From tent city to poolside RELATED VIDEO CNN's Martin Savidge takes a rare look at daily life at the isolated air base in Saudi Arabia Windows Media 28K 80K RELATED DISCUSSION What do you think?

From Correspondent Martin Savidge

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- Since a fatal 1996 terrorist attack on U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, all American soldiers in the Kingdom have moved to an isolated air base in a remote region whose name says it all: The Empty Quarter.

More than 4,000 American, British and French troops are stationed at sprawling Prince Sultan Air Base.

By day, they go about their duties, which for the US and British means patrolling the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. By night air crews live under a world of canvas in a town of tents.

"I think the worst thing about being here is just being away from your family," said Capt. Geoff Hickman, a U.S. Air Force pilot.

During the time they spend in Saudi Arabia, most U.S. personnel will never set foot off base. Not once.

Security is fierce. The coalition compound is ringed by more than 40 miles of barbed wire. Concrete barriers force traffic to slow and zig-zag its way through the many checkpoints.

"It's I guess in a sense a lot like being in prison," said Air Force Tech Sgt. Fuz Eller. "Except the barbed wire faces outward," he added with a laugh.

U.S. Patriot Missile crews routinely drill to protect the allied forces and equipment from any air threat. But there is little to protect troops from the deep sense of isolation that seems to surround them.

Eight people share a tent, each carving out his or her own little living space.

There are some distractions. Cable TV and VCRs in every tent, e-mail, even stores and fast food restaurants. There's even a workout area known as muscle beach. But life on the beach and everywhere else is about to change. .

Within two months coalition forces will move into the new Friendly Forces complex nearby. The complex boasts more than two thousand rooms built at a cost of over $15 million, and paid for by the Saudi government. The new facilities include an Olympic sized poll, common areas, dining halls, a gym and -- best of all -- indoor bathrooms.

The name of the contractor of the huge project may ring a bell: It is the family of Osama bin Laden, former Saudi Arabian and current alleged terrorist.

"When I initially heard of it, it did concern me," said 1st Lieut. Kevin Hetrick. "But after specialists came through this area I am not concerned any more based on the measures they took to ensure this facility was safe," Herrick said.

There's no question the new quarters will improve life for coalition forces. But it also hints of something disturbing in the ongoing conflict with Iraq: a sense of permanence.