Dreamland (Fallujah, Iraq)

Camp Baharia, also known as Dreamland or FOB Volturno, was a U.S. military installation that was located just outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq. It was the smaller of two major U.S. military bases maintained just outside the Fallujah city limits, during the Iraq War.

Etymology
Camp Baharia was often referred to by U.S. soldiers by its original nickname, "Dreamland". The camp was specifically named after the U.S. Marine Corps, using an Arabic word for Marine Corps, mushaat al-baharia, which translates roughly into walkers of the navy or naval infantry. The camp was referred to as "FOB Volturno" by the U.S. Army, and as "Camp Baharia" by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Background
Prior to the Iraq War, Camp Baharia once operated as a Baath Party resort, where it was used as an opulent fortress where Qusay Hussein and Uday Hussein would stay.

Dreamland was first occupied by a small element of the 82nd Airborne in April of 2003 but was quickly turned over to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment before the end of the month. Dreamland was then taken over by 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division but returned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment when the 3rd Infantry Division returned home. As 2003 came to a close, Dreamland was taken over and operated by the 82nd Airborne Division until 3rd Battalion 5th Marines took over the forward operating base in September 2004.

History
Camp Baharia sat adjacent to a large former Mujahideen-e-Khalq compound, the MEK Compound, which was the main U.S. base for forces in Fallujah from 2003 to 2009. The site was officially named Forward Operating base ("FOB") Volturno by the U.S. Army in 2003 and renamed Camp Baharia when the U.S. Marines took control of the base from the U.S. Army in 2004. The camp was home to soldiers from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines.

In popular culture

 * Camp Baharia was featured in a 2006 documentary film, Occupation: Dreamland, which followed U.S. Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne based at Camp Baharia.