The renaming was part of an effort to give U.S. facilities around Baghdad friendlier connotations, and an attempt to resolve the issue of constantly changing facility names. "I am real confident that the transition will go smoothly. [21] UNHCR strongly condemned the attacks and stated that the residents are entitled to protection against expulsion or forced movement to any place where their lives or freedom would be threatened, and informed that it has supported the relocation of more than 900 residents to safe third countries since 2011; as however, approximately 2,160 people still remain, UNHCR renewed its calls upon governments of other countries to find ways to offer long-term solutions. On my side of the family we are Irish, we are English, we are German, we are French. I had the pleasure of meeting SergeantCommand Sergeant Major Lawrence Wilson, Command Sergeant Major Joe Allen, Major General Hammond, The President. I've often said that the United States has only one -- and I mean this sincerely -- only one truly sacred obligation. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. I bring greetings from a proud and grateful nation. [12], The UNHCR called on the government of Iraq to urgently scale up security measures in the camp to ensure the safety and security of its residents. And so I want to thank the citizens of those country and the troops who have served here before us. In his remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force Iraq, who introduced the President; Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, USA, commander, Multi-National CorpsIraq; Christine Barnes, wife of U.S. Not long ago, Iraq was a country on the brink of civil war. These agreements formalize the ties between our two democracies in areas ranging from security and diplomacy to culture and trade. The dramatic turnaround you led in Iraq culminated in two agreements completed last month, which the Prime Minister and I affirmed in a ceremony earlier today. There you go. Ambassador Crocker and Christine are with us today. You are already Americans. The President. [13], The National Council of Resistance of Iran informed and warned on activities in Iraq by Iranian Quds Force, led by Qasem Soleimani, aimed to massacre Camp Liberty residents via a joint operation with Iraqi forces. So what I see in front of me today is people of a different color, different stripes, of different backgrounds, of different beliefs -- all wearing the same uniform. I married Dominique Gioccopa's granddaughter. Soldiers, Airman, Sailors, and Marines packed the palace's rotunda every night of tapings, their thunderous cheers echoed off of three stories of marble walls. "It's a nice break in the day to come in here and meet him," said Staff Sgt. There you go. (Applause.). Uday House is famous for being one of, if not the only, private residence that was targeted and hit with cruise missiles during the US shock and awe campaign. [5], The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the UN Human Rights Council has categorized, in his Opinion of May 2012, the status of the MEK residents in Camp Liberty/Camp Hurriya as Arbitrary detention and called the Iraqi government for the "immediate release and lifting of all restraints upon the free movements of these persons". First time I flew in here, right after the war, there was nobody, nobody, nobody on the road. We owe all of you. The facility is best described as an elaborate playhouse for children, in its prime having running water, operable kitchen and elevators. It is something the United Service Organizations said was a first for any overseas tour they have organized. By Annie Gowen September 15, 2011 An unlikely quiet hangs over Camp Victory these days, broken only by a rare blast of rocket fire. And this Nation pledges that we will give them all the care and all the support they need to recover. But we were going back and looking. It is home to a former Saddam Hussein palace, Al-Faw. And I'm proud to report that because of you, and tens of thousands of our sons and daughters, including our son, we've made good on that promise. [2][3] This helped partly to convince the United States removing the MEK from its list of designated terrorist groups. And all of you, all of you, thank you from the bottom of America's heart for your service and, I might add, for choosing us, for choosing America. Major General Oates. This base the headquarters of the U.S. military in Iraq . [18] We think of your comrades who have been wounded. Preliminary information indicates that three 107 mm rockets hit the Camp Victory near Baghdad International Airport. "It was an outstanding experience, and I really enjoyed being able to speak on behalf of myself." It seems like Texas, but with fewer guns," Colbert said of Iraq. Pin Camp Victory North, formerly known as Abu Ghurayb Palace. Sgt. The indictment alleges that the twelve stole at least 10million US gallons (38,000m3) of fuel from the Iraq depot. The Dining Facility (DFAC) was purported to be the second largest in Iraq. There you go. Although the spelling of the camp has been at times spelled as "Stryker" (as in the armored vehicle), the spelling was officially fixed as "Striker" in January 2009 by order of the Victory Base Complex garrison commander. Literally try it out when you get back home. 545 MP Co. Balcom, a native of Houston, Texas, is a military police officer with the 8th MP Brigade, 93rd MP Battalion's 463rd MP Company stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. [6] References ^ "American bases in Iraq". Oh, I know everyone doesn't -- can't refer to the Constitution. Dubois had paid $450,000 to the government he had made through his participation in the crime. They will not define it on what their race or religion is. All 1,215 servicemembers celebrated by raising their . US Military Bases in Iraq | 12 Bases | Military Bases U.S.A.! The Victory Fuel Point fuel thefts were a series of thefts of diesel and jet fuel in 2007 and 2008 from the United States Army's Victory Fuel Point and Camp Liberty fuel depots in the Victory Base Complex near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. "I also want to claim this as my military time if I decide to run for president in 2012," he said. Maj. John S. Gioia, USA, Multi-National DivisionBaghdad and 4th Infantry Division; Command Sgt. Colbert noted that he knows nothing about the country of Iraq, aside from the few days he has been at Camp Victory. And so I have a message for you and all who serve our country: I want to thank you for making the noble choice to serve and to protect your fellow Americans. Remarks by the Vice President at a Naturalization Ceremony for U.S. Service Members at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. According to Command Sgt, Maj. Marvin L. Hill, command sergeant major, Multi-National Forces - Iraq, this is the largest re-enlistment Secretary of the Army appoints two new civilian aides, Sean Patrick Astin designated emeritus civilian aide, Secretary of the Army appoints four new civilian aides, Secretary of the Army appoints a Falls Church, Virginia, resident as a new civilian aide, Secretary of the Army appoints three new civilian aides, Army announces upcoming 2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, unit rotation, Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd Cavalry Regiment deployment, New Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army invested, New East Texas Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Invested, New South Carolina Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army invested, Department of the Army announces 10th Mountain Division deployment, New Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army invested today at Pentagon, White invested as new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Guerra invested as new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Milstein invested as new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, New Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army invested. Camp Liberty was twice the size of Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, and one of the largest U.S. overseas posts built since the Vietnam War.