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Strategic U.S.-Saudi military air base in central Arabia.
Location
Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Prince Sultan Air Base is a major military installation located near Al Kharj, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It serves as a key facility for the Royal Saudi Air Force and has hosted significant United States Air Force operations over the decades.
The base gained international prominence during the Gulf War in 1990–1991, when it served as a primary hub for U.S. and coalition air operations. American forces returned to the base in 2019 as part of a regional security buildup in response to tensions with Iran.
The airport holds the IATA code AKH and ICAO code OEPS, though it functions primarily as a military installation with no regular commercial passenger service.
Getting to & from
The base is a restricted military installation with no public ground transport links to the general population.
Notable facts
- ›Located approximately 80 km southeast of Riyadh near the city of Al Kharj.
- ›Served as a major hub for U.S. and coalition air operations during the 1991 Gulf War.
- ›U.S. military forces redeployed to the base in 2019 amid heightened regional tensions with Iran.
- ›Operated primarily by the Royal Saudi Air Force with periodic foreign military presence.
- ›No scheduled commercial airline operations are conducted at this facility.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
