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Camp Taji

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Camp Taji
The welcome sign at the main entrance
The welcome sign at the main entrance
CountryIraq
GovernorateBaghdad Governorate

Camp Taji is a military installation used by coalition forces near Taji or Al Taji (Arabic: التاجي), Iraq. The camp is located in a rural region approximately 20 miles (30 km) north of the city of Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate.[citation needed]

History

Al-Taji airfield, in the volatile Sunni Triangle, was originally an Iraqi Republican Guard base during the Saddam era. It was once a center for the manufacture of chemical weapons. [1] UNSCOM found at Taji 6,000 empty canisters designed to be filled with chemical weapons for use in 122mm rockets.

According to the Gulf War Airpower Survey, there was a Sector Operations Center located at Al Taji. The airbase is served by a 5,500 foot long runway. [2]Taji was also the largest tank maintenance facility in Iraq.

Taji was heavily bombed during Operation Desert Fox in with 13 different targets in the Camp hit during the December 1998 air strikes.[3]

Units Assigned

2003-2004

The camp was originally occupied by the Division Artillery (DIVARTY) of the 4th Infantry Division. The Mayor Cell during this time was provided by the 44th RAOC.

2004-2005

In February 2004 the 4th ID DIVARTY handed the Camp over to elements of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. 3rd BCT had been in the process of redeploying, some of it's element having already moved to Kuwait, when it was informed that it would have to assume control of Camp Taji until units from 1st Cavalry Division arrived in March. 3rd BCT deployed 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery, the 70th Engineer Battalion and elements of 1st Battalion 69th Armor Regiment to Camp Taji to fill this six week gap. 3rd BCT was relieved at Camp Taji on 24 March 2004 by 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, an element of the 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

1st Cavalry Division elements stationed at Camp Taji included:

The 39 BCT controlled the Area of Operations surrounding Camp Taji at this time. The 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery of the 39th BCT along with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery of the Rhode Island National Guard where the main base defense Force in 2004 to include gate security, QRF, as well as convoy escort and the inherent Field artillery mission. The 1-206th FA and A/1-103rd FA supplied a Military Assistance Training Team to train, live with and fight alongside the 307th Iraqi National Guard Battalion..[4]

The 593rd Corps Support Group was also headquartered at Camp Taji

2005-2006

The 39th Brigade Combat Team was relieved by 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in March of 2005. This was the same Brigade that had been relieved by 1-206th FA in March of 2004. 3rd BCT, 1AD deployed in 2005 as an element of 3rd Infantry Division which was assigned as the Multi National Division - Baghdad headquarters. The 4-1 FA relieved 1-206th FA of the Base Defense and Field Artillery Support missions at this time. 51 RAOC was relieved of Mayor Cell responsibilities by 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery Regiment, Minnesota National Guard [5]

2006-2007

A street corner on Camp Taji

3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division was relieved by elements of the 4th Infantry Division in 2006. In November 2006, the 4th Infantry Division was relieved, and 1st Cavalry Division was once again in control of the base. The Mayor Cell was supplied at this time by 786th Quarter Master Battalion, from the Virgin Islands National Guard.[6] The Base Defense Operations Center was operated by members of 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.

2007-2008

In December of 2007 the 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control and Camp Taji was occupied by multiple brigade sized elements from a variety of units, until they were relived by the 4th Infantry Division. The 621st Troop Support Command, Alabama National Guard acted as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell) from October 2007 through March 2008[7] when it was relieved by 1-206th FA.

2008-2009

In March 2008, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery returned to Camp Taji, this time as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell. At this time the Base Defense Operations Center was operated by 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, a part of the 25th Infantry Division, which was assigned to 4th Infantry Division for the deployment. the 2-11 FA was responsible for securing a security contract to provide over 900 private contractor security guard to provide gate and tower guard for Camp Taji, relieving two National Guard Companies of these responsibilities and decreasing the need to mobilize units for these duties in the future. 1-206th FA was relieve by the 949th Brigade Support Battalion, Texas National Guard, in December 2008. 2-11 FA was relieved of the BDOC mission by 1st Battalion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment (Pennsylvania National Guard) in January 2009.

