Tal Ashtah Air Base

Tal Ashtah Air Base is a former Iraqi Air Force base in the Kirkuk Governorate of Iraq. It was captured by Coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Overview
Tal Ashtah Air Base was a primary air base for the Iraqi Air Force. At each end of the main 10,000-foot runway are a dozen hardened aircraft shelters known as "Trapezoids" or "Yugos" which were built by Yugoslavian contractors some time prior to 1985 with multiple runways and taxiways, patterned after their Russian counterparts.

The base was heavily attacked by Coalition airpower during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, and seized by Coalition ground forces. Under United States Army Control, Forward Operating Base Grant was established at the former airfield. During the winter of 2004 the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Combat Team (Warrior Brigade) transferred FOB Grant to the Iraqi people with the grand opening of the Daquq Youth Center. Task Force 1-14 Infantry worked diligently as the stewards of this important project. The months-long renovation included painting, new windows, ping pong tables, and ten brand new computers with high-speed Internet access. In addition, the children of Daquq will be able to enjoy several sports, including soccer, boxing, volleyball, tetherball, and weightlifting.

Current aerial imagery shows that FOB Grant has been closed and dismantled. The operational structures around the airfield appear to have been demolished and removed. Today the concrete runway and series of taxiways remain exposed and deteriorating to the elements, being reclaimed by the desert.