Cargo City Opens in Kuwait


Distinguished visitors from US, coalition and host nation services attend the Cargo City Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which took place near the Kuwait International Airport, on May 19, 2019. Air Force photo by TSgt. Robert Cloys.

The Middle East’s largest military aerial port of debarkation officially opened on May 19 as “Cargo City” became operational in Kuwait.

The temporary gateway at Kuwait International Airport replaces the USAF and coalition Abdullah Al-Mubarak AB gateway, which was in use for more than 20 years of operations.

Cargo City is located next to a vacant ramp at the airport, with about 33,000 square meters of space for US forces to stage and load cargo destined for operating locations throughout the Middle East.

As part of the move, the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron relocated to Cargo City to provide maintenance, command and control, and port operation support, according to an Air Forces Central Command release.

Construction on the project included more than 1.24 million cubic meters of fill, with almost 400 trucks transporting soil and rock every day for almost four months.

In 2017, Kuwait planned an expansion of the airport complex and gave US and Kuwait military forces about a year to move. The new facility will operate until the New Mubarak Military Base is built following the airport’s expansion, tentatively scheduled for 2023.