Shindand Air Base (OAH)

Publicly available recent traveler reviews and experiences for Shindand Air Base (OASD (OAH)) are not available in the conventional sense, as it is a military installation and not a commercial airport. International forces completed their withdrawal by June 2021, and the base came under Taliban control in August 2021. The information below reflects conditions and experiences primarily from military personnel and contractors during the period of international presence, particularly between 2003 and 2021. Overall sentiment among personnel during this period was often defined by the challenging mission and remote environment, with morale reportedly high despite austere conditions.

What Travelers Love (from the perspective of military personnel/contractors):

• Strategic Importance & Mission Focus: The base was crucial for military operations, training the Afghan Air Force, and providing support in Western Afghanistan. Personnel found the mission exciting and felt they were making a difference.
• Infrastructure Development: Significant investment led to the expansion of the base, including the construction of cargo and passenger terminals, strategic airlift aprons, and taxiways capable of handling large aircraft like C-17s. The base tripled in size and became the second-largest airfield in Afghanistan.
• Essential Support Facilities: The presence of a post office with free mail services and Red Cross emergency communications provided vital connections for deployed personnel.
• Improved Utilities: The addition of wastewater treatment plants and solid waste management facilities improved basic living conditions.

Common Complaints (from the perspective of military personnel/contractors):

• Remote and Hazardous Environment: Shindand Air Base was considered a remote assignment in a battle zone, and personnel were not permitted to live off-base due to safety concerns. The area was also prone to "insider attacks".
• Harsh Climate and Environmental Conditions: The base experienced a cold semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters, sometimes including snowfall. It was a dusty desert environment, with concerns about particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) from dust and burn pits, potentially leading to respiratory irritation.
• Basic Living Structures: Accommodations were a combination of tents and semi-permanent structures, and many roads within the base were dirt or gravel.
• Operational Restrictions: US military members were not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, and personnel were required to be armed outside living quarters (except during physical training or showering).

In summary, Shindand Air Base functioned as a critical military hub, characterized by substantial infrastructure development to support its operational mission. While it offered essential support services for personnel, the experience was underscored by the inherent challenges of a remote, dusty, and austere environment in a conflict zone, not the typical amenities or services found at a commercial airport.