Kuwait hosts largest number of US bases in region, serving as bastion of security

Kuwait and the United States have an alliance that dates back to 1961, when the two nations established diplomatic relations following Kuwait's independence.

Since then, ties between them have continued to grow stronger.

The two nations have supported each other through the years: a US-led multinational coalition liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in February 1991, and Kuwait now hosts the largest number of US bases in the Middle East.

Since stepping in to assist Kuwait in the 1990s, the United States has continued to support the Gulf state's sovereignty and the diplomatic steps it has taken to build alliances among the other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states.

Since 2003, Kuwait has provided the main platform for US and international coalition operations in Iraq, and has battled the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) as a member of the international coalition.

It hosts the headquarters of the international coalition -- officially known as Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve -- and complements the United States' efforts to block the financing of terrorist groups.

As part of the ongoing US support to Kuwait, US personnel assist the Kuwaiti military with training, education and readiness, while Kuwait provides support to US military forces on the bases it hosts.

US bases in Kuwait

US bases in Kuwait include Ali Al Salem and Ahmad al-Jaber air bases, Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring (formerly Udairi), Camp Patriot -- which is part of the Kuwait Naval Base -- and Camp Spearhead, at al-Shuaiba port.

Ahmad al-Jaber hosts the US Air Force's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which provides a wide range of combat capabilities in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and wider military operations in the Middle East.

Camp Arifjan is vital to US military operations in the Southwest Asia theatre: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.

Primarily an army post, it is also home to US air force, navy, coast guard and marine personnel, as well as to international troops, with soldiers heading to or from Iraq passing through the camp.

Camp Buehring, a US Army post in the desert about 25 miles (40km) from the Iraqi border, is able to accommodate some 14,000 soldiers at any time.

The US army bases of Camp Patriot and Camp Spearhead are close to Kuwaiti naval ports, which allows the rapid deployment of military forces and logistics.

Camp Patriot supports and hosts the Amphibious Seabees group, which is part of the US Navy, and also hosts multiple tenant units and groups.

Camp Spearhead is situated in al-Shuaiba, approximately a half-hour to the north of Camp Patriot and the Kuwait Navy Base. It was established to support all area military operations, and to help soldiers recover after severe injuries.

Being near one of Kuwait's largest ports, it is in a strategic position, as the port is critical for oil transportation and the growing industry of Kuwait.

Ali Al Salem air base

The Ali Al Salem air base provides a variety of capabilities, from theatre airlift -- the air transportation of military units, personnel and materiel -- to ballistic missile defence.

According to the US military, the base's capabilities include air surveillance, force protection, combat rescue, aero medical evacuation and combat support.

Dubbed "The Rock", the base is positioned near the Iraqi border on elevated ground above the surrounding desert plains.

Home to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, it is the theatre's primary tactical airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power, supplies, logistics planning, ammunition, fuel and transportation to joint and coalition forces.

Ali Al Salem is the busiest aerial port in the theatre, supporting ongoing operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel (in Afghanistan) with a yearly average of 400 monthly missions.

These missions deliver approximately 3,500 tonnes of cargo and 9,500 personnel, while the wing supports more than 4,000 joint and 8,500 coalition forces, the US Air Force said in 2021.

Increasing challenges in the Middle East have served only to deepen the long-standing strategic relationship between Kuwait and the United States.

The two nations have a formal defence co-operation agreement, but the ties between them are not limited to security and defence, and extend to areas such as trade, education, health and investment.

"Kuwait and the United States view each other as trustworthy partners who can be relied upon in maintaining security and stability in the Gulf region," retired Kuwaiti army officer Nasser al-Khashti told Al-Mashareq.