H1 Old Air Base

The closure was a result of multiple factors over several decades. Initially, its primary purpose supporting the Kirkuk-Haifa oil pipeline ended in 1948. As a military base, it became strategically obsolete with the construction of the larger, more modern H-1 New Air Base (also known as Al-Walid Air Base) nearby. The facility sustained heavy damage during coalition airstrikes in the 1991 Gulf War and was rendered completely non-operational during the 2003 invasion. Subsequent regional instability and the focus on other strategic bases meant it was never repaired or repurposed.

The site is completely abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery shows the distinct triangular runway layout, a common design for WWII-era airfields, is still visible but severely deteriorated and unusable. All buildings, hangars, and support structures are in ruins, likely from a combination of military strikes, salvage operations, and decades of neglect. The site exists today only as a historical relic in the Anbar desert and serves no official or unofficial purpose.

H-1 has significant historical importance spanning several eras.
1. **Oil Industry Origin (1930s):** It was originally built in the mid-1930s by the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC) not as a public airport, but as a landing strip for Pumping Station H-1 on the Kirkuk–Haifa oil pipeline. The 'H' stands for Haifa. These desert landing strips were vital for transporting personnel, mail, and supplies.
2. **World War II:** The base was manned by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and became a key strategic point during the 1941 Anglo-Iraqi War. It was besieged by the Iraqi Army and its relief by the British Arab Legion's 'Habforce' was a critical event in the short conflict.
3. **Iraqi Air Force Era:** After British withdrawal, it was integrated into the Iraqi Air Force as part of the H-1, H-2, and H-3 complex of air bases in the western desert. These bases were crucial for projecting Iraqi air power, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) for launching strikes against targets in Iran and Syria.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening H-1 Old Air Base. The site is considered beyond economic repair. Its former military and logistical roles have been entirely superseded by larger, more modern facilities in the region, such as Al Asad Airbase and the nearby H-1 New Air Base (Al-Walid). Given the extensive damage, remote location, and lack of any strategic or commercial need, its reopening is highly improbable.