Military

King Abdul-Aziz Naval Base (KANB)
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
26°56'30"N 49°42'15"E

Jubail is located on the Arabian Gulf, just north of Dhahran. The temperatures are very similar to those in Dhahran. Its coastal location produces somewhat higher humidity and occasional fog and mist. Very pleasant fall and spring weather is set apart by the cool days of winter and the humid heat of summer.

The United States Military Training Mission (USMTM) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a joint training mission under the command of Headquarters, United States Central Command, (USCENTCOM) MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The Chief of USMTM also serves as the United States Department of Defense Representative for Saudi Arabia. The USMTM Air Force Division has supporting detachments at Taif, Dhahran, Khamis Mushayt, and Jeddah. Personnel work directly with their RSAF Headquarters counterparts on all logistics, operational, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) issues. In addition, E3A/KE-3A Extended Training Service Specialists (ETSS) personnel provide training and assistance to the RSAF in a variety of flying operations out of Riyadh Air Base. F-15 operations are supported by US Air Force personnel at Dhahran and Khamis Mushayt. RF-5 operations are supported at Taif, while C-130 operations are supported at Jeddah and Riyadh. Detachment Commanders (DETCO) serve as advisors to Saudi Air Base Area Chiefs and supervise ETSS personnel in the area.

King Abdul-Aziz Naval Base (KANB) is located just south of the steadily growing Jubail commercial port and industrial complex. It is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Dhahran; about one hour driving time over a heavily-traveled, divided, and limited access highway. KANB stretches nearly 10 kilometers (6 miles) along its north-south beachfront on the Arabian Gulf and averages about one and one-half kilometers (one mile) in east-west width. With the completion of the initial construction in 1980, KANB now has extensive waterfront operational and protective works, drydocking and shop repair facilities, a training complex for several hundred students in a variety of naval curricula, supply, public works, housing, community services, and other base support buildings to accommodate RSNF requirements. Design and the US Army Corps of Engineers did construction for KANB.

A US Marine Corps TAFT Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) is deployed as an advisor to the Royal Saudi Marine Force. A Technical Assistance Field Team is deployed on a permanent change of station [PCS] assignment of more than 179 days (usually for 1 year or more) to a foreign country to provide assistance in the operation, maintenance, and tactical employment of weapons and supporting systems or in special skills related to military functions. TAFTs are composed of DoD personnel deployed for the purpose of providing in-country technical support to foreign personnel on specific equipment, technology, weapons, and supporting systems. They provide in-country technical assistance and training when these requirements cannot be satisfied by mobile training teams, technical assistance teams, the Field Training Service, or commercial contracts.

The USMC TAFT is housed separately in Jubail in the Desert Palms Compound, which also includes a dining facility. Fully-furnished apartment-style quarters are designed for double occupancy and are located off-base in the US Navy "Garden Village" compound. These villas have a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms. The compound is a walled enclosure containing apartments, pool, sundeck, recreation room, exercise room, and laundry. All furniture and major household appliances are provided.

The Army & Air Force Exchange in Dhahran is available to DOD personnel stationed at Jubail. The Dammam/Al Khobar/Dhahran metropolitan area, and to a lesser extent the town of Jubail, offer a variety of foodstuffs and trade goods for sale. Prices are somewhat high but the selection and quality of certain items make off-base shopping almost a necessity, especially in the areas of fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and pastries, meats, fish and dairy products. A COLA helps to off-set the higher prices involved with off-base shopping.

Several miles of usable beachfront, fishing, and the nearby reefs of Jurayd Island combine to make Jubail very attractive for the salt-water enthusiast. Garden village has outdoor courts for tennis, volleyball and basketball, some of which are lighted for cooler evening use. There are prepared surfaces where team sports may be enjoyed. The Detachment has, in the past, participated in local team sports including softball, rugby and bowling. Tennis, racquetball, and squash courts are also available at the Royal Commission Industrial complex about ten miles from the Garden Village compound. Additional recreational facilities at the Garden Village compound include pool, jacuzzi, ping pong, darts, billiards, and foosball. Horseshoes and weight lifting are available as well as a large assortment of other Welfare and Recreation items. Movies from the AAFES film circuit arrive weekly. A number of gulf area radio and TV stations can be received that carry English language programming.