Al Taqaddum Airbase
Photo: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Al Taqaddum Airbase is a major Iraqi military installation located approximately 74 kilometers west of Baghdad in central Iraq, near the historic site of Habbaniyah. The airbase features two substantial runways measuring 13,000 and 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) in length, making it one of Iraq's most significant military aviation facilities. Known by the military shorthand "TQ," the base has served various strategic roles throughout Iraq's modern history, including extensive use by U.S. forces during and after the Iraq War when it was designated Camp Taqaddum. The facility sits in the arid landscape of central Iraq, positioned strategically between Baghdad and the western desert regions. In 2017, an infrared camera at the airbase recorded footage of an unidentified aerial phenomenon later dubbed the "Jellyfish UFO," which ancient astronaut theorists cite as potential evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, pointing to its steady velocity and apparent biological features visible upon magnification. While image analysts confirmed the object possessed physical mass and the Department of Defense authenticated the footage, mainstream researchers have not reached consensus on the phenomenon's origin, with conventional explanations ranging from classified military technology to atmospheric phenomena, pending further analysis and declassified data. The incident remains one of the most publicly discussed military UAP sightings, illustrating the ongoing gap between eyewitness documentation and definitive scientific explanation.
Timeline
Airbase constructed and originally known as Tammuz Airbase
Base occupied by coalition forces during Iraq War
Facility officially redesignated as Camp Taqaddum
Infrared footage of unidentified aerial phenomenon recorded at the base
UAP footage made public by filmmaker Jeremy Corbell
What the Show Claims
- ›The 'Jellyfish UFO' recorded on infrared camera represents an extraterrestrial craft under intelligent control, displaying steady velocity and consistent altitudeS21E14
- ›The object remained invisible to the naked eye but showed apparent biological features when examined under magnificationS21E14
- ›Image analysts confirmed the object possesses physical mass and ruled out conventional explanations including lens artifacts and jet packsS21E14
- ›The Department of Defense authenticated the footage as genuine, lending credibility to extraterrestrial hypothesesS21E14
What Archaeology Says
Al Taqaddum Airbase represents a significant piece of modern Iraqi military infrastructure rather than an ancient archaeological site. The facility was constructed during the 1980s as part of Iraq's military expansion under Saddam Hussein's regime, originally bearing the name Tammuz Airbase. The base's strategic location west of Baghdad made it a crucial asset for controlling Iraq's western approaches and desert regions.
During the 2003 Iraq War and subsequent occupation, the airbase became a major hub for coalition forces, particularly the United States military, which redesignated it as Camp Taqaddum in 2004. The facility's two lengthy runways and substantial infrastructure made it invaluable for military operations, logistics, and air support missions throughout the conflict and stabilization periods that followed.
The site gained renewed attention in recent years not for archaeological discoveries, but for its connection to unidentified aerial phenomena research. In 2017, infrared camera equipment at the base recorded footage of an unusual object that has since become central to UAP discussions. The footage, authenticated by military sources and later released to the public by filmmaker Jeremy Corbell in 2024, shows what appears to be a jellyfish-shaped object moving at consistent speed and altitude.
While the base itself holds no ancient mysteries, its role in modern UAP documentation has made it a focal point for researchers investigating unexplained aerial phenomena. The military's acknowledgment of the footage's authenticity and the Department of Defense's involvement in its analysis represent significant developments in the official recognition of unexplained aerial objects in restricted airspace.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The base's military shorthand nickname 'TQ' became widely used among coalition forces during the Iraq War
The facility's runways at 13,000 and 12,000 feet are among the longest military airstrips in Iraq
The 2017 UAP footage recorded at the base remained classified for seven years before public release
The airbase was originally named after Tammuz, referencing the ancient Mesopotamian god of fertility and vegetation
Planning a Visit
Al Taqaddum Airbase is an active military installation and is not accessible to civilian visitors or tourists. The facility remains under Iraqi military control and operates as a restricted area with no public access permitted.
Baghdad, approximately 74 kilometers to the east
The airbase is not open for public visitation due to its active military status and security restrictions.
Related Sites
Roswell
Another location famous for military-connected UAP incidents and government documentation of unexplained phenomena
GIMBAL UAP Incident Site (Atlantic Coast of Florida)
Site of another authenticated military UAP encounter that gained official recognition from defense authorities
White Sands Proving Ground
Military testing facility associated with classified aerospace projects and unexplained aerial phenomena research
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Historical data sourced from Wikipedia