{"id":45589,"date":"2018-10-04T18:37:26","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T18:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/04\/secret-us-base-in-somalia-is-getting-some-emergency-runway-repairs\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:44:52","slug":"secret-us-base-in-somalia-is-getting-some-emergency-runway-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2018\/10\/04\/secret-us-base-in-somalia-is-getting-some-emergency-runway-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret US base in Somalia is getting some \u2018emergency runway repairs\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. Defense Department awarded a more than $12 million contract for \u201cemergency runway repairs\u201d at Camp Baledogle, Somalia<\/a>, last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camp Baledogle was the subject of a Foreign Policy Magazine<\/a> exclusive this year in which it was described as a training base for Somali Army commandos. The trainers were reported to be U.S. contractors working for Bancroft Global Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the new runway repairs appear to be stepping up the capabilities of the airfield there, and could be the harbinger of an expanding U.S. foot print in Somalia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Africa Command confirmed to Air Force Times that it operates the facilities at Camp Baledogle alongside African partners, but remained scant on details regarding what aircraft currently, or are planned, to fly from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese repairs are needed due to years of wear and degradation due to inadequate maintenance,\u201d said Mike Andrews, the public affairs director for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, which executed the military construction contract for Camp Baledogle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe repairs referred to in our press release<\/a> will consist of full depth patching and overlay of the runway,\u201d Andrews said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also provided the specifications for Camp Baledogle\u2019s runway: 10,092 feet by 140 feet and made of asphalt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrews referred all other questions about armed aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, that fly from the site to U.S. Africa Command<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That combatant command \u201cowns\u201d Camp Baledogle, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, AFRICOM operates out of Baledogle<\/a> alongside our African partners,\u201d Maj. Karl Weist, an AFRICOM spokesman, confirmed in an emailed statement. \u201cThe command has a variety of platforms that can operate out of that location in support of missions designed to promote security and stability in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States has carried out more than 20 airstrikes against al-Shabab militants in Somalia<\/a> this year. One incident occurred in September<\/a>, after U.S. and partner troops came under attack 37 miles west of Mogadishu, the country\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\t