DIYALA, Iraq — Every forward operating base has firing ranges of some sort, but there is one at FOB Warhorse that is unique. It is the archery range. Standing atop a shipping container at one end, some people may not recognize what the small area is used for. Sixty yards away, there are four target stands. The first two hold up pieces of foam, the third cardboard and the fourth contains tightly-packed wool blankets.
Though it may seem like a simple thing, for Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, it is an oasis for relaxation and preparation before going home after deployment.
"It's real peaceful down there, you can just relax for a little while," said Sgt. Christopher Velez, a medic with 5/20 Inf. "We go down, shoot for a while, take a break to rest our eyes and then shoot some more."
Besides recovery time, the range gives Soldiers the convenience to hone their skills before bow season opens once they return stateside.
"Having our bows here gives us the opportunity to prepare on our own time and get everything ready so we don't have to rush when we get home," said Spc. Curtis Gamble, a vehicle commander with 5/20 Inf.
The range provides the same liberties to any soldier stationed at FOB Warhorse.
"Before we started we checked with the Mayor Cell to see what we needed to do to use the range and they told us it was open," said Gamble.
"Having the open range allows us to get out there whenever our schedules work out, so we follow safe range practices and go have a good time," said Velez.
The only thing they would like to improve upon is the amount of people that can shoot at once.
"Right now only two people can shoot at a time, but we would like to get more so that we can set them at different ranges and allow more people to shoot together," said Gamble. "We can really only use the one target because arrows just go straight through the foam ones and break coming out of the cardboard."
Velez, who has begun learning archery since arriving at FOB Warhorse, the skills he is learning will help him accomplish his exciting future plans.
"We are planning to get together as a group when we get home to go on hunts," Velez said. "I want to get a big elk, even if I have to buy a new deep freeze."