WarMonitor on Nostr: Construction continues at Iran's mountain airbase with underground hangars, known as ...

Construction continues at Iran's mountain airbase with underground hangars, known as 'Eagle 44', despite at least three rounds of strikes this year, according to TWZ, which reviewed Planet Labs satellite imagery from September 29th. TWZ’s account of the strikes is based on imagery, a New York Times report and an analysis by imagery provider Soar Atlas.

Eagle 44, also called Oghab 44, is an Iranian Air Force base in Hormozgan province, about 100 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state media unveiled it in February 2023.

TWZ says the September imagery shows a new taxiway section completed on the western side, with the next segment prepared but not yet paved, and obstacles removed from the runway.

The imagery also shows what appears to be damage from Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. Craters are visible near the western tunnel entrances. Two support buildings are destroyed and a third is damaged, with no rebuilding visible. The four tunnel entrances appear intact, but it’s unclear whether they are open or sealed. TWZ says a second taxiway would ease a bottleneck for launching and recovering aircraft. That is its interpretation.

What’s inside the mountain, and how many Iranian fighters remain, is unknown. TWZ notes administration statements that Iran’s air force has been destroyed, including U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper telling Congress in May that Iranian sorties were “zero,” and says U.S. and Western officials have also said Iran has rebuilt faster than expected.