Photo By Dustin Senger | "This is my second day in Qatar and it's great," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Extine,...... read more read more
By Dustin Senger
Area Support Group Qatar
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – Joseph Evan LeBaron, U.S. ambassador to the State of Qatar, arrived for his first tour of Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Sept. 15, 2008. U.S. Army Col. David G. Cotter, Area Support Group Qatar commander, provided LeBaron with a brief overview of U.S. military activities – many directly supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
On, July 18, 2008, LeBaron was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to the state of Qatar, where his diplomatic career first began as vice consul in 1980. More than 25 years later, LeBaron is happy to be back and astonished by the nation's rapid growth.
LeBaron has studied Arabic, Middle Eastern and international affairs. Published in 2006, he authored "For God or Country," a study of the interrelationship between economic development and two political movements – one Islamist, the other secular – during a decisive period in pre-independence Sudan. LeBaron has received: the Presidential Meritorious Service Award; the State Department's Superior, Meritorious and Senior Performance Awards; and the Sinclaire Language Award for the distinguished study of Persian. Prior to his assignment in Qatar, he served as U.S. ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Cotter explained the close relationships the Qatar and U.S. military forces have cultivated over recent years. Since 2004, U.S. service members have participated in the annual Qatar armed forces sports competitions – a major success of sociable interaction between the two nations' military forces. According to Qatar Army Brig. Gen. Khalifa Al Khulaifi, Qatar Military Sports Association deputy director, the events are, "more for fun than competition, but they are challenging." LeBaron was amazed by the development of the area surrounding both nations' military facilities.
His introductory travels around Camp As Sayliyah included a walk through a Stryker combat vehicles repair facility, where a constant stream of battle-damaged vehicles are received and repaired. Once they pass a thorough final inspection, the armored vehicles return to securing troops involved in military movements in Iraq.
Before departing the installation, LeBaron met troops participating in the installation's rest and relaxation pass program. Since 2004, over 165,000 U.S. Central Command war fighters have traveled to the Qatar base for a brief recharge – a break from the daily grind of combat zones. Camp As Sayliyah is home for the only authorized respite program in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"This is my second day in Qatar and it's great!" said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Extine, from Muncie, Ind., after meeting LeBaron at the R&R program's main facility. Extine was on pass from Iraq. "We can sleep all day and play all night. Most importantly, we can get away from the adrenalin rush we live in every day."
"This is an optimistic time to be an American envoy in Qatar," said LeBaron in a press release announcing his arrival on, July 28, 2008. "The strong friendship forged between our countries is based on a shared vision between our leaders and our people of a prosperous and stable Middle East whose development knows no bounds. I look forward to doing all that I can to nurture this dynamic relationship."
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2008 10:43 |
| Story ID: | 23678 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 259 |
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