Update from Camp Habbaniyah

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings From Camp Habbaniyah!

After a grueling 23 hour flight from California to Kuwait, Task Force 2/24 has now finally arrived in Iraq and has begun to turnover with 1st BN, 1st Marines (1/1). 1/1 has done a superb job over the past 7 months of their deployment and we are fortunate to be relieving such a fine Battalion. The turnover of Forward Operating Bases (FOB's) and Combat Out Posts (COP's) is progressing well. The Marines and Sailors are undergoing required training before they are allowed off of Camp Habbaniyah.

The Battalion is aboard Camp Habbaniyah. Camp Habbaniyah is approx. 40 miles west of Baghdad and was at one point a British Airbase. Habbaniyah was, at one point, a stopover for flights to/from India. Camp Habbaniyah sits across the road from Al Taqquadam Airbase and is nestled between the Euphrates River and a canal that feeds into Lake Habbaniyah.

If there is any one constant to life in Iraq, that would be change. As we relieve 1/1, Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 1 has relieved RCT-6 as well as I MEF will relieve II MEF. The last year has seen significant progress and significant change in Anbar Province. Your Marines and Sailors are prepared for the months ahead.

Congratulations to all the Key Volunteers on being selected for the DOD Family Readiness Award recipient. Your hard work and effort has set the Gold Standard for Family Readiness. To the entire Key Volunteer network my heartfelt congratulations.

I also want to take this time to say thank you for your continued support to our Marines and Sailors. They are able to do the great things they do because of your support. I know that this deployment is not only challenging for the Marines, it is a challenge for you as well. There are people who can help, all you need to do is ask. The KV's will help you get the assistance that you need. We will make every effort to keep you informed of what is going on and to keep you posted on the good things your Marines are doing.

I am privileged to serve with your Sons, husbands, and brothers. These are by far the best Marines and Sailors I have had the honor to serve with. They are going to do great things here in Iraq.

Kudo's to the following Marines for a job well done over the last month:
Cpl Castenada, Cpl Peterson, LCpl Sobek, GySgt Cortese, Cpl Wayerski SSgt Weix, LCpl Hughes, Cpl Cabrales, Cpl Macias, LCpl Abernathy and LCpl Vandervinne

God Bless and Semper Fi.

From FOB Habbaniyah

Mayhem 6