[1]. [15] Former UNAMI chief Ad Melkert, who, in fall 2009, had strived to find a mediated solution for residents to remain protected in their original home city Camp Ashraf, appealed to UNAMI to hold the Iraqi government accountable for creating the descent conditions in Liberty and for blockading the delivery of daily life essentials. It's making American people safer as a result. And we owe your families. And that is the lasting memorial of all who have sacrificed here in Iraq. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, command sergeant major, Multi-National Forces - Iraq. "From the stories I've heard, I expected the area to be in chaos, with bombs going off everywhere, but once I got here I found that doing my job as a personnel clerk was not much different from what I am used to doing elsewhere," said Henderson, who is deployed for the first time. The one lesson every country has to learn, in my humble opinion, particularly as we deal with the resurrection of failed states around the world, is what you symbolize here today. The Al Faw . This site was the former location of several Iraqi presidential palaces and the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). Statement on the Shootings at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. And what a powerful symbol -- what a powerful symbol you represent to those who yearn for freedom all across the world. he asked a crowd of about 400 people during his first show. The complex is a military base run by the United States forces after the invasion of Iraq. Iraq: Rocket attack on Camp Victory - Islamic World News Memorials and plaques . Put it together for Hammond. The two palaces are frequently confused for a single building, and one or both are sometimes mislabeled. PDF Military Deployment Periodic Occupational and Environmental - Army [citation needed], During the Iraq War, it was most notable for being the headquarters of the Iraq Survey Group until 2005. The main work of the complex is to share all of its conveniences among the camps. So far, no information is available on the possible casualties of this attack. Camp Victory was a featured "Santa Cam" location for the 2007 NORAD Tracks Santa tracking season. [16] In October 2014, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reiterated its concern over the situation, namely over a recent statement of the Iraqi Minister of Justice, in which he said that if Iran asked for the extradition of the residents of Camp Liberty, Iraq would deliver them. U.S.A.! Camp Liberty | Military Wiki | Fandom I doubt in his worst nightmares, he ever would have dreamt that we'd be standing in one of his palaces. [5] It was also was featured in season 22 episode 8 of Law and Order in a story centering around a homicide due to burn pits. The United States has been working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the resettlement project. Miller said Colbert's antics will definitely keep her watching from now on. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Without new blood and without those of you in uniform, we would not survive, we would not prevail. Arriving in a C-17 . With the transfer, the 18th will complete its "relief in place" process with the 89th, as the two units spend time sharing lessons learned and working and training together as they transition duties and responsibilities from the outgoing unit to the incoming. And every time I come -- this is four times or five times since I've been Vice President -- every time I come, because of an awful lot of brave Iraqis who gave their lives and tens of thousands of Americans who risked and/or gave their lives, it gets better, every single time I'm here. The President. U.S.A.! You represent what America has always stood for: strength, resolve, sacrifice and diversity. Wingless Airplane at Baghdad International, Cratered Dispersal Area in Baghdad International Airport. Humvee-mounted soldiers patrol the nearby farms and towns around the clock. However, in a rare claim of responsibility for attacks on the MEK, Wathiq al-Batat, commander of the al-Mukhtar Army militia, admitted his group had fired rockets at the camp. On August 25, 2009 Dubois was sentenced to three years in prison. I appreciate the leadership of General Austin as well. I know your service here has not been easy and as the general pointed out, some of you, it's the third, fourth, fifth time you have served here in Iraq. The installation was used from 2012 to September 2016 to house members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI, also called MEK), who had been forcibly evicted from Camp Ashraf . After defeated General Saddam Hussein the American Air Force had joint their nine base camps into a base complex. When you ask people what it constitutes to be American, try it out. By Sgt. [11] Iraqi authorities have repeatedly denied involvement in attacks on the group. Have you ever heard ofhow about, have you ever heard of a guy named Redmore? U.S.A.! Quite simply, we owe you. 545 MP Co. Soldier, Mom serve together at Camp Victory - GlobalSecurity.org You came with parents aching for a better life than the ones they knew; others, to give a better life to their own children. U.S.A.! So instead of pulling troops out, we sent more troops in, called the surge. Statement on the situation of Iranian refugees in Camp Liberty, European Iraqi Freedom Association (EIFA), 1 November 2015, UNHCR, Update no. "[19], On the evening of 29 October 2015, another heavy rocket attack killed more than 20 residents in the camp. The United States armed forces has worked a lot to formulate the places as calm as possible to live, and as a result of their hard work now up to fourteen thousands troops can live there at a time. The name "Flintstone" conveys a comparison to the animated sitcom The Flintstones, due to the facilities Stone-Age appearance. Camp Justice, formerly known as Camp Banzai, was renamed in the middle of September in 2004 as per an initiative to change the names of United States military bases in Iraq. [10] The destructive power of 26 December attack was particularly high, as in addition to previously used rockets, missiles hit the camp with had about 10 times explosive power.