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    The 'Bombed Out Palace' Closes Its Doors

    Bombed Out Palace

    Photo By Spc. Leigh Campbell | An expansive hole exists in the "Bombed Out Place" due to a Joint Direct Attack...... read more read more

    MOSUL, IRAQ

    02.16.2006

    Courtesy Story

    345th Public Affairs Detachment

    Story and photos by Spc. L.C. Campbell
    138 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    MOSUL, Iraq (Feb. 14, 2006) - After three years of extensive weather damage the well know "Bombed Out Palace" of Forward Operating Base Courage will be closed for safety reasons, Friday, Feb. 17.

    The Palace housed the post office, the Post Exchange, and the central point for force protection, which have all now moved to other locations on the FOB.

    There was reason to believe that Saddam's two sons Uday and Kusay, and generals of Saddam's army used the palace as a hide out. This palace was built in the eighties as a playground for Uday and Kusay and was considered safe. The palace was attacked when Coalition Forces believed Uday and Kusay to be residing there.

    The palace was attacked with a Joint Direct Attack Munition during the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom One. There were two JDAMS dropped on the FOB compound. One struck the top of the palace building known as the "Bombed Out Palace", leaving a gaping puncture two stories deep in the middle of the building. The other JDAM struck an agriculture building on the south side of the palace compound.

    The structural integrity of the "Bombed Out Palace" has suffered during the past three years. There has been serious water damage because of the large hole in the middle of the building. Plaster and concrete have been falling from the ceiling causing a tentative dangerous situation for the occupants of the building. Everybody in the building recognized the necessity to move.

    After closure, the palace building will continue to be used as an antenna tower for operations at FOB Courage.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.16.2006
    Date Posted: 02.16.2006 11:13
    Story ID: 5408
    Location: MOSUL, IQ

    Web Views: 547
    Downloads: 110

    PUBLIC DOMAIN