FOB Iskandariyah
Encyclopedia
Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah (Arabic:إسكندرية), or FOB Iskandariyah, was a United States military forward operating base
located on the grounds of the Musayyib Power Plant and the banks of the Euphrates River, north of the town of Musayyib
, Babil Governorate, Iraq
from 2003 to 2009.
Iskandariyah was first established as Forward Operating Base
Chosin
by 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment
, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. This facility largely consisted of tents and other structures of a temporary nature. During this period, 1-32nd IN
also established facilities for the 507th Iraqi National Guard Battalion. Responsibility for all these facilities were handed over to 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
for a brief period, while 1-32nd IN
was posted to Camp Habbaniyah near Fallujah
in April 2004 before returning in June of the same year. The 1-32nd IN
remained at FOB
Chosin until the facilities were turned over to the headquarters of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
late in 2004. All facilities were partially dismantled following the tenure of the 24th MEU
. One remaining vestige of the previous designation carried over in the name of Landing Zone
Chosin
when the facility became known as Forward Operating Base
Iskandariyah.
area, the facility was deemed as vital to continued security operations by the United States military and Iraqi security forces. The location also provided a mid-point for traffic between Baghdad
and Karbala
. Therefore, a permanent tenant was established with the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the Mississippi National Guard
during Operation Iraqi Freedom III, beginning in 2005. Operation Iraqi Freedom IV followed in late 2005 with the transfer of authority to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. A nearby facility for 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Division (Iraqi Army
) was established immediately adjacent as Iraqi forces undertook increased organized participation in local security operations. A US Army Military Transition Team was assigned to this facility to oversee training, coordinate combined operations and facilitate additional US military resources. The 1-67th AR
contributed to dramatic improvements in the quality of living facilities and security measures protecting the FOB
. In late 2006, authority was in turn transferred to 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom V. This rotation coincided with the Iraq War troop surge of 2007
and the first cooperation with Sunnis formed into what was then locally known as the Concerned Citizens' Program (CCP)
, part of the wider Sons of Iraq movement
. FOB
Iskandariyah also experienced a significant increase in forces as 1-501st IN (ABN) expanded into an enlarged battalion task force. Facility improvement continued as well as cooperation with civil authorities to maintain and increase capacity of both the co-located power plant and a nearby gas facility under construction. Attacks against the facility diminished during the period following increased security efforts by US and Iraqi forces.
to the authority of 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment
of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Their tenure during Operation Iraqi Freedom VI was marked by a continued decrease in insurgent violence as seen throughout the 2008 campaign year and constituted a factor in the eventual determination to return control of security efforts and government authority to Babil governorate authorities. The return of provincial control also created favorable conditions for the closure of FOB
Iskandariyah in late 2008. In 2009, the successors of 3-7th IN
, elements of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, began the process necessary to close American facilities on the installation and pass the FOB
to Iraqi control. On 22 February 2009, the 172nd Infantry Brigade formally returned the FOB
to Iraqi control.
As Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
located on the grounds of the Musayyib Power Plant and the banks of the Euphrates River, north of the town of Musayyib
Musayyib
Musayyib is a city in the Babil Province, Iraq. As of 2003, its population is 279,939. Musayyib sits on both the east and west banks of the Euphrates River, which splits into the Hindiya and Hilla branches just south of the city. Musayyib's municipal government has heavy representation from the...
, Babil Governorate, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
from 2003 to 2009.
Establishment
Forward Operating Base (FOB)Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Iskandariyah was first established as Forward Operating Base
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Chosin
Chosin
The term Chosin has several meanings:*USS Chosin , a cruiser of the United States Navy.*Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a battle of the 1950-53 Korean War.*Lake Changjin, an artificial lake in Changjin County, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea...
by 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment
32d Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. This facility largely consisted of tents and other structures of a temporary nature. During this period, 1-32nd IN
32d Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
also established facilities for the 507th Iraqi National Guard Battalion. Responsibility for all these facilities were handed over to 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
for a brief period, while 1-32nd IN
32d Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
was posted to Camp Habbaniyah near Fallujah
Fallujah
Fallujah is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Jewish academies for many centuries....
in April 2004 before returning in June of the same year. The 1-32nd IN
32d Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
remained at FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Chosin until the facilities were turned over to the headquarters of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
late in 2004. All facilities were partially dismantled following the tenure of the 24th MEU
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
. One remaining vestige of the previous designation carried over in the name of Landing Zone
Landing Zone
A Landing Zone or "LZ" is a military term for any area where an aircraft can land.In the United States military, a landing zone is the actual point where aircraft land...
Chosin
Chosin
The term Chosin has several meanings:*USS Chosin , a cruiser of the United States Navy.*Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a battle of the 1950-53 Korean War.*Lake Changjin, an artificial lake in Changjin County, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea...
when the facility became known as Forward Operating Base
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Iskandariyah.
