INTERNATIONAL ZONE, Iraq — It’s a rare opportunity for a personnel security detachment to be able to make a planned detour from their normal trips to various forward operating bases throughout Iraq, but the 512th Quartermaster Company, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), PSD team was able to see a unique glimpse of Baghdad during their last trip into the heart of Iraq. Soldiers with the 512th QM Company, out of Hunter Army Air Field, Ga., were recently afforded the distinctive chance to see the Hands of Victory, an iconic monument in Iraq.
After a routine mission to various FOBs throughout the Baghdad area, such as Victory Base Complex and Prosperity, the crew took the short ride through the International Zone, which is a secured area that houses several embassies and other recognizable monuments. The Hands of Victory, which was built in 1990, was the perfect backdrop to stop and take a break from the normal mission set. Their visit to the historic site, stemmed from the battalion command team’s desire to expose the team to more sites throughout Iraq.
“It wasn’t what I expected, but it was definitely an exceptional experience,” said Spc. Roberto Cornejo, a driver for the PSD team with the 512th QM Company, and a San Antonio, Texas, native. He said he hopes it’s the first of many more arranged pit-stops, and added that it’s important to take advantage of being in Iraq and seeing the country’s history as well. “I felt like I was really in the heart of Baghdad.”
Spc. Joseph Comeau, a member of the PSD team with the 512th QM Company, and a Lynn, Mass., native, also said that seeing a part of Iraq’s history was a unique experience.
“I had seen those swords on television so many times when the war first started, but to see it up close seven years later was very exciting,” he said.
He said that he looked forward to seeing something different and going to a new place when the convoy commander first briefed the team about the stop.
"It was a great opportunity for the team to take photos at such a notable place, reflecting on the sacrifices by coalition and Iraqi forces who have helped set the conditions for a secure and prosperous Iraq,” said Maj. Michael Halley, the battalion support operations officer and a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native. “This will be one of those moments that all the soldiers here will remember."