CHAPTER 2
The Corps of Engineers Responds
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has maintained a presence in Saudi
Arabia since the 1950s and has been responsible for constructing facilities and
infrastructure that were critical to the successful deployment and support of
U.S. forces during Operation DESERT SHIELD/ DESERT STORM. The Corps'
longstanding relationship with the Saudis enabled Corps personnel to contract
quickly for services and construction and lease facilities to accommodate U.S.
forces. The challenges of deploying and sustaining Corps personnel overseas
were great, but the support that they provided to U.S. forces was invaluable.
Corps' Presence in Saudi Arabia
The Corps first became involved in Saudi Arabia in 1951 when it began
r e b u i l d i n g an airfield at Dhahran, using U.S. Air Force funds. After its
completion in 19.56, the airfield became an important stopover for U.S. Air
Force and Navy aircraft. The Corps finished constructing the Dhahran civil air
terminal at the Dhahran airfield in 1961. In May 1965, the U.S. ambassador to
In 1961 the Corps completed the U.S.-financed Dhahran civil air terminal.
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