Bagram Air Base, located in Afghanistan, has a long and complex history that stretches back to the early 1950s. Here’s an overview of its creation and development over the years:
- Early History:
- Bagram Air Base’s history as a military facility began during the 1950s when the United States provided military and economic assistance to Afghanistan as part of the Cold War efforts to counter the influence of the Soviet Union in the region.
- Soviet Invasion:
- During the 1980s, the base played a significant role during the Soviet-Afghan War. It served as a crucial base for Afghan resistance fighters, known as the mujahideen, who were fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
- Post-Soviet Period:
- After the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in 1989, the Bagram Air Base fell into disuse and disrepair during the period of civil unrest and conflict that followed. It was largely abandoned for several years.
- U.S. Involvement:
- Bagram Air Base gained prominence again in the early 2000s following the 9/11 attacks. In October 2001, after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, the United States and its coalition partners began using the base as a vital hub for their operations in the country.
- Expansion and Development:
- Over the years, Bagram Air Base underwent significant expansion and development. It became one of the largest and most strategically important military bases in Afghanistan. Various military units, including the U.S. Army, Air Force, and other coalition forces, operated from the base.
- Role in the War on Terror:
- Bagram Air Base played a crucial role in the U.S.-led war on terror, housing detention facilities like the Bagram Theater Internment Facility and serving as a center for military operations, logistics, and intelligence.
- Handover to Afghan Authorities:
- In December 2014, the U.S. officially handed over control of the detention facility at Bagram to the Afghan government, as part of the process of withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
- Closure and Withdrawal:
- In August 2021, the U.S. military withdrew from Bagram Air Base as part of the broader withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The base was subsequently handed over to Afghan security forces.
- Taliban Control:
- Following the U.S. withdrawal, the Taliban took control of the base in August 2021.
Bagram Air Base’s history reflects the complex and changing dynamics of Afghanistan’s geopolitical situation over the years. It has been an important military installation at various points in time, serving different purposes, from the Cold War to the war on terror.
Author: Kirill Shrayber, Ph.D.