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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 24, 2008 - 12:30:18 PM |
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Taji, Iraq (Arabic) is an area approximately 20 miles north of Baghdad, and the site of a large U.S.-controlled military base.
History
Al-Taji airfield, in the volatile Sunni Triangle, was originally an Iraqi Republican Guard base during the Saddam era. It was once a center for the manufacture of chemical weapons. Taji was also the largest tank maintenance facility in Iraq.
The base came under United States control following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, also known as "Operation Iraqi Freedom."
It was initially taken over by the 4th Infantry Division, then the 1st Armored Division. It was turned over to the 1st Cavalry Division in April 2004, at which time the 1st Cavalry Division Support Command, 4th Aviation Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, a company of Oregon National Guard Soldiers,3rd Platoon from Cco 1/102nd Inf(L) Connecticut, 1-25th Aviation Battalion from the 25th Infantry Division, and the 39th BCT (Brigade Combat Team) from the Arkansas National Guard lived and worked together with the 1st Cavalry Division within the camp. The 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control to the 3rd Infantry Division in March 2005, and the camp came again under control of the 4th Infantry Division in 2006. As of November 2006, the 4th Infantry Division was relieved, and 1st Cavalry Division is now in control of the base.
Camp Taji is now known as one of many United States camps that also house members of the new Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Guard. Camp Taji is broken up between two Camps that are joined by a joint Iraqi/US gate. The Iraqi side called Camp Tadji is where the Iraqi troops, as well as the Transition Teams live. There is great controversy over the fact that the camp is divided, between "US and them". Much has been written on the subject, but with a simple look at the two camps one can see that there is a great difference in the quality of life on the two sides of the camp.
In September 2004, Camp Taji reportedly boasted the largest PX facilities in Iraq, with Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut franchises. Although the PX facility is large, it remains poorly stocked in comparison to Baghdad and Balad due to supply issues. Of some 106 bases used by the United States in Iraq, Camp Taji is considered one of 14 "enduring" bases.
The area immediately to the north along the main supply route to Camp Anaconda, an airbase outside of the city of Balad, is now referred to "ambush alley" or "Sudden Death". IED attacks, small arms fire and complex attacks on convoys and patrols remain an almost nightly occurrence.
On 15 August 2007, 9 rockets hit Camp Taji, including one at the PX. 2 US Soldiers and 2 Iraqi civilians were KIA, and 5 US soldiers and 5 Iraqi civilians were WIA. One US contractor was hit by shrapnel but not injured.
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