Camp Victory
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| Camp Victory | |
|---|---|
| Baghdad International Airport grounds | |
 Al Faw palace, illuminated during the change of command ceremony between III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps, early February 2005. |
|
| Type | Logistics facility |
| In use | 2003-present |
| Controlled by | U.S. Army |
| Garrison | I Corps(Mar. 2009-Present) XVIII Airborne Corps(Feb. 2008- Mar. 2009) |
| Commanders | LTG Lloyd J. Austin (Feb 2008-present) LTG Raymond T. Odierno (Dec. 2006-Feb 2008) LTG Peter W. Chiarelli (Jan 2006-Dec 2006) LTG John R. Vines (Feb 2005-Jan 2006) |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Camp Victory is the primary component of the Victory Base Complex (VBC) which occupies the area surrounding the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). The Al-Faw Palace, which serves as the headquarters for the Multi-National Corps - Iraq, is located on Camp Victory. Camp Victory itself lies approximately 5 kilometers from BIAP.[1]
Other camps that make up the Victory Base Complex include Camp Liberty (formerly known as Camp Victory North), Camp Striker, and Camp Slayer.
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[edit] Living conditions
Camp Victory was named after V Corps, also called Victory Corps, from Heidelberg, Germany. They began to occupy the area in April 2003. Camp Victory has several living support areas; Freedom Village,[2] and Dodge Cities North and South, along with building 51F, which is commonly known as "Area 51". There are also two smaller living areas reserved for government contractors, as well as a third for employees of an Iraqi contracting company.
Camp Victory contains two dining facilities; the "Sports Oasis DFAC", the larger of the two, and the "Coalition Cafe". There are also several chain restaurants, located near the PX, including a Pizza Hut, a Subway, and a Green Beans coffeeshop.
[edit] Morale, welfare, and recreation
Camp Victory is also a common stop for USO tours, including entertainers such as Charlie Daniels,[3] Stephen Colbert, and NFL players. Camp Victory has a well-equipped gym, and is always in use by the many troops on post. There are two Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) buildings on Camp Victory, one near Building 51F and the other near Dodge City South. They provide free internet access, commercial phones, televisions, and indoor sports equipment such as table tennis and air hockey. Internet access is also available at housing on post to soldiers at a rate of $65 per month, which is provided by a private contractor.
World Wrestling Entertainment hosts their annual Tribute to the Troops each year since 2003.
Founded by Lt. Col. Gregory Rawlings,[4] the Baghdad Bad Boys meet each Friday at Camp Victory to provide the service men and women an opportunity to listen to and participate in Bluegrass music from home.[5]
[edit] Logistics Base Seitz
Logistics Base Seitz, also commonly referred to as Logbase Seitz or Log Base Seitz, was a compound on the north end of Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in 2003. It was the home of the 541st Maintenance Battalion from Fort Riley, Kansas. Logistics Base Seitz no longer exists; it is now part of the main Victory Base Complex.[6][7][8]
[edit] References
- ^ "American bases in Iraq". http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases_text.htm. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
- ^ "Baghdad Bulletin". http://www.shearins.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/baghdadbulletin1-2.pdf. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
- ^ "Charlie Daniels visits Camp Victory". http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=7154. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
- ^ http://www.berry.edu/alumni/accent/marchingtohisowntune.asp
- ^ http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/06/30/10467-baghdad-bad-boys-beat-deployment-blues/
- ^ Daugherty, Timothy (LTC); Captain Wells, G. Damon (CPT). "The Deployed Commander's Information Band of Tolerance." Field Artillery Magazine, September/October 2006.
- ^ Vessel, Nancy. "Details of a Soldier's Life." The News Tribune, 5 February 2006.
- ^ YouTube: "Mortaritaville" (Specifically notes Baghdad, not Balad).
[edit] External links
- Pike, John. "Abu Ghurayb Presidential Site." Global Security, 2002-2008.
