Camp Taji

Camp Taji was a military installation, also known as Camp Cooke used by coalition forces near Taji or Al Taji (التاجي), Iraq. The camp is located in a rural region approximately 20 mi north of the city of Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate.

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. UNSCOM found at Taji 6,000 empty canisters designed to be filled with chemical weapons for use in 122mm rockets.

According to the Gulf War Airpower Survey, there was a Sector Operations Center located at Al Taji. The airbase is served by a 5500 ft runway. Taji was also the largest tank maintenance facility in Iraq.

Taji was heavily bombed during Operation Desert Fox in which 13 different targets in the Camp were hit during the December 1998 air strikes.

The base came under American control following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2003-2004
Apr 2003 Al Taji was an airfield and supply depot for Saddam Husseins military prior to the invasion of Iraq.The 14th Combat Engineer BN and 5th Combat Engineer BN "The Fighting Fifth" attached to 4th ID  pushed from Kuwait to Al Taji Iraq and cleared the majority of buildings an Al Taji. It was simply referred to as Taji. The 14th ENGR BN pushed further to Tikrit 5th Engr left C.CO and HHC on Taji pushing B.co and A Co. farther into Iraq. C.Co 5th Engr cleared and secured buildings and the perimeter of the Al Taji airfield  along with an infantry Unit from a US National Guard. After the C.co 5th Engineers and a National Guard infantry unit had already cleared the Airfield and supply depot.Several weapons and mortar caches were found and taken control of on Taji and the surrounding area. ( More to come have to talk to others who were actually there to make sure timelines are correct first)

The camp was occupied by the Division Artillery (DIVARTY) of the 4th Infantry Division the base was then referred to as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gunner by some Coalition Troops after the Artillery commander (Col Stramera ) who came later as his call sign was Gunner 6, changed the FOB name to FOB Gunner, after the C.co 5th Engineers and a National Guard Infantry unit had already cleared the  Airfield and supply depot. though most still simply referred to it as Al Taji or simply Taji. The Base Defense Operations Center and Mayor Cell during this time was operated by the 44th RAOC, Illinois Army National Guard.

The 751st Quartermaster Army reserve unit from Mesa, AZ was there providing much needed fuel and supplies for the day to day operations of the base. Building the F.S.S.P. (Fuel System Supply Point) to supply the base and surrounding area. They also ran C.E.M. (Captured Enemy Materials) warehouses, storing weapons, ammo, vehicles, statues, and anything deemed historically significant.

2004-2005
In February 2004 the 4th ID DIVARTY handed the camp over to elements of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. 3rd BCT had been in the process of redeploying, some of its elements having already moved to Kuwait, when it was informed that it would have to assume control of Camp Taji until units from 1st Cavalry Division arrived in March. 3rd BCT deployed 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery, the 70th Engineer Battalion and elements of 1st Battalion 69th Armor Regiment to Camp Taji to fill this six week gap. While under the control of 1st Armored Division, the Camp was renamed Camp Cooke, in honor of the 1st Armored Division Command Sergeant Major who was killed during OIF I. 3rd BCT was relieved at Camp Taji on 24 March 2004 by 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, an element of the 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. 1st Cavalry Division elements stationed at Camp Taji included:
 * The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from the Arkansas National Guard.
 * The 1st Cavalry Division Support Command,
 * 4th Brigade (Aviation), 1st Cavalry Division, including the 1st Battalion (Attack), 25th Aviation Regiment from the 25th Infantry Division, and Co. E 3/126 Avn (Air Traffic Control) MAARNG, 615th ASB (Aviation Support Battalion).
 * 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment which was assigned to the 256th Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana National Guard.
 * 51 RAOC, South Carolina National Guard which functioned as the Mayor Cell and supported the BDOC
 * 28th Signal BN from the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Early in the 1CD rotation (OIF II), an order was issued by MND-B that all Forward Operating Bases would have Arabic names, so Camp Cooke reverted to Camp Taji and the new Dining Facility at Camp Taji was renamed in honor of CSM Cooke. The 39 BCT controlled the Area of Operations surrounding Camp Taji at this time. The 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery of the 39th BCT along with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery of the Rhode Island National Guard where the main base defense force in 2004 to include gate security, QRF, as well as convoy escort and the inherent Field artillery mission. The 1-206th FA and A/1-103rd FA supplied a Military Assistance Training Team to train, live with and fight alongside the 307th Iraqi National Guard Battalion.

The 593rd Corps Support Group was also headquartered at Camp Taji at this time.

The basic units stationed at Camp Taji have remained the same:
 * At least one, and up to three Brigade Combat Teams;
 * The Combat Aviation Brigade Supporting Multi-National Division - Baghdad (MND-B); and,
 * The Sustainment Command supporting MND-B

2005-2006
The 39th Brigade Combat Team was relieved by 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in March 2005. This was the same Brigade that had been relieved by 1-206th FA in March 2004. 3rd BCT, 1AD deployed in 2005 as an element of 3rd Infantry Division which was assigned as the Multi National Division - Baghdad headquarters for OIF III. The 1-118th Field Artillery Battalion, of the 48th IBCT, Georgia Army National Guard was attached to 3rd BCT, 1AD during this time. The 4-1 FA relieved 1-206th FA of the Base Defense and Field Artillery Support missions at this time. 51 RAOC was relieved of Mayor Cell responsibilities by 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery Regiment, Minnesota National Guard.

4th Infantry Division elements stationed at Camp Taji included: -428th Qm Company.
 * 4th Sustainment Brigade.
 * Crusader Battery 1-377 FAR, deployed from Fort Campbell Kentucky,attached to the 4th Sustainment Brigade.
 * Various other units.

