Page 29 - Royal Jordanian Air Force Book

WHERE WE ARE NOW AIR BASES

MUWAFFAQ SALTI
AIR BASE (MSAB)

HOME OF RJAF'S
MAIN STRIKE FORCE

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB) is the RJAF's main fighter
base, ready 24/7 to launch three squadrons of F-16 fighter
jets to defend the skies of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Located in Azraq, 100km to the northeast of The base also features an air defense group, which
Amman, MSAB was officially opened on May 24, is considered among the first-line units of defense
1981 by His Majesty the late King Hussein and against any hostile targets in the skies of the
named after Lieutenant Muwaffaq Salti who fell Kingdom, covering vital installations and reaching
martyr during an air battle with the Israelis on in its capacity to defending the capital.
November 13, 1966. It was the home of the 1st
and 25th Mirage squadrons but since 1997, F-16 Like other bases, the ground defense battalion
was introduced to eventually replace the Mirage is fully prepared to protect MSAB's 35 km-long
as RJAF primary long-range strike capability. perimeter, making it the largest base in the
country.
The maintenance units and facilities at MSAB
hold special significance as they are capable Going back in history, the early stage of the
of implementing vital upgrades such as Falcon base dates back to 1918, when Thomas Edward
Up and Falcon Star to F-16s to maintain their Lawrence used Azraq Castle as a base due to the
structural integrity and keep their life to keep fact that the northern mud flats were suitable for
them fit for the mission. They can also perform use as a landing ground for the aircraft which were
major repairs to the aircraft structure in supporting the column pushing north towards
coordination and with guidance from the aircraft's Dera’a during the Great Arab Revolt. The main
manufacturer, LMAero and the USAF Technical qualities of the area were its good visibility and
Coordination Group (TCG). The technical support fine weather for flying.
unit, which handles installation, communications
and vehicle maintenance, in addition to related This area was chosen by the RJAF for a major
logistics also does a good job. Single-handedly, the new air base in September 1976 and construction
unit can not only address every technical fault in started in that year. In November, 1980 the 1st
these operations, but also extends a helping hand (F5As and Bs) and 11th squadrons (F5Es and Fs)
to society outside, including search and rescue were deployed, but only for a couple of years as
during harsh weather conditions, road accidents they were soon replaced by the French fighter
and other calamities. Mirage-F1 (B&C).

28 ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE