Construction of the airfield began in 1943 by the British Army. The airfield was initially used by the Royal Air Force against the Vichy French army in Syria. The airfield had two cross runways, 1,080 metres long and 40 metres wide, with surrounding taxiways. The airfield was home to No. 3 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force, which was equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks.