Where Is Balad Iraq?

Balad Iraq is 50 miles north of Baghdad which puts it just north of the center of the country. The city itself is located within the Sunni Triangle, but is nonetheless a Shiite town, with approximately 100,000 residents.

What Is in Balad Iraq

Balad Iraq is best known for its United States military connection. While not technically within the city of Balad, the US Army base known as Joint Base Balad is very near the city limits and is perhaps one of the best known – and certainly one of the largest – US military bases within the borders of Iraq.

Balad Military Base

The Balad base is loaded with modern luxuries, and is a hub of American military activity. Its safety and isolation is somewhat bizarre considering the hostile environment of the surrounding area. The Balad base is unique in the fact that it has the feel, and many of the physical realities, of an American town.

In spite of the area of Iraq in which it’s located, it is literally a small haven for troops stationed there, with post exchanges, air conditioning, Internet, and cable access – as well as, of course, medical care and other essentials.
The base very rarely sees any action, and when it does receive a minor shelling or attack there is no damage done; no troops have been killed on the Balad base for several years.

Neighborhoods in the Balad Base

The Balad base is divided into “neighborhoods,” with various areas of the base sectioned off to fill different requirements.

One area is set aside for a special operations unit and is kept private
Another area is used for storage and repair of wrecked Army vehicles
A hospital and post exchanges are both readily available to soldiers, along with a customs post and even a small “jail.”

Living on the Balad Base

Balad houses approximately 20,000 troops at any given time. Americans posted to Balad may leave to perform other duties, but may very well spend their entire tour within the base and never interact with any people or localities of the surrounding Iraq.

Aircrafts on the Balad Base

Hundreds of aircraft are based in Balad, which is another reason why you might want to know where Balad Iraq is located. It is the home launching point for F-16s, helicopters, unmanned military intelligence crafts, and more; the airport within the base is incredibly busy, with two runways, and aircraft are constantly coming in and going out. Pilots on their way in face the challenge of enemy fire, but once landed they are safe within the base. It’s a bizarre contradiction.

How Big is Balad Iraq

Balad measures approximately 25 square kilometers, with a 20-kilometer security perimeter surrounding it. The base is not only the main hub of military activity, but it’s also something of a command and intelligence post; those stationed in Balad use radar to scan the country and keep track of all military aircraft operating anywhere in Iraq.