Reestablishment as FOB Iskandariyah
As the site of a major power production center for the greater BaghdadBaghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
area, the facility was deemed as vital to continued security operations by the United States military and Iraqi security forces. The location also provided a mid-point for traffic between Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
and Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
. Therefore, a permanent tenant was established with the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the Mississippi National Guard
Mississippi National Guard
The Mississippi National Guard is Mississippi's component of the United States National Guard.The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to...
during Operation Iraqi Freedom III, beginning in 2005. Operation Iraqi Freedom IV followed in late 2005 with the transfer of authority to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
The 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment was originally constituted on 24 March 1923 in the Regular Army as Company A, 19th Tank Battalion. It was redesignated on 1 September 1929 as Company A, 2d Tank Regiment. It converted and was redesignated 25 October 1932 as Company A, 67th Infantry...
of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. A nearby facility for 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Division (Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
) was established immediately adjacent as Iraqi forces undertook increased organized participation in local security operations. A US Army Military Transition Team was assigned to this facility to oversee training, coordinate combined operations and facilitate additional US military resources. The 1-67th AR
1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
The 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment was originally constituted on 24 March 1923 in the Regular Army as Company A, 19th Tank Battalion. It was redesignated on 1 September 1929 as Company A, 2d Tank Regiment. It converted and was redesignated 25 October 1932 as Company A, 67th Infantry...
contributed to dramatic improvements in the quality of living facilities and security measures protecting the FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
. In late 2006, authority was in turn transferred to 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom V. This rotation coincided with the Iraq War troop surge of 2007
Iraq War troop surge of 2007
In the context of the Iraq War, the surge refers to United States President George W. Bush's 2007 increase in the number of American troops in order to provide security to Baghdad and Al Anbar Province....
and the first cooperation with Sunnis formed into what was then locally known as the Concerned Citizens' Program (CCP)
Awakening movements in Iraq
The National Council for the Awakening of Iraq , also known as the Sunni Awakening movement Anbar Awakening or the Sons of Iraq program, are coalitions between tribal Sheikhs in a particular province in Iraq that unite to maintain security in their communities.-About:The movement started among...
, part of the wider Sons of Iraq movement
Awakening movements in Iraq
The National Council for the Awakening of Iraq , also known as the Sunni Awakening movement Anbar Awakening or the Sons of Iraq program, are coalitions between tribal Sheikhs in a particular province in Iraq that unite to maintain security in their communities.-About:The movement started among...
. FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Iskandariyah also experienced a significant increase in forces as 1-501st IN (ABN) expanded into an enlarged battalion task force. Facility improvement continued as well as cooperation with civil authorities to maintain and increase capacity of both the co-located power plant and a nearby gas facility under construction. Attacks against the facility diminished during the period following increased security efforts by US and Iraqi forces.
Last US military tenant unit and closure
After an extended 15-month tour, 1-501st IN (ABN) transferred the FOBForward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
to the authority of 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment
7th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottenbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the...
of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Their tenure during Operation Iraqi Freedom VI was marked by a continued decrease in insurgent violence as seen throughout the 2008 campaign year and constituted a factor in the eventual determination to return control of security efforts and government authority to Babil governorate authorities. The return of provincial control also created favorable conditions for the closure of FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
Iskandariyah in late 2008. In 2009, the successors of 3-7th IN
7th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottenbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the...
, elements of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, began the process necessary to close American facilities on the installation and pass the FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
to Iraqi control. On 22 February 2009, the 172nd Infantry Brigade formally returned the FOB
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
to Iraqi control.
Tenant military organizations
As Forward Operating Base Chosin- 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment32d Infantry Regiment (United States)The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division) (2003–2004) - 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division1st Armored Division (United States)The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
(2004) - 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment32d Infantry Regiment (United States)The 32nd Infantry Regiment is a formation of the United States Army.-History:The 32nd Regiment was first organized on 7 August 1916, on Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii from elements of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments...
, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Attached to 1st Regimental Combat Team, 1st Marine Division) (2004) - Headquarters, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit24th Marine Expeditionary UnitThe 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
(2004)
As Forward Operating Base Iskandariyah
- 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment (Battalion Landing Team 1-2), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit24th Marine Expeditionary UnitThe 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
(2004–2005) - 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi National GuardMississippi National GuardThe Mississippi National Guard is Mississippi's component of the United States National Guard.The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to...
(2005) - 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment1st Battalion, 67th Armor RegimentThe 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment was originally constituted on 24 March 1923 in the Regular Army as Company A, 19th Tank Battalion. It was redesignated on 1 September 1929 as Company A, 2d Tank Regiment. It converted and was redesignated 25 October 1932 as Company A, 67th Infantry...
, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (2005–2006) - 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Division (Iraqi ArmyIraqi ArmyThe Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
) Co-Located (2006–present) - 3rd Platoon, 988th Military Police Company (2006)
- 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) , 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (2006–2007)
- 1st, 3rd Squad, 2nd Platoon, 127th Military Police Company (2006-2008)
- 3rd Platoon, 127th Military Police Company (2006-2007)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment7th Infantry Regiment (United States)The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottenbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the...
, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (2007–2008) - 172nd Infantry Brigade (2009-closure)