116th BCT soldiers comment on unexpected luxuries in Iraq

Editor's Note: The following press release was recently received from CPT Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs, serving in Iraq with the 116th Engineering Battalion of the Idaho National Guard. Some of the soldiers of that battalion are from the Orofino Armory.

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq - Many soldiers from the 116th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) are surprised at some of the luxuries that exist even on the smaller bases they are serving at in north-central Iraq.

During a recent visit to Forwarding Operating Base (FOB) McHenry in western Kirkuk province, soldiers mentioned phone service, shops, air conditioning and gym facilities as amenities they enjoy, but did not expect.

"I would have to say a luxury here is the availability of phones," said Spc. Nicholas Moran, Task Force 1-163 Infantry headquarters company soldier. "Keeping in touch with friends and family is important to all soldiers."

At FOB McHenry, soldiers have communication with families back home, such as; internet, phones and mail services.

"I like the access to shops [Post Exchange (PX)] and using the phones," said Spc. Kenton Hamman, TF 1-163rd IN headquarters company soldier. "I didn't think we would be able to call home."

The living areas that the soldiers live in are called Contained Housing Units or CHU's. About two soldiers share a CHU space. With the beginning of hot summer months and temperatures reaching above one hundred degrees, soldiers are doing what they can to stay cool.

"I like the fact that after a hard days work, you can go back to the air conditioned CHU," said Spc. Shane Medley, TF 1-163 Infantry Charlie company soldier.

Another unexpected convenience at FOB McHenry is the gym. To relieve stresses, soldiers need to release a little tension and do something constructive, like running or working out. The gym is the perfect solution for many soldiers.

"I like going to the gym and working out in the facility we have," said 1st Lt. Steve Arnett, a 116 Engineer Charlie company soldier. "I also like shopping at the mini PX on post."

When first getting deployed to Iraq, most soldiers were not expecting to have the same things that they were used to at home.

"Really, I did not expect anything," said Sgt. Jay Cooley, a TF 1-163 Infantry headquarters company soldier.

While they may not have 24-hour access to shops, grocery stores, pizza parlors, and other conveniences of home, the luxuries that soldiers do enjoy came as a surprise to most. Most soldiers identified at least one luxury they have in Iraq that they did not expect before coming into country.

The 116th BCT includes headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion and various intelligence, signal and specialized units. With component units from the states of Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, New Jersey and Maryland, the 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units that is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.