United States military has left Afghanistan’s Bagram airfield after nearly two decades.
Key Points
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Bagram airfield was the site of several military encounters and an epicentre of US ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan in the backdrop of 9/11 terror attacks.
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Bagram airfield has now been handed over to Afghan National Security and Defense Force.
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This airbase has been the site of US military’s war against Taliban and al-Qaida terrorist outfits.
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It remained staffed by 455th Air Expeditionary Wing of US Force.
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It has been hitherto used as a base by the units of US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps rotationally.
Background
US president Joe Biden had promised the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan completely by September 11. Current withdrawal of 2,500-3,500 US troops from Bagram airbase is an indication of the follow-up on that promise. Now, United States harbours around 6,500 troops in Afghanistan to protect American embassy in Kabul. However, it is yet to be divulged when last US soldier will leave Afghanistan (for security reasons).
Bagram Airfield
It is also known as Bagram Air Base and is located near ancient city of Bagram. It was the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Its distance from Parwan Province is 11 kilometres. It has a single runway which is capable of handling large military aircraft including Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy and Antonov An-225. It was staffed 455th Air Expeditionary Wing of U.S. Air Force.
455th Air Expeditionary Wing
It is a provisional United States Air Force unit in the Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Most personnel were located at Air Force Village known as Camp Cunningham. The first predecessor of this wing was organized in 1943 as 455th Bombardment Group. After training in United States, they were deployed to Mediterranean Theatre of Operations to participate in strategic bombing campaign against Germany.