Jeddah Air Base

Hejaz Air Force

On 6 August, 1921, the first aircraft deliveries approved by British authorities were made to Jeddah, arriving aboard the SS Tantah from Egypt. In August 1921, a further six aircraft arrived at Jeddah from Italy, which were 4 Caudron G.3 with 120–130 hp Le Rhône engines and 2 Maurice Farman trainers with 100 hp Fiat engines. Subsequently, two military airfields were established at Jeddah and Darin in Qatif, with landing grounds at Riyadh and Taif.^[1][2]

By early September 1921, a Caudron was assembled and flew three local flights around Jeddah. However, in October 1921, it crashed during takeoff on a return flight from Taif to Jeddah, and was left there for repairs. On 22 November, 1924, steamship SS Nore arrived at Jeddah, landing three second-hand Airco DH.9 aircraft. Two aircraft were DH.9C variants, fitted with enclosed cabins for two passengers.^[3] During the Battle of Jeddah that took place within the Saudi conquest of Hejaz, the airfield flew reconnaissance and bombing missions, and also leaflet-dropping sorties, mainly targeting Mecca and Bahra using Airco DH.9 and DH.9C aircraft. On 3 January, 1925, bombs flown from Jeddah were dropped over Nejd forces in Mecca. Russian pilot Shirokov flew daily reconnaissance missions from Jeddah using DH.9s, however, he was killed on 18 January, 1925, when a bomb exploded prematurely inside the aircraft while in flight over Najdi army camps. On 6 February, 1925, Jeddah was subjected to heavy artillery bombardment as Nejd forces advanced to within a few miles of the city. In December 1925, Jeddah was captured and the airfield remained inactive.^[2]

Early establishment

In 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established by King Abdulaziz after uniting the Hejaz and Nejd. In 1933, Italian advisers were contracted to take the place of British personnel following the expiry of British contracts, and the construction of a new airfield at Jeddah began. In 1934, the Civil Aviation Administration was established in Jeddah to oversee aviation operations. It was equipped with six aircraft and a group of military officers.^[4] On March 18, 1936, an aviation school was first established in Jeddah under the supervision of Italian instructor Captain Chico. Later on during 19 April, HRH Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz visited the school to inspect its activities. To allow the establishment of the aerodrome, HRH King Abdulaziz donated his villa to the Civil Aviation Administration. Subsequently, a landing ground measuring a square kilometer was laid in the vicinity.^[5] On September 21-22, 1936, Kandara Aerodrome and the Kandara-based Arabian School of Aviation were inaugurated, attended by Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time. However, the landing ground had not come into use immediately after inauguration.^[6]

During early 1937, the Italian government sent construction engineers to facilitate upgrades that took place at Kandara Aerodrome.^[7] In February 1937, an Italian metal hangar measuring 170 x 108 x 23 ft was purchased, and was brought ashore from the steamship Alberto Treves. When it was outside Jeddah harbour, some parts of the hangar was lost when a dhow sank. Nonetheless, the hangar was erected in Kandara Aerodrome on 23 February, 1937, which was in time for the arrival of two Caproni Ca.101bis, carrying Italian civil registrations in an attempt to make it easier to obtain overflight permits. The hangar had a planned capacity of up to 25 aircraft, and was paid by the Saudi government at a cost of £2,000. By 1938, efforts were made to improve drainage of the airfield, and construct a proper runway despite the difficulty of acquiring materials from either Italy, Eritrea, or Italian Somaliland.^[8][9] By 1939, Kandara Aerodrome was formally functioning as a military airstrip. In early 1939, Italy offered to train Saudi pilots free of charge, however, the government announced its intention to send future flying cadets to Egypt; citing that training would be done in Arabic. This led to the almost immediate closure of the Italian-run aviation school in Kandara Aerodrome.^[10]

In 1949, a group of aviation students were sent to study in England after training at Al-Houba on English de Havilland Tiger Moths. A year later in 1950, more students were sent to England, while others sent to the United States. In 1951, the students graduated and returned to the kingdom to form the nucleus of the Royal Saudi Air Force.^[11][2] There were no paved runways, and instead a sand-packed landing ground measuring 1,006 by 1,006 meters was used.^[12]

RSAF operations

On 5 November, 1952, the flag of the Air Force was raised over the first steel hangar in the airport, which was reserved for Air Force usage, leading to the formal establishment of Jeddah Air Base. The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation. Following the opening, the airport began operating as the headquarters of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), and Air Force schools began opening throughout the kingdom.^[13] On 5 January, 1954, the Air Force School was inaugurated at Jeddah Air Base by King Saud. ^[14] In 1957, the RSAF began major developments in the airbase. The first squadrons were established, including the transportation squadron which was equipped with Douglas C-54 Skymasters and Fokker S-13s. Additionally, the No. 3 Squadron RSAF was established, equipped with Douglas A-26 Invaders, which acted as a major component of modernizing the Air Force. Around the same time, No. 5 Squadron RSAF was formed, equipped with 20 de Havilland Vampires.^[15]

Following the construction of a new headquarters at Riyadh Air Base in 1962, the RSAF HQ was relocated from Jeddah Air Base.^[16] During the 1970s, squadrons No. 4 Squadron RSAF, No. 16 Squadron RSAF, and No. 20 under the 8 Wing were either established and reorganized and based at Jeddah Airport.^[17] The 8th Wing of the RSAF was stationed in Jeddah Air Base, and operated their Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force’s Dassault Mirage III aircraft transited through the airfield on delivery flights, and Republic of Singapore Air Force Lockheed T-33 aircraft also passed through for delivery flights. Due to the presence of Air France’s international facility, the base often saw frequent French Air Force Transall C-160 flights from Djibouti.^[18]