2006-2007
3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division was relieved by elements of the 4th Infantry Division in 2006. 1st Battalion, 327 Field Artillery served as the Mayor Cell during this period.

In November 2006, the 4th Infantry Division was relieved, and 1st Cavalry Division was once again in control of the base. The Mayor Cell was supplied at this time by 786th Quarter Master Battalion from the Virgin Islands National Guard. The Base Defense Operations Center was operated by members of 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.

September 2006 to September 2007. 115FA of the Tennessee Army National Guard operated from Bldg. 55 providing gun truck security to supply convoys throughout the region. Also in 2007, The 756th Transportation Company (Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants), while stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05–07, successfully delivered millions of gallons of class IIIB (bulk petroleum) and transported fuel over 200,000 miles throughout the Multinational Division-Baghdad sector. This was possible because of the skills the 756th developed in theater that allowed the unit to transform organically to react to opposing forces. Included in the delivery of Petroleum the soldiers of the 756th aided in Security of the FOB (Forward Operating Base on tower patrol as well as dinning facility security. The 756th assisted with aid to the Multinational Force – Iraq (MNF–I), often referred to as the coalition forces, was a military command during much of the Iraq War, that was led by the United States of America and its allies. The MNF-I was responsible for conducting and handling military operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and for much of the Iraq War. Multinational Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United States Forces – Iraq, on 1 January 2010. The Force was significantly reinforced during the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. As of May 2011, all non-U.S. coalition members had withdrawn from Iraq,[3] with the U.S. military withdrawing from the country on December 18, 2011, thus, bringing about an end to the Iraq War.[4]

2007-2008
In December 2007 the 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control and Camp Taji was occupied by multiple brigade sized elements from a variety of units, until they were relieved by the 4th Infantry Division. The 621st Troop Support Command, Arkansas National Guard acted as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell) from October 2007 through March 2008 when it was relieved by 1-206th FA. Force protection duties were performed by a number of units, including elements of the California Army National Guard's 1-143rd FA.

2008-2009
In March 2008, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery returned to Camp Taji, this time as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell. At this time the Base Defense Operations Center was operated by 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, a part of the 25th Infantry Division, which was assigned to 4th Infantry Division for the deployment. the 2-11 FA was responsible for securing a security contract to provide over 900 private contractor security guard to provide gate and tower guards for Camp Taji, relieving two National Guard Companies of these responsibilities and decreasing the need to mobilize units for these duties in the future. 1-206th FA was relieve by the 949th Brigade Support Battalion, Texas National Guard, in December 2008. 2-11 FA was relieved of the BDOC mission by 1st Battalion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in January 2009.



2009-2010
In April 2009 the 4th Infantry Division was relieved by the 1st Cavalry Division. The 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), Mississippi National Guard, assumed the dual role of Garrison Command and Base Defense Operations Center in July 2009, relieving both the 949 BSB and the 1-108th FA. As of March 6, 2010 The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Tennessee National Guard) officially took charge of Camp Taji Garrison Command, relieving the 155th. The Garrison Commander was COL Franklin McCauley. The 278th also assumed a dual role of Garrison Command and Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC). During the tenure of the 278th, many changes took place as the 278th had the initial role of downsizing Camp Taji. On May 1, 2010, The 278th Garrison Command took over the role of Law and Order and Military Police functions left vacant by the 26th Military Police Detachment. On July 20, 2010, the 256th BCT (Louisiana National Guard) officially took charge of the Camp Taji Garrison Command and BDOC with LTC Eric Rivers as the Garrison Commander. The downsizing continued and the far north section of Camp Taji was turned over to the Iraqi Government in December 2010.

A joint 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. It is also being used to train the newly established Iraqi Air Force. Camp Taji is broken up between two Camps that are joined by a joint Iraqi/US gate. The Iraqi side, called Camp Bennet, 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.

Facilities
In December 2004 and until October 2010, Camp Taji reportedly boasted the largest PX facilities in Iraq, with Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut franchises. Until October 2010, the food court also included Taco Bell, Popeye's Chicken, and Seattle's Best/Cinnabon. These concessions are now gone. Although the PX facility is large, it remains poorly stocked in comparison to Baghdad and Balad due to supply issues. In late May 2011, the Green Beans Coffee Shop re opened. Of some 106 bases used by the United States in Iraq, Camp Taji is considered one of 14 "enduring" bases.

Civilian contractors
Camp Taji is served at any one time by up to 2500 civilian defense contractors in addition to its military personnel. The Basic Life Support Contract (Food, Laundry, Water) is supplied by KBR.

The Maintenance and Base Support Contract (Roads and Grounds, Building Maintenance, Construction Services) is held by RMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of IAP Worldwide Services, Inc.

A significant service was provided by over 430 Iraqi translators who were working with companies such as TITAN, L3 and GLS. A large number of local interpreters were killed in action, as well as murdered by terrorists.

Significant events
On 24 April 2004, Camp Taji came under rocket attack, resulting in 4 killed in action, all members of the 39th Support Battalion, an element of the 39th Brigade Combat Team. April 24 was the highest single day casualty total for Arkansas soldiers since the Korean War.

On 06 June 2004, Castle Gate at Camp Taji, fell victim to two VBIEDs. The explosions were one after another, causing approximately 40 casualties. On August 15, 2007, nine rockets hit Camp Taji, including one at the PX immediately next to the Pizza Hut booth. Two US Soldiers and two non-Iraqi civilians were killed and five US soldiers and five Iraqi civilians were wounded. One US contractor was hit by shrapnel but not injured.

Three days after the killing of Osama bin Laden (1 May 2011), on 4 May 2011 at around 0500, a barrage of 71 rockets, mortars and artillery rounds landed within the confines of the FOB during a highly orchestrated insurgent attack. No significant injuries were reported.