Other Names: Ubaydah Bin Al Jarrah/117, Abu Obeydi Airfield 

Location: SW of Al-Kut

Short Descriptor: Test site for drop tank dispersion tests; deployment site for Mirage F-1 and prototype drop tank; buried bulk agent storage tanks

Details:

In September 1995, Iraq declared the existence of two projects using aircraft drop tanks--2000-liter capacity--for BW agent dissemination, one using the Mirage F-1, the other a MiG-21. The Mirage project began in November 1990 when a prototype (from a modified tank) was manufactured and a series of trials undertaken at Abou Obeydi Airbase. Apparently, three tests were conducted: two in December 1990 and one on 13 January 1991. Just before the Gulf War began, the Mirage, with the prototype tank attached, was left in a shelter at Abou Obeydi. Iraq states the shelter was bombed and the Mirage and the drop tank were destroyed by fire.

Iraq's plan was to modify 12 tanks. Work on the project continued throughout the war (the only BW weapon system that continued in development after the war started), with a stated three completed by March 1991, the work having been done at several establishments. Iraq declared that the three drop tanks were "unilaterally destroyed" in the summer of 1991; remains of three such tanks were inspected by UNSCOM. However, while extensive piles of damaged aircraft were located at Abou Obeydi, the Mirage with the prototype drop tank has not been identified.

Iraq claimed for two years that the drop tanks were intended to deliver Bacillus anthracis spores; Bacillus subtilis spores were used as a simulant in a test. However, Iraq reversed its statement at the Vienna Technical Evaluation Meeting (TEM) by claiming that botulinum toxin was the intended agent.

In addition, two mobile storage tanks for bulk BW agents, each with a capacity of 1000 liters, were found buried at the Al-Azzizziyah outstation of Abou Obeydi.

Other Information:

The site was struck several times during the Gulf War.

...Ubaydah Bin Al Jarrah Airfield: This airfield is approximately 7km southwest of Kut al Amarah and 150km southeast of Baghdad on the south bank of the Tigris River. It houses the [deleted] intercept squadron equipped with the AM-39 Exocet-ASM-capable Mirage F.1, a second Mirage F.1 squadron, and one MiG-21 (Fishbed) fighter squadron.[1]

 ...The following 12-frame refrigerated bunkers [are] capable of storing BW agents and "S"-shaped bunkers [deleted] Storage are listed in recommended priority order for attack...[deleted] Ubaydah Bin Al Jarrah Afld, [deleted] two s-shaped bunkers.... [2]

...[deleted], Ubaydah Bin Al Jarrah, IZ, Coord: 322915n/0454544e, [deleted]. Confirmed light damage to one of the Marage [sic] aircraft bunkers in area 2 [deleted]. This damage was sustained on 27 Jan 1991 during a previous attack but was not noted [deleted]. No damage was apparent to either of the chemical munitions storage bunkers.... [3]
 

Key Sources:
[1] GulfLINK, "Summary of Iraqi Chemical Warfare Activity," September 1990, CIA, file: 110296_cia_93671_72545_01.txt.
[2] GulfLINK, "Desert Storm Iraq's Chemical and Biological Warfare Facilities," 28 January 1991, Respond to Task 3888, Pass to the ITF Ops Officer, file:0139p6v.91d.
[3] GulfLINK, "Bomb Damage Assesment Cable," 29 January 1991, DIA, file: 961031_950719_72327114.txt.