Shamsi Airbase Evacuation: US packs up ahead of deadline

The last cargo aircraft to take back US personnel and equipment from Shamsi airbase sits on the tarmac in Washuk district, watching the Balochistan Frontier Constabulary takeover the vacated guard positions as the clock ticks down to the eviction deadline, now only hours away. Express News on Saturday reported that Pakistani security forces had reached the base along with civil aviation authorities. As the security of the base was taken over by the Pakistanis, the aviation officials surveyed the base, now largely bereft of Americans, including drones. Sources say that much of the cargo and drones has been shifted to Afghanistan and the eviction is due to be complete when the deadline expires on Sunday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2011.