Iran Expands Secret Underground Air Base Despite Attacks
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Iran is actively repairing and expanding its secret underground "Eagle 44" air base despite multiple attacks during the war with the U.S. and Israel. New satellite images show ongoing construction on taxiways and a cleared runway, though some buildings remain destroyed. While the base's tunnel complex appears intact from the outside, its internal condition and operational status are unconfirmed. This effort is part of a larger Iranian initiative to restore damaged military infrastructure nationwide.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Iran is expanding and repairing its secret underground "Eagle 44" air base despite multiple attacks.
- New satellite imagery shows completed taxiway sections and a cleared main runway.
- Two support buildings at the base remain destroyed, with a third damaged.
- The internal condition of the base's tunnel complex is currently unknown.
- There is no definitive evidence that the base has returned to operational readiness.
New satellite imagery reveals Iran is continuing to repair and expand its "Eagle 44" (Oghab 44) underground air base, located in the southern Hormozgan province. Despite being attacked at least three times during the war with the United States and Israel, construction work on the base, carved into a mountain, is ongoing. The base is designed to store fighter jets, drones, and potentially missiles, protecting them from aerial attacks.
Recent satellite photos from September 29 show that Iran has completed a new section of a taxiway and is continuing construction on another. The main runway, previously blocked by obstacles, now appears clear. However, damage from the attacks is still visible, with two support buildings completely destroyed and a third damaged. The condition of the tunnel complex itself remains unknown, although its four entrances appear intact from the outside.
The War Zone's analysis, based on satellite imagery, indicates that the base was targeted in at least three separate attack phases. While initial low-resolution images in March did not show significant external damage, a later attack in late March revealed more substantial damage, including craters near tunnel entrances and a destroyed building. Further attacks in July also impacted the base, with imagery from July 16 showing four impact points, including craters on taxiways and damage to other infrastructure.
Despite the ongoing repairs, there is no definitive evidence that the "Eagle 44" base has returned to operational readiness. The focus of the current restoration appears to be on clearing aircraft movement paths and completing the second taxiway, which could allow for more simultaneous aircraft movements and reduce vulnerability. The destruction of support buildings suggests a prioritization of taxiway repairs over other infrastructure.
The expansion and repair of "Eagle 44" are part of a broader effort by Iran to restore military infrastructure damaged during the war. Reports indicate that Iran has been clearing blockages at numerous underground missile storage and launch sites across the country, suggesting a nationwide effort to recover and rebuild its hardened military assets.
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