145th Mobile Pubilc Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Christopher Kozloski

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq – The walls are lined with pictures of legendary body builders Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Cutler, and Ronnie Coleman. The gym equipment is somewhat dated and the facility is in obvious need of a fresh coat of paint.

Despite its lackluster appearance though, it is remarkable for what is - a gym in Iraq, dedicated to body building and physical fitness. The Club for Bodybuilding and Fitness stands as a shining example of what is possible in Iraq by way of the same discipline and focus it takes to maintain one's physical fitness.

During a patrol in Bashiqa, a village in northern Iraq, on Oct. 30, Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd "Greywolf" Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were approached by Wahad Khalel, the gym's owner and trainer, and invited to take a look at his facility. Once inside, the Soldiers felt right at home.

An Iraqi gym is something that they'd never encountered during their year long deployment to northern Iraq. For some, they hadn't seen a gym during any of their deployments to Iraq.

"In three tours in Iraq this is the first local gym I've seen," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Moriarity, a Soldier with 2nd Bn., 82nd FA Regt., as he inspected the weight-lifting equipment. "Some of the equipment is kind of old, but he maintains what he has and does a good job with what is here."

Khalel's thick neck and powerful arms were a testament to dedication to physical fitness and history of competitive body building. He circulated through the gym with the Soldiers as he gave out advice and discussed proper weight lifting techniques with the gym's patrons.

He said that the eight and a half dollar monthly membership fee was a small price to pay for access to something constructive and healthy for community members.

"It is important to the teenagers and young men to have a healthy activity to focus their energy on," said Khalel.

Khalel challenged the 2nd Bn., 82nd FA Regt. Soldiers to a healthy bench-press and pull-ups contest. Moriartiy and Spc. Jeremy Scheler answered Khalel's challenge.

Moriarity and Khalel stacked weight on the bar and took turns lowering it to their chests and pushing it back up, eventually topping 300 pounds. Moriarity eventually eked past Khalel, barely winning the contest.

"He's the most built Iraqi I've ever met." said Moriarity "He had good muscle definition and tone and knew how to flex all his muscles together."

Scheler then stepped up to the pull-up bar against Khalel. Using a wide armed, overhand grip, he was able to pump out 26 pull ups to pass Khalel's impressive effort.

"I appreciate the visits and assistance from the American Soldiers," said Khalel. "They are always welcome to come and workout with me."

For Moriarty, Scheler and the Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 82nd FA Regt. this was something that they would certainly remember.

"It is different from a typical patrol to be able to meet a cool Iraqi that shares a common interest, hang out, and lift weights together," Moriarity said. "It really shows how our cultures are not all that different."

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