Iron Brigade Soldiers complete move to Camp Striker

Photo By Pfc. Evan Loyd | Sgt. Tony Harvey, from Columbus, Ga., a Soldier in Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2-6 Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, enjoys a coffee from the local Green Beans Coffee Shop at Camp Striker, Nov. 8, 2008.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.10.2008

Story by Pfc. Evan Loyd 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Pfc. Evan Loyd
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Every Soldier knows he must be ready at a moment's notice to move out - but a brigade combat team and its three battalions?

That is exactly what the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division recently did as they repositioned Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Hammer in the Mada'in Qada, to Camp Striker in the Victory Base Complex.

"This headquarters and unit repositioning better situates our brigade leadership and our logistical assets for command and control and support to all of our subordinate units across our expanded area of operations that stretches across southern Baghdad province," said Lt. Col. Jason Kirk, from Garland, Texas, the brigade executive officer.

The 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since April in Southeastern Baghdad province, where it grew strong ties to the local communities and their leaders.

The Iron Brigade also partnered with the Iraqi security forces of the Mada'in to conduct training and develop a more professional force. These connections and commitments across the Mada'in will continue.

The 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. will now work to build similar working relationships with the government and security leaders of the Mahmudiyah Qada. The Mahmudiyah Qada has been under the operational control of the 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), for the last year and has shown a steady drop in violence and an increasingly more capable Iraqi Army Division.

"I don't really mind the move; it splits things up in the deployment," said Spc. James Doster, from Lexington, Ky., command security detail. "It's all the same to me as long as we complete our mission and get home safe."

That's not to say the move to Striker doesn't offer benefits to the Soldiers of the Iron Brigade.

Because of Camp Striker's larger size and proximity to Baghdad, the Soldiers stationed here now have easy access to internet capabilities, cell phone coverage, a bazaar comprised of six local national shops, three fast food restaurants, a coffee shop and a gift shop. Also, there is a large, well-stocked post exchange to top it all off.

"There is a lot of opportunity on Striker for Soldiers that we didn't have on [FOB] Hammer. It's great that we are close to the gym, Morale, Welfare and Recreation center, PX and the connectivity to the outside world is really good and allows Soldiers to stay better in touch with their families back home and do correspondence courses online," said Staff Sgt. Jorge Cornejo, from Brentwood, N.Y., 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. CSD team.

"It's a lot less dusty here, and there is no smoke from the Nahrwan brick factory," said Spc. Sam Conrad, from Lancaster, PA. "So, it's a step up for us."

• Date Taken: 11.10.2008
• Date Posted: 11.10.2008 11:42
• Story ID: 26161
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