Free Republic

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, July 28, 2009 – Air operations here cater to a wide range of travel needs, providing air travel for servicemembers and civilians for mission requirements and leave. An Iraqi worker guides a vehicle across the tarmac at Basra International Airport, Iraq, July 23, 2009. Air operations at Contingency Operating Base Basra are a joint effort between 3rd Air Operations Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment, and Skylink Arabia, a civilian company that employs Iraqi workers. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. As commercial aircraft land and take off at Basra...

BALAD — In 2006 the city of Balad was a melting pot for sectarian violence. Today, it’s an example of security and economic progress. This progress is a direct reflection of 12 months of successful Coalition and Iraqi operations which have placed a clamp on major insurgent activities in and around the predominately Shia city. With the organization of ‘Sons of Iraq’ (Sawha) groups, and the ever increasing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, criminal activity in the once restive city has decreased dramatically. Even with the overall successes in the Balad Qada, the enemy is still actively pursued. Operations...