CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Soldiers will soon have the opportunity to purchase goods they cannot get at the new Army and Air Force Exchange Services Post Exchange at Contingency Operating Base Basra.
The new bazaar on COB Basra, The Oasis, is scheduled to open Sept. 26, and will give Soldiers the opportunity to purchase traditional Iraqi goods to take home to remember the time they spent in Iraq.
Before the opening of The Oasis, Capt. Andrew Nathan, planning, future operations, civil military operations officer, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, said Soldiers need to understand the bazaar is an all Iraqi initiative.
“The only thing we provided was the water, some fuel for a generator, latrine facilities and the land,” the Hillsboro, N.D., native said. “Millions of Iraqi Dinar has been invested in the Oasis.”
The bazaar will be a model for future business and entrepreneurial development for Iraqis, Nathan said.
“There will be 20 vendors that will be selling a variety of products,” he added. “These products range from DVD movies, electronics, arts and crafts goods, rugs, hookah pipes, some leather goods, pottery and a variety of souvenirs.”
Everything sold at the bazaar can be cleared through customs and taken home, Nathan said.
The bazaar will continue to evolve, Nathan said, and feedback from Soldiers will be imperative for it to continue to grow for the better.
"Soldier feedback will be important,” he said. “If there is a product that is not being sold and the Soldiers want a certain product, all they will have to do is request what they want to see sold at the Oasis.”
In addition to what Soldiers are used to seeing at bazaars, one additional item will be new to Soldiers; handmade rugs by women of Nayssaria.
“These women are widows or very destitute women trying to make a living,” Nathan said. “Also in the future, other products such as pottery, art and hand woven baskets will be sold. These products are going to be made by other poor women around the region.”
Before Soldiers come out to the bazaar Sept. 26, Nathan wants them to understand Dollars, Dinar, and Eagle Cash will be accepted. However, Soldiers should use Dinar to purchase some of the small items, while Eagle Cash should be used for larger purchases.
Nathan hopes all Soldiers will come out and see what the Iraqis have put together for them.
“What they experience and see is the hospitality of the Iraqi people,” Nathan said. “Hospitality is a very significant act in this culture. We are guests in their country and they want us to go away having had a positive experience with them.”
