Comments for Life at Joint Base Balad - JBB - Iraq

Comment on Life at McGregor Range by John Welch

John Welch — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:55:17 +0000

I was stationed at McGregor range from about January, 1960 through April, 1961. Your pictures show it has not changed that much over the last fifty years. During my time there the Army was hoping to reopen the school at Fort Bliss and was “stockpiling” potential instructors out at the range. There were about 800 graduates out there (including 80 E-6′s) but only one authorized position for that MOS in Headquarters Battery.I was used as a clerk despite a 93 average through both Ajax and Hercules schools.

Comment on The Ugandan Guards by Julius Amuka

Julius Amuka — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:39:41 +0000

Julius Amuka Ugandan veteran,
Despite of all the bad weather and the stressful working environment,I loved working with the USFORCES at the south ECP Balad! I stil miss u guys,God bless u!

Comment on Life at McGregor Range by Bob

Bob — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:42:26 +0000

I was at McGregor Rance in 1960, manning Security at the Front gate. got hit by a Scorpion in the Guardhouse. What a Spartan place that was 50 years ago. They ran a Bus into Elpaso twice a day. No Movie, No pool, just Sand and more Sand! Greeks fire a Missle in March 1960 that firen and came right back on them. Lucky, it wasn’t laoded. food was terrible, Mess Sgt. was half wasted every day. Not a good Experience.

Comment on Hero’s Highway by BGPreece

BGPreece — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:13:37 +0000

Just read your blog (Aug 2012). I worked at Anaconda for a year myself. I loved it! Yes, Dfac3 was the best. Once I asked the filipino serving breakfast if he had sausage gravy for the biscuits. He didnt understand but put something on top of my biscuits anyway. It looked weird & I couldnt tell what it was. When I got the nerve up, it was oatmeal! I laughed so hard!

Comment on Back at Fort Bliss (McGregor Range, New Mexico) by Crawdad

Crawdad — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:46:20 +0000

After Viet Nam was at McGregor Range C Battery 1/3 ADA in 72. According to the aerial image the big change is a Battalion HQ building and new barracks to the north. Anybody remember Hiway 54 bar on the Texas/New Mexico border? Neither state would claim it.

Comment on At Camp Buehring, Kuwait by briannomi

briannomi — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:25:55 +0000

All very true. If I spent an entire year there, I suppose I’d get into the same attitude as you. It’s a harsh place, and the desert moonscape and intense sun make a strong impression on people going into the middle east for the first time.

Comment on At Camp Buehring, Kuwait by atroutdude

atroutdude — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 01:50:16 +0000

I spent 9 months stationed at Camp Buehring from May 2008 to Feb 2009. It is not a bad place to be considering the other options out there. It is a very, very large base with many options if you know where to start looking. If you are “permanent party” to the camp you can barrow DVD’s, CD’s and video games from the MRW building near the AT&T phone center across from the main PX for free. You just need a letter from your CO to do this. If you are just moving through, sorry that option is not available to you. The USO at Camp Buehring is one of the largest Southwest Asia. If you are passing through it is a great place to hang out, watch a movie in the theater, use the phones for FREE, check email and play a video game. They have a game center that has multiple X-Box, PS3 and Wii consoles. If you are being stationed there please considering volunteering some of your free time to help them out. For me it was how I stayed sane. The MWR has a great gym behind the main defac that is would rival any stateside gym. They offer classes and it is a great way to work out some of the stress. The MWR did offer weekly run/walks, a movie theater and other options to keep you busy, use them. Lastly there are a number of colleges and universities that offer classes on site and online. It is a great way to get ahead while being away from home. A deployment is what you make of it. I made some great friends that I still keep in contact, even after three years almost 4. You can sit in your room and play video games, watch stuff on your TV or get out and do something for yourself and others. I would encourage you to get out and do something, it makes the time go by a lot faster.

Comment on T-Wall Art by Don Threlkeld

Don Threlkeld — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:01:23 +0000

I spent 6 years on JBB as a DoD Contractor. The T-Wall art was the most amazing part driving around the Base. Seeing these being painted over was a very sad feeling. But all of them where being trucked out when this Base was closing. This was my home from Sept 30 2005 to Oct 1 2011.

Comment on Hero’s Highway by umer ahmed

umer ahmed — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:26:55 +0000

hi,i am umer from pakista, i al ready work with aafes px in lsa joint base balad,i want again work with them or other company if have job for any plz contact me umer_mughal2000@yahoo.com. thanks

Comment on Back at Fort Bliss (McGregor Range, New Mexico) by Richard Kingery

Richard Kingery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:10:29 +0000

I was stationed at McGreager range from 66-67. I was in charge of keeping the OP’s cleaned and in good repair. We had dignitaries from all over the world to watch the firing of the Nike-Hercules,Nike-Ajax and Hawk missiles. I also was in charge of building the bus stop on the range. It was built with rocks from the Prather ranch house. They were the owners of the land before the government took over. Does any one know if that bus stop is still there? Also as you came into the range there were missiles set up along the road at the gate. Are they still there? I put those up too.