Balad, Iraq: Difference between revisions
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==Military Camps== |
==Military Camps== |
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Located within the municipality of Yethrib, the installation is known officially as [[Joint Base Balad]], formerly LSA Anaconda and Balad Air Base. The name of this base in the Saddam era was '''Al-Bakir Air Base''' ({{lang-ar|قاعدة البكر الجوية}}). This base currently hosts several Army and Air Force units, as well as a |
Located within the municipality of Yethrib, the installation is known officially as [[Joint Base Balad]], formerly LSA Anaconda and Balad Air Base. The name of this base in the Saddam era was '''Al-Bakir Air Base''' ({{lang-ar|قاعدة البكر الجوية}}). This base currently hosts several Army and Air Force units, as well as a small attachments of U.S. Navy personnel. |
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As of early 2007 the base is the central hub for airlift and U.S. Air Force operations in Iraq, it is also a major [[transshipment]] point for US Army supply convoys. |
As of early 2007 the base is the central hub for airlift and U.S. Air Force operations in Iraq, it is also a major [[transshipment]] point for US Army supply convoys. |
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Revision as of 15:55, 29 May 2009
Balad (Arabic: بلد) is a city (80 kilometres) north of Baghdad in Iraq. It is located within the borders of the so-called Sunni Triangle; however, Balad is a primarily Shiite town of approximately 100,000.
Military Camps
Located within the municipality of Yethrib, the installation is known officially as Joint Base Balad, formerly LSA Anaconda and Balad Air Base. The name of this base in the Saddam era was Al-Bakir Air Base (Arabic: قاعدة البكر الجوية). This base currently hosts several Army and Air Force units, as well as a small attachments of U.S. Navy personnel.
As of early 2007 the base is the central hub for airlift and U.S. Air Force operations in Iraq, it is also a major transshipment point for US Army supply convoys.
It is probably best known for having the only Army & Air Force Exchange Service 35 mm projection screen movie theater in Iraq and for having a full-size swimming pool. Known colloquially as "Mortaritaville" by some of its residents, it is also derogatorily called "Pogadishu" by combat arms soldiers in reference to the large number of non-combat arms soldiers--or the "Pog" (Personnel Other-than Grunt)--stationed there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personnel_Other_than_Grunts
Even closer to the actual city of Balad is a tiny FOB (Forward Operating Base) called FOB Paliwoda. Currently home to the 342nd MP Company (3rd Plt), the 3-4 CAV and a few enablers, it sits on the outskirts of Balad proper.
Broadcasting infrastructure
Balad has a shortwave relay station SED.
SED's transmission capabilities
- 16 x 500 kW shortwave transmitters
- 26 HR type curtan arrays
SED has similar transmission capabilities to RCI's Sackville Relay Station, and DW's Wertachtal Relay Station.
Violence
On January 2, 2005, a suicide car bomb hit a bus carrying Iraqi Army soldiers, 21 killed
On September 29, 2005, three near-simultaneous car bombs exploded in Balad, killing 95.[1][2]
On June 14, 2006, two bomb cars exploded in the central of Balad, Seven killed.
On October 15, 2006, Balad was the scene of horrific violence between Shiite and Sunni deathsquad. After the slaying of 17 Shiite workers, local Shiite residents called in the Mahdi Army, setting up roadblocks and checkpoints. In the next days the Mahdi Army controlled the city, killing at least 81 Sunnis and destroying property.[citation needed]
On February 10, 2008 a suicide car bomb exploded near an Iraqi Army checkpoint at a market killing 23.[3]