โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Sharana Airstrip (OAS) is a vital regional facility and former Forward Operating Base (FOB) serving the city of Sharana and the Paktika Province in southeastern Afghanistan. The terminal is a secure and functional military building primarily designed to handle strategic airlift operations, government personnel transport, and humanitarian missions. it is the primary infrastructure point for this strategically important border province, supporting all logistical needs for the local administrative and security forces.
Inside the terminal, facilities are focused on the needs of authorized personnel and humanitarian workers, featuring standard airbase amenities such as check-in areas, a waiting lounge, and specialized administrative support for government and NGO travel. While there are no traditional commercial airport retail or dining options on-site, the facility provides all necessary services, including mess halls and technical support facilities for personnel stationed at the airstrip. The airport's location in the high-altitude plains of southeastern Afghanistan reflects its status as a key logistical point for the region.
Ground transportation from the airstrip to Sharana city center and the surrounding provincial districts is strictly controlled and typically managed via authorized government or security transport. The airport's location in the rugged Paktika plateau offers travelers unique views of the surrounding mountains and the traditional settlements during arrival and departure. It remains an essential infrastructure point for the connectivity and security of southeastern Afghanistan, ensuring that this important administrative and trade hub remains accessible by air year-round for specialized and humanitarian operations under challenging highland weather conditions.
๐ Connection Tips
Sharana Airstrip (OAS) is a strictly restricted military and government aviation facility located in the Paktika Province of southeastern Afghanistan, serving as a critical logistical node for official missions and authorized humanitarian aid organizations. For travelers, it is vital to recognize that OAS does not host any scheduled commercial passenger airline services like those found in Kabul; instead, the airfield is utilized by Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air for specialized charters, humanitarian delivery, and the transport of government personnel. Access to the facility is subject to mandatory pre-authorization from the relevant security agencies, and you must have all security clearances and manifest documents ready for inspection well before arrival.
Ground transportation from the airstrip into the Sharana city center or surrounding districts requires meticulous security coordination. It is mandatory to use authorized security vehicles or pre-arranged armored transport for any movement beyond the secure airfield perimeter, as the regional security environment in Paktika necessitates professional protection. There are no public buses or traditional taxi ranks allowed within the secure zone. A standout feature for arrivals is the high-altitude desert landscape of the Paktika plateau, which requires pilots to manage significant density altitude factors during the summer months. Security at Sharana is exceptionally rigorous; 100% ID checks are mandatory at all entry points, and photography of any base infrastructure, military aircraft, or technical facilities is strictly prohibited. The passenger terminal is a utilitarian staging area designed for high-security throughput; there are no commercial dining or retail outlets on-site, so travelers must be self-sufficient with food and water. Arriving at the airfield at least 3 hours before a scheduled transition is required to allow for complex manifesting and security screening. Always verify the current regional security advisory and operational status with your organization before departure. Sharana Airstrip provides a professional but extremely controlled entry point for essential national defense and humanitarian missions in southeastern Afghanistan.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Dwyer Airport (OADY) served as a former United States Marine Corps installation and military airfield located in the Gamir district of the Helmand River Valley, 737 meters above sea level at coordinates 31ยฐ6'N, 64ยฐ4'E, southwest of Lashkargah in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province. Originally established as a forward operating base, Camp Dwyer was expanded into a major USMC installation in May 2009 by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB 5) and further enhanced by NMCB 3 in November 2011, becoming one of the largest camps used by Marines in Southern Helmand before its permanent closure.
The military facility featured comprehensive base amenities despite its remote desert location, including air-conditioned tents and trailers, satellite internet access, a small post exchange, laundry facilities, showers, gym, and post office services for approximately 700 military and civilian personnel at its peak operations across 1,400 acres. The 31st Combat Support Hospital at Camp Dwyer provided critical medical treatment for injured Marines and Afghan civilians throughout the southern Helmand Province region, while the airfield component supported Marine Expeditionary Brigade aviation operations with transport, supply, and medical evacuation missions.
Named in honor of South African Lance Bombardier James Dwyer (1984-2006) of 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, who was killed by an anti-tank mine during a patrol in southern Helmand Province on December 27, 2006, the base served as both a strategic military aviation hub and operational center during the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Following the conclusion of military operations, Dwyer Airport represents the aviation infrastructure legacy of American and coalition forces' efforts in this historically significant region of Afghanistan's challenging southern provinces.
๐ Connection Tips
Dwyer Airport (DWR), formerly known as Camp Dwyer, is a facility of profound historical and military significance located in the remote Helmand Province of southern Afghanistan. For travelers and logistics planners, it is critical to realize that DWR is not a civilian commercial hub; it served as one of the largest United States Marine Corps installations in the region before its permanent closure and the subsequent military withdrawal. Currently, the operational status of the airfield is highly uncertain and subject to the prevailing regional political and security situation. Historically, the base was named in honor of Lance Bombardier James Dwyer, a South African-born British soldier killed in 2006.
The infrastructure includes a substantial runway situated at an elevation of 737 meters (2,418 feet) in the Helmand River Valley, which once supported heavy Marine Expeditionary Brigade aviation and medical evacuation missions. A key feature of the former installation was the 31st Combat Support Hospital, which provided critical care for both coalition forces and local civilians. Because the airport is located in a high-conflict desert environment, any attempted travel to the area requires extreme security precautions and mandatory coordination with current regional authorities and security forces. There are no public passenger amenities, retail shops, or dining facilities on-site; the former military infrastructure has been largely decommissioned.
For any authorized movements, passengers must be completely self-sufficient with food, water, and secure transport. Always build a robust security plan and verify the latest on-ground situation before considering DWR as a destination point. Given its specialized history, the facility remains a legacy of international military efforts in southern Afghanistan.
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