CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – The familiar refrain of, “There’s nothing to do around here after work!” is an endangered species here at Contingency Operating Base Basra.
The local United Service Organization office and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator for 34th Red Bull Infantry Division are teaming up to create an oasis in the middle of the Basra desert for service members and civilians to escape the pressure of operations here from time to time.
Sarah McConnell, USO director for COB Basra, said they have already instituted a “soft opening,” meaning there are some services already available at the facility, which is housed in the former Dining Facility 1.
“We have 13 internet stations set up already, along with 18 phone lines for people to call home,” said McConnell. “Both services are free of charge to anyone who uses them.”
These services are available on weekdays from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and weekends from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. The internet stations have a usage time limit of 45 minutes and the phones are available for 30 minutes at a time.
“We wanted to get something started for the troops here right away,” McConnell said. “We’re not fully functional yet, but we got the computers and phones set up so we could at least offer some services.”
The USO services to be offered here have been designed on the same template as the facility housed at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, according to Col. Ronald Albrecht, deputy chief of staff for 34th Inf. Div.
The USO will be sharing space in the facility with MWR, according to Albrecht.
Sgt. 1st Class Deborah Allen, MWR and event coordinator for 34th Inf. Div., said the fitness center is under construction now and has a target opening date of July 1.
In addition to the cardiovascular machines already in place, the fitness center will feature nautilus equipment, free weights and ample spaces for aerobic training and various self-defense classes, including Modern Army Combatives, she added.
“We will be putting padding on the floors and walls in one of the large rooms for combatives training,” said Allen. “We will still have a large amount of space on the other side of the room for additional fitness machines.”
Albrecht said the fitness center will be an important part of 34th Inf. Div.’s emphasis on physical fitness.
“We wanted to create a clean environment for Soldiers to work out,” Albrecht said. “We’ll have all new machines in place for them to train.”
Though the USO and MWR areas will be separated by a wall, extensive cooperation between the two has already marked a positive beginning for the cohabitants.
“Cooperation with (the USO) has been splendid!” said Allen. “I really look forward to working with them in this building.”
McConnell added that she is very appreciative of the help she has received from the military in making the USO presence a possibility here.
“I am very grateful to the military leadership here for the generous space allotted to the USO,” she said. “Thanks to them, their Soldiers will have a place to escape when they are able.”
Soldiers also have an opportunity to volunteer at the USO, according to McConnell.
“The USO thrives on volunteers,” she said. “They are the backbone of everything we do.”
Soldiers who are interested in volunteering may sign up at the center. The USO has a recognition program to reward Soldiers who give their time to assist in the operation of the center, McConnell added.
McConnell said the USO is completely understanding of the operational requirements Soldiers have. Those who volunteer should not feel bad if their missions take away from their time at the center.
“I will be grateful to anyone who volunteers and whatever time they can give me,” she said.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering may contact McConnell via email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
