Huckstep, Egyptian military base
Huckstep is a large military installation in Cairo spanning about 12 square kilometers, located east of the international airport and now known as Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Military Base. The grounds contain administrative buildings, barracks, a prison, and various military facilities that serve as central infrastructure for Egyptian armed forces operations.
The site was established in 1941 by Allied forces during World War II as a military base and named in 1943 after American soldier Russell Benjamin Huckstep, who died in a plane crash over North Africa. After the war, it became an internment facility for various groups including Jews, Communists, and Muslim Brotherhood members, and continues today as a military installation.
The site retains its historical name in local usage, even though the Egyptian government officially renamed it in 2021 to honor a military leader. This reflects how place names in Cairo often preserve their colonial roots despite official changes.
The site is located east of Cairo's international airport and can be reached via the city's main roads, though most areas are not open to the public. Visitors should note this is an active military complex with restricted access, and advance registration or special permission may be required for entry.
During World War II, the grounds served as the Middle East's largest military supply center with a hospital holding over 1,100 beds and a U.S.-operated radio station. This logistical importance made it a hub for Allied war efforts in the region.
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