Basketball comes to FOB Callahan

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Staff Sgt. Matthew Meyer, a Washington, D.C., native, sweeps the basketball court prior to a game at Forward Operating Base Callahan in northern Baghdad, Aug. 21, 2008. Meyer is the Fire and Effects Coordination Cell non-commissioned officer in charge for 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

IRAQ

08.23.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Capt. Janet L. Thomas
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CALLAHAN, Iraq – There is now one more reason to love living at Forward Operating Base Callahan – basketball. While everyone laughed at the idea of putting up a hoop at this outpost in northern Baghdad, it hasn't stopped throngs of Soldiers from playing and watching since the hour it was installed.

Placed against the outside wall of the former shopping center, close to the aide station (an added benefit to be sure), the ground was repaved with concrete and t-walls erected in a slight semi-circle to offer added protection around the court. A dim red light has also been placed on a wall to enable Soldiers to play after the heat of the day and into the dark of night.

Morale at FOB Callahan, where much of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad calls home, has been an issue for many leaders particularly because of the limited outdoor exposure and the resulting feelings of confined living this may cause.

"This basketball court is instrumental in keeping Soldiers with a positive and healthy attitude due to their present atmosphere and conditions," said Sgt. Maj. Tony Plair, a Winnsboro, S.C., native who serves as operations sergeant major for 1-68 AR.

Plair was one of the first to try out the new court and said that he thinks it has "tremendously boosted morale and given the Soldiers a break and a way to get out of their living areas."

Other Soldiers who were eager to test out the new cardio option had similar reactions as Plair. Staff Sgt. Dennis Hunter, a Rocky Mount, N.C., native who works in the 1-68 AR mayor cell, was another of the first players on the court.

"I think the addition of the basketball court was a great idea. It instantly improved the morale on the FOB," he said.

The basketball court has become a destination not only for players, but also other members of the Silver Lions can be found watching the sometimes competitive contents on the makeshift court.

"It provides leaders and Soldiers an opportunity to play together which establishes a better relationship and bond," Plair said.

While its primary purpose is for basketball, Plair said the court can be used for a variety of physical fitness activities – something that is at a premium for this four-story shopping center.

"Companies can use the court for company physical training and workout drills," he said.

The only times the court is unoccupied is during the heat of the day while Soldiers are either on mission or seeking shelter from the excessive temperatures of an Iraq summer.

"The court is being used everyday by our Soldiers," Hunter said.

• Date Taken: 08.23.2008
• Date Posted: 08.23.2008 11:40
• Story ID: 22795
• Location: IQ