Al Udeid Air Base (XJD)

Ar Rayyan, QA 🇶🇦 Medium Airport

ICAO

OTBH

IATA

XJD

Elevation

130 ft

Region

QA-RA

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: OTBH

Local Code: Not available

Location: 25.1173° N, 51.314999° E

Continent: AS

Type: Medium Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Recent traveler sentiment at Al Udeid Air Base (OTBH (XJD)) is mixed, often characterized by a sense of it being a "cushy" deployment compared to others, but with significant frustrations regarding living conditions and leadership. Many service members acknowledge the benefits of tax-free pay and available amenities, yet persistent issues with facilities and the challenging climate contribute to a sometimes negative overall experience.

What Travelers Love

Extensive Amenities: The base offers a wide range of facilities including swimming pools, fitness centers, recreation centers, and a BX (Base Exchange) that is often described as better stocked than some stateside bases. There are also diverse dining options like DQ, Pizza Hut, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, and Arabia Grill.
Off-Base Exploration: Opportunities to travel off-base and explore Doha, with its local food and attractions, are frequently highlighted as a significant positive. Uber is available to the base gate, facilitating this.
Financial Benefits: The tax-free pay associated with deployment to Al Udeid is a major draw for many service members.
Workout Opportunities: Many find it easy to get in shape due to good gym facilities and organized events like 5Ks. Indoor pools are particularly appreciated for exercise.

Common Complaints

Subpar Living Conditions: Despite efforts to build newer dorms (like the Blatchford-Preston Complex (BPC)), issues persist in older living quarters. Common complaints include mold on walls, broken bathroom facilities, bugs, poor air conditioning, and overall dilapidated infrastructure. Some 2024 reviews describe dorms as having a "prison" like appearance.
Food Quality Concerns: Travelers have reported instances of cockroaches in food and general dissatisfaction with the quality of meals in the chow halls, with some experiencing illness like salmonella.
Extreme Heat and Environment: The base experiences uncomfortably high temperatures, often exceeding 100°F and feeling much hotter, especially from May to October, making outdoor activities challenging. The environment is also prone to sandstorms.
Inconsistent Work-Life Balance and Morale: There's a notable "identity crisis" where the base struggles between being a deployed location and a permanent base, leading to disparate work schedules (some working 7-4, others 6-12s) and a feeling of "two classes of people." Some report oppressive leadership and a generally miserable atmosphere among some personnel.

Overall, Al Udeid Air Base offers a deployment experience with a relatively wide array of amenities and opportunities for off-base leisure. However, these positives are often overshadowed by significant and recurring issues with living conditions, food quality, the harsh climate, and frustrations with leadership and inconsistent operational expectations. Prospective personnel should be prepared for these challenges alongside the benefits.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Popular Flight Routes

Routes Not Available: Flight routes are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service. Al Udeid Air Base is classified as a medium airport without scheduled service.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Route Data Not Loaded Get fresh route data for Al Udeid Air Base from FlightAware API Last updated: 2 days, 11 hours ago This will fetch real-time data including recent departures and scheduled flights

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`16/34`	12303 ft	148 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
A/G	SOF	`28.145 MHz`
ACC	DOHA APP	`121.1 MHz`
ATIS	ATIS	`123.75 MHz`
GND	GND	`135.5 MHz`
INFO	DOHA INFO	`126.45 MHz`
MISC	AMCC	`127.8 MHz`
PMSV	METRO	`39.0 MHz`
POST	COMD POST	`32.212 MHz`
PTD	PTD	`29.22 MHz`
TWR	TWR	`125.5 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`ALD`	Al Udeid	VORTAC	`115200 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Ground Transportation Information

Detailed ground transportation information for Al Udeid Air Base is being prepared. This includes information about taxis, rental cars, and public transportation options.

Taxis

Taxis are typically available outside arrival terminals at most airports.

Rental Cars

Major rental car companies typically have counters at airports with commercial service.

Public Transportation

Many airports offer bus or train connections to nearby city centers.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.