Balad Southeast Airport / Joint Base Balad

Balad Southeast Airport / Joint Base Balad is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the IQ AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Balad Southeast Airport, located in Al Bakr, Iraq, serves as a strategically important Joint Base with significant military aviation capabilities. Positioned at 33.940201°N, 44.361599°E and elevated at 161 feet MSL, the airport provides a critical aviation infrastructure in the region. The facility features two substantial runways capable of supporting medium-sized aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

The airport's elevated position at 161 feet above mean sea level suggests a relatively stable terrain environment with potentially moderate atmospheric conditions. Given its geographic location in Iraq, pilots should anticipate potential thermal variations and potential dust/sand atmospheric conditions that could impact visibility and aircraft performance. The substantial runway lengths (12/30 at 11,495 ft and 14/32 at 11,490 ft) provide extensive operational flexibility across different meteorological scenarios.

Notable Features

Balad Southeast Airport offers two primary runways with different orientations, which provides operational flexibility based on wind conditions. The runways are constructed with different surface materials - runway 12/30 is PEM (likely concrete or asphalt pavement), while runway 14/32 is CON (potentially concrete). The extended runway lengths indicate the airport's capability to handle larger aircraft and support complex aviation operations.

Approach Considerations

Pilots approaching Balad Southeast Airport should be prepared to utilize either runway 12/30 or 14/32 depending on prevailing wind conditions and air traffic control instructions. The substantial runway lengths of over 11,000 feet provide significant margin for approach and landing variations. Careful attention to local wind patterns and potential atmospheric particulate conditions is recommended during approach and departure phases.