Baledogle Airfield, also called Wanlaweyn Airstrip, is the largest military air base in Somalia, about 90 kilometers northwest of the capital, Mogadishu.

[1] Baledogle Airfield has played a significant role in various conflicts and military operations in the region, as its strategic facilities and location have made it a key asset.

Baledogle Airfield is primarily used by the United States, AMISOM and the Somali National Army as a base for conducting counterinsurgency and drone operations in the country.

Following Barre's departure and retreat into southern Somalia, his remaining forces regrouped as the Somali National Front and successfully recaptured Baledogle in April 1992, positioning themselves to launch an offensive to reclaim Mogadishu.

[12] On 13 December 1992, four days after the deployment of U.S. military forces in Somalia, Baledogle airfield was peacefully secured by an air assault consisting 450 soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and 230 Marines, with the assistance of 12 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

Transport aircraft like the C–141 would be capable of landing at the airfield, but the repeated heavy touchdowns would begin to disintegrate the runway, eventually leading to the termination of C–141 operations in mid-January 1993.

Following intense exchange of fire between the two sides, which involved the use RPG-7's, machine guns, and anti-aircraft missiles, the SNA successfully regained control of the base.

[24] According to a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report, on 7 March 1999, an aircraft containing a 15 man delegation consisting of four Iranians and four Libyans along with seven Iraqis landed at Baledogle Airfield to assess possible Uranium extractions in Somalia.

"[3][33][31] Following the collapse of the Islamic Courts Union government during the Ethiopian invasion, Baledogle Airfield would become an important base for various factions and military organizations.

[37][38] During April 2007, Al-Shabaab forces under the direction of Mukhtar Robow formed a base at Bulo Marer in order to launch attacks on Baledogle.

Commander Ibrahim would state at an interview on the base that, "The Somali Government is a slave of the Ethiopians and the so-called President is an old puppet," Following the incident, even more soldiers deployed to the area reportedly deserted.

[49][50] Following the mass withdrawal from Mogadishu by Al-Shabaab forces on 6 August 2011, most senior foreign fighters in the organization would fly south out of Balidogle to the strategic port city of Kismayo.

According to the Air Force Times, new runway repairs appeared to be aimed at stepping up the capabilities of the airfield and possibly expanding the US military footprint in Somalia.

[34] Despite the successful defence, it was noted that the attack showed Al-Shabaab maintained a good intelligence network and possessed the capability to carry out complex operations.

[64] The repositioning of US military forces out of Somalia in 2021 led to the release of previously rare pictures at Baledogle, including images of a secretive US "ghost" surveillance aircraft, referred to by its N27557 registration number.

While N27557 is noted to lack any sensor turret, it does have a number of straight blade antennas underneath the fuselage of a unknown type sometimes associated with systems to intercept Al-Shabaab's communications, including from cell phones, or other kinds of signals intelligence.

[65] In September 2022, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Washington and discussed the possibility of escalating air raid operations by US marine forces from Baledogle with US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III.