Air Base 201 in Niger, military airport in Niger (former US air base)
Air Base 201 in Niger is a military air facility located near Agadez, approximately 5 kilometers southeast of the city center. The base features a wide asphalt runway at about 505 meters elevation that accommodates both small drones and large transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster, along with hangars and structures for maintenance, storage, and personnel operations.
Construction began in 2016 and was completed in 2019, with operations starting in late 2019. The United States led the construction effort, making this one of the largest US Air Force building projects in Africa, after which Niger's military assumed control of the site.
The name reflects the military designation 201 under which the facility became known. Local residents in the region held mixed views about the foreign military presence, with some seeing it as a security measure while others expressed concerns about military activity in their area.
The site is positioned about 5 kilometers southeast of Agadez and surrounded by maintenance buildings, storage hangars, and personnel facilities. Access is restricted as this is an active military installation, so visitors should observe local regulations and security guidelines.
The facility was primarily designed for drone operations that gathered intelligence and monitored threats across the region. After US troops withdrew in August 2024, the base was handed entirely back to Niger's military authorities.
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