AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTallil Air Base: More luxury, less busy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tallil Air Base, Iraq — Like many of the soldiers of the Georgia National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team, Staff. Sgt. Floyd Barnes had looked forward to moving away from dusty Camp Striker near the Baghdad airport farther south to Tallil Air Base.
The brigade would be in a much safer place and the facilities were plush compared to the tents and makeshift offices and recreational facilities at Striker.
At Tallil’s Base Camp Adder, soldiers are housed in trailers, which for the most part are much cleaner and more private than the 16-man tents that the Georgia soldiers occupied up north. And they get to sleep on real beds with relatively new mattresses. No more sleeping bags on Army cots.
“We all love it here. Time’s just slow,” said Spc. Daryl White, 34, a corrections officer from Douglas and a soldier in the 648th Engineer Battalion’s Charlie Company. “But we don’t have mortars coming in here. It’s a lot safer.”
Some of the boredom translates into more crowded recreational facilities here at Tallil.
“It seems that there was more to do up there,” Barnes said as he sat behind the takeout desk at the chow hall here. He said he enjoyed his job more at Striker because he stayed busier - security concerns mandated tougher rules such as searches of civilians entering the facilities on base.
“To me, it’s kind of isolating down here,” Barnes said. “Maybe that’s because I’m not going out on convoys.”
Striker was as smaller facility. It was easier to run into friends, stop to have conversations. Here, the distances between living areas, company headquarters and other facilities are much greater.
Because units such as the 2nd Battalion, 121sy Infantry Regiment, are providing security for long convoys to military bases up north, including Anaconda, Liberty and Scania, soldiers are often gone for days. When they return, they are tired and spend their time resting in their trailers.
Barnes said soldiers at Striker were able to visit other bases nearby such as Liberty or Slayer. They could eat at different places, shop at a variety of PXs and attend events outside Striker.
Here, the 48th soldiers are restricted to the air base.
But what about the more comfy accommodations?
“I was here in ‘91 when we didn’t have any [air conditioning],” Barnes said. “So, living in tents didn’t bother me.”
But not all shared that opinion. Some soldiers are elated to be here at Tallil.
“I’ll take safe and comfortable any day,” said 1st Lt. John-Paul Laurenceau, a database administrator from Lawrenceville who serves in the brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Mistee Lambert
January 17, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this
I would like to say thank you for this article.I understand how not staying busy makes days go by slow. I can only say, I am so glad that these guys are in a safer area. It really helps me to know this because, my husband is with the 2/121st and I spend countless days and nights worrying about how safe he really is.THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. I LOVE YOU TRIPPIN, LOVE ALWAYS, TRIPPIN II
By me too
January 17, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this
I agree Mistee. Great article, great news that the soldiers are safer. Mine is not in the same place as yours but he is safer too now. Thank God for answering our prayers.
By beth ethridge
January 17, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
This article makes it sound like the soldiers with this company don’t have anything much to do. My son is with this company. However, he doesn’t stay inside the wire and have the luxury time as reported. He escorts convoys 6 days a week with very little free time. They are still in danger because they never know what they may run into. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Proud Soldier Mom, Beth Ethridge
By beth ethridge
January 17, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Not all soldiers with this company have the luxury of having free time. My son is with this company and he escorts conveys as much as 6 days at a time and he has very little free time to enjoy the luxury of a trailer. Even though they are safer than at Camp Stryker they are still in danger. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Proud Soldier Mom, Beth Ethridge
By worried wife
January 17, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
My husband is in the 48th but he isn’t stationed at Tallil. He and some of the others are scattered out to Scania and other RP’s. They don’t have it so plush. They are doing patrols and guard duty. They don’t have too much time on their hands. He hasn’t complained once about being in a safer zone. As a matter of fact he is relieved and so am I. My question is to all the other families, we are hearing rumors that the 48th may be home as early as April even though Rodheaver says May. Does anyone out there really know when they will arrive home. The families need time to plan and save money for the trip to Stewart and I don’t think a 72-hour notice is enough time to plan and book hotel rooms. We all know how hard it is to book a room early, so imagine the trouble of booking one on a 3-day notice. Some of the hotels are already booked up for the middle to the end of May with anticipation of the guys return. And we all need time to notify our jobs of vacation days needed. So if you have any real info please post it. Thanks for your time.
By we all care
January 17, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
I’m sure, Beth, that all of the soldiers have plenty to do. There are no luxuries for any of them. There is one thing that we have to look at, there MOS plays a big part in what they are doing while they are there. I pray for each and everyone of these soldiers, no matter who or where they are. These are OUR soldiers, each and every one.I will keep your son in my prayers. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!
By Jenny
January 18, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
In response to “Worried Wife”:
Even if you did have a “definite” date of when they are to arrive home, keep in mind that things change at a moment’s notice. The day my husband was to return home, he called me just as I was packing the car to say they had been delayed and had no idea when they were coming. Two weeks later I was sitting at Ft. Stewart, and waited 8 more hours for them to finally arrive. Best advice I can give is to go ahead and start planning and saving now. Talk with employers about the projected time frame for redeployment. You may be surprised at how understanding and flexible some employers will be wih military spouses. The hotels around Ft. Stewart are also used to this sort of thing and are pretty accommodating if you call and talk to them. Just take it one day at a time and you’ll get through it. Plenty of us have already been in your shoes. Anticipate April but plan on May.
By we all care
January 18, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
To worried wife, I have been told the same. But the next day it changes.I wish that our soldiers were told proper info, yes it does cause alot of problems not knowing. This is the type pf situation we should most definately be prepared for way in advance.Alot of preparations have to be done for these soldiers returning home.I will try to keep u posted on anything i may hear for sure.
By savannah wife
January 18, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
If you are having problems booking hotel rooms in Hinesville look in Richmond Hill and Savannah (I-94 and 204 exit). The drive to Ft. Stewart from there is only about 30 minutes, there is more of a selection and you may be able to get better room rates.
By j. Layer
January 18, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
My son also spends alot of time doing convoys, sounds like they could organize things so those working long and often could get a break.
By Batman
January 22, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
To all family members who have or have had troops at “Tallil” the base is huge and the only reason that they are or were “Bored” is the lack of support from their Command. I was in charge of MWR at this base and at every turn the “people” in charge didn’t give a damn about the troops. It was always about themselves. I apologize to all of you but I did my best to make your life’s easier. Officer’s GO Figure, No wonder the Morale is so low in our Armed Forces
By K.Thompson
January 22, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait for their return. Most recently I heard from my friend there that they would be returning mid-May ! Of course I would love sooner and would do anything to be there when he does come home ! He also tells me of being bored out of his mind but that has changed since he started going outside the wire again. I just pray for his safety and tell him to stay focused and sharp. We are too close to homecoming to let our guard down ! TO SPC Brad Shawhan I miss you terribly and look forward to the day when we are together again !
By sad
January 23, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks for trying Batman. It’s a sad state of affairs when we hear things like this time and again.