent and one portable hangars for housing drones
9 January 2002: US Marine Corps KC-130R refueling aircraft crashed on approach, killing all 7 crew
2006: Google Earth images revealed Predator drones parked at Shamsi
CIA based drone operations in Pakistan, Blackwater hired to arm drones with missiles
Pakistani Government initially denied US military use, confirmed later
2009: Drone operations reportedly moved across border to Afghanistan
May 2011: PAF Chief confirmed Shamsi under UAE control, not PAF
June 2011: Pakistan publicly ordered US to remove all personnel
April 2011: Drone operations from airfield ceased
26 November 2011: Pakistan ordered US to vacate within 15 days after Salala Incident
December 2011: US evacuated personnel and equipment in 30 sorties using C-17 Globemasters
11 December 2011: US vacated Shamsi, Pakistan Army and Frontier Constabulary took control
3 July 2012: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologized for Salala Incident losses
Important Events
Disused Bhandari Airstrip leased to United Arab Emirates for hunting purposes
Sub-leased by UAE to United States with President Musharraf approval for CIA/USAF operations
US Marine Corps KC-130R crashed on approach to Shamsi, killing all 7 crew members
The Times obtained Google Earth images showing Predator drones at Shamsi; Senator Dianne Feinstein confirmed CIA drone operations
After bin Laden killing, PAF Chief Rao Qamar Suleman confirmed Shamsi under UAE control, not PAF
Pakistan publicly ordered US to remove personnel from airfield
After Salala Incident killing 24 Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan ordered US to vacate within 15 days
US evacuated in 30 sorties using C-17 Globemasters, destroyed some equipment
US vacated Shamsi; Pakistan Army, Frontier Constabulary, and Civil Aviation Authority took control
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially apologized for Salala Incident; NATO supply routes resumed
Location on Map
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