Bagram Airfield

Bagram Airfield (BAF), also known as Bagram Air Base (IATA: OAI, ICAO: OAIX), is located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) southeast of Charikar in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan. It was owned and operated by the country's Ministry of Defense. Sitting on the site of the ancient town of Bagram at an elevation of 1,492 metres (4,895 ft) above sea level, the air base has two concrete runways. The main one measures 3,602 by 46 metres (11,819 ft × 151 ft), capable of handling large military aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy. The second runway measures 2,953 by 26 metres (9,687 ft × 85 ft). The air base also has at least three large hangars, a control tower, numerous support buildings, and various housing areas. There are also more than 13 hectares (32 acres) of ramp space and five aircraft dispersal areas, with over 110 revetments.

Bagram Airfield was built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Bagram Air Base was formerly the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, staffed by the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing of the U.S. Air Force, along with rotating units of the U.S. and coalition forces. It was expanded and modernized by the Americans. There is also a hospital with 50 beds, three operating theatres and a modern dental clinic. Kabul International Airport is located approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of Bagram, connected by two separate roads.

On 15 August 2021, the entire base fell to Taliban rebel forces after the NATO-trained Afghan National Army had surrendered. All prisoners at the Parwan Detention Facility were released. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) revealed that in August 2009 it has been informed about a second prison where detainees were held in isolation and without access to the ICRC (that is usually guaranteed to all prisoners); this was denied by U.S. authorities.

The base was targeted and damaged by Pakistani airstrikes in March 2026 during the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war.