Their assigned tasks were to map the coastal area, and build a new airstrip.

As a response, a completely new airstrip had to be built and the first aircraft arrived on 15 February.

He said the team inspected a new airstrip and would carry out covert activities.

"It is unlikely that permission would be granted for the creation of a new airstrip these days," he says.

Under this, he has blocked off most of the new airstrips, and now only 1,000 miners remain.

But this new makeshift airstrip will provide much quicker access into Baghdad.

And in the distance lay a new commercial airstrip.

The first article on construction was on July 2, 1942, four days before bulldozers broke ground for the new airstrip.

On 22 July 2010, the British government agreed to help pay for the new airstrip using taxpayer money.

The official said the American team inspected a new airstrip and would be carrying out covert activities.