Courtesy Photo | A Soldier greets two boys near a checkpoint in Ramadi, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. ...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Julie Nicolov Multi-National Corps " Iraq
CAMP CORREGIDOR, Iraq - During World War II, Allies used the island of Corregidor, a small rocky island in the Philippines, as a headquarters in the Pacific area of operations. It was a strategic outpost, guarding Manila Bay and serving also as the seat of the Philippine commonwealth.
After the Japanese began their assault on the Philippine islands in December of 1941, the Allies fought to maintain their position. In early April 1942, the Japanese took control of Bataan. For 27 days, the American and the Filipino Soldiers protected Corregidor while subsisting on 30 ounces of food and two rations of water per day. Life on the Island of Corregidor was harsh to say the least.
Life at Camp Corregidor in Ramadi, Iraq is a little better.
When the men of Animal Company, 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard moved onto the camp in July, they found a post with plenty of dust, but no indoor plumbing, running water or hot meals.
"The bathroom on the first floor was a storage room, and the one on the second floor was infested with pigeons," said Cpt. Kevin Kearney, commander, A Co., a state police officer from Paxinos, Pa.
WHO HAD CORREGIDOR BEFORE ANIMAL COMPANY???
Animal Co. was sent to Corregidor from Camp Taqqadum to supplement the tankers of 2nd Bn., 69th Armor Regt. They'll finish out their 12-month deployment at Corregidor.
The men of Animal Co. took a quick inventory of their new home, and put their civilian skills to good use.
"We got showers and latrines inside and helped the other companies with their power," said 1st Sgt. Lonnie Cobb, first sergeant, Animal Co., an electrician from Wyalusing, Pa.
Before the desert's cold evenings set in at the end of summer, the men of Animal Co. hooked up water heaters and opened a chow hall that provides three hot meals a day.
Life is still primitive. The water often runs out and they have to use baby wipes to clean up after midnight raids and three day rotations at observation posts throughout the city.
They still have to use burnout latrines, but the company headquarters building has an internet and phone café and a protected deck where they can relax and talk. The internet is slow and the chow hall often runs out of sodas and regular milk.
The post exchange only comes through once a month. In the meantime, troops can buy their cigarettes and candy from the tiny shop set up by a local.
Most bases throughout the country have had basic amenities for years. Hiring contractors to take maintain porta-toilets and do construction work around Corregidor is difficult because of its proximity to the Sunni-dominated city of Ramadi. The insurgency often attacks Iraqis who assist the Coalition.
"Once local workers migrate inside the city (where Camps Ramadi, Blue Diamond and Hurricane Point are located), no one really knows what they're doing or why," said Maj. Earl Higgins, operations officer, 2nd Bn., 69th Armor Regt. "If they go anywhere near Corregidor (on the outskirts of town), the insurgents know they're working with the Americans."
Even without the amenities Soldiers have at larger bases in Iraq, Corregidor still has its good points.
"Sure, a lot of bases are nicer, but I like the people here," said Spc. Jen Renninger, a medic from C Company, 228th Forward Support Battalion, 28th Division Support Command who occasionally works at Corregidor. She hails from Higgins, Pa.
The troops help each other keep their chins up.
"Morale seems high. You have your usual nitpicky things, but we're a joking bunch," Cobb said.
They've gotten used to the things about Camp Corregidor that they can't change.
The mail is slow and the newspapers are often a week old, but boxes of toiletries and snacks are stacked to the ceiling outside the company's command office, reminding the Soldiers that even though they're away from home, family members and even complete strangers still support them.
"It's not so bad if you don't mind the dust and flies and mosquitoes," said Staff Sgt. Frank Jost, tanker, 3rd Platoon, Animal Co., 3rd Bn., 103 Armor Regt.
Their time here, however, has affected how they view life back in the states.
"I'm going to have an appreciation for not wearing flip flops in the shower, being able to flush a toilet, opening my own refrigerator in my own kitchenâ?¦that sort of stuff," Renninger said.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2005 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 4234 |
| Location: | CAMP CORREGIDOR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 2,441 |
| Downloads: | 152 |
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