2009-2010

In April of 2009 the 4th Infantry Division was relived yet again by the 1st Cavalry Division.[citation needed]

Some of the hundreds of disabled Iraqi armored vehicles in Camp Taji.

, The 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), Mississippi National Guard, assumed the dual roll of Garrison Command and Base Defense Operations Center in July of 2009, relieving both the 949 BSB and the 1-108th FA. [8]

A Joint Base

Camp Taji is now known as one of many United States camps that also house members of the new Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Guard. It is also being used to train the newly established Iraqi Air Force. Camp Taji is broken up between two Camps that are joined by a joint Iraqi/US gate. The Iraqi side called Camp Taji is where the Iraqi troops, as well as the Transition Teams live. There is great controversy over the fact that the camp is divided, between "US and them". Much has been written on the subject, but with a simple look at the two camps one can see that there is a great difference in the quality of life on the two sides of the camp.[9]

Facilities

In December 2004, Camp Taji reportedly boasted the largest PX facilities in Iraq, with Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut franchises.[10] As of April 2009, the food court also includes Taco Bell, Popeye's Chicken, and Seattle's Best/Cinnabon. Although the PX facility is large, it remains poorly stocked in comparison to Baghdad and Balad due to supply issues. Of some 106 bases used by the United States in Iraq, Camp Taji is considered one of 14 "enduring" bases.[11]

Significant events

On 24 April 2004, Camp Taji came under rocket, resulting in 4 killed in action, all members of the 39th Support Battalion, an element of the 39th Brigade Combat Team.[12] April 24 was the highest single day casualty total for Arkansas soldiers since the Korean War.

On 15 August 2007, nine rockets hit Camp Taji, including one at the PX immediately next to the Pizza Hut booth. Two US Soldiers and two non-Iraqi civilians were killed and five US soldiers and five Iraqi civilians were wounded. One US contractor was hit by shrapnel but not injured.[citation needed]


References

  1. ^ Iraq Watch, Retrieved 21 Jan 10, http://www.iraqwatch.org/profiles/chemical.html
  2. ^ Global Security.org, Al Taji Army Airfield / Al Taji Camp, Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-taji.htm
  3. ^ Global Security.org, Al Taji Army Airfield / Al Taji Camp, Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-taji.htm
  4. ^ Saluting American Valor, Selfless Courage at the moment of truth, John F. Vanlandingham, Arkansas National Guard / Silver Star, Arkansas national guardsman repeatedly put his life on the line to save Iraqis he trained, By Lewis Delavan, © Stephens Media LLC 2009, Retrieved 30 Dec 2009 http://www.americanvalor.net/heroes/166
  5. ^ Minnesota National Guard, Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/units/unit_template.php?unit=PU3AA
  6. ^ Crossed Sabers, Volume I, issue 6, 19 February 2007, http://www.scribd.com/doc/1747530/US-Army-Feb19
  7. ^ Black Anthem News, Taji Opens New Gym, Retrieved 21 January 2010. http://www.blackanthem.com/News/sports/Photos-Camp-Taji-opens-new-Gym15041.shtml
  8. ^ Facebook, HHC 106th BSB: 155th Officially Takes Charge of Camp Taji, Retrieve 21 Jan 10, http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=109810033812
  9. ^ Gregg Jaffe- A Camp Divided - Wall Street Journal
  10. ^ Camp Taji - Globalsecurity.org
  11. ^ If the U.S. is ultimately leaving Iraq, why is the military building 'permanent' bases? - Friends Committee on National Legislation
  12. ^ Global Security . Org, Army News Service, Mortar attack gets quick response in Taji, Retrieved 20 Jan 10 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/04/mil-040429-usa01.htm
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