About Besmaya Range

Now that you know a little about how I got here, let's talk a little about what "here" is. Besmaya is a training range. The base itself is about 85 square miles total, roughly in a square. We train soldiers here. We have 15 ranges where a variety of weapons can be used, everything from a 9MM pistol to a tank main gun to helicopter missiles. The ranges and facilities have been built over the past three years by US Army units and a civilian contractor, MPRI. The range is now controlled by the Iraqi army. The Commander is Col Abbas, whom you've already met. He has about 350 soldiers working for him. They are the guard force for the base, run the logistics operations and run some of the courses here. MPRI has done a great job. Everyone who visits is very impressed with the quality and quantity of training opportunities here.



This is the LSA, or Life Support Area, our base camp. It's about 500 meters by 1000 meters. This was taken from a helo as we approached. The view is looking northeast.
















A little closer view. See the area along the left edge that appears to have a wall around it. That's the inner perimeter where myself, my soldiers and the US contractors live.

Power comes from our generators, all water is trucked in. No running water in our quarters, but we do have decent showers. Until about 3 months ago all toilets were plastic portajohns. Trust me when I say that 120 degree temps (or the 40's we're having now) will cut into your reading time!!








This is a view from the very northern edge of the base looking due east. It's a flat barren place.
















Except for the.........








marsh!! No kidding! We have a marsh on our eastern boundary. It's a really amazing place. It's so completely different from the rest of the base. In the summer, when this photo was taken, it recedes. Starting in October, it starts growing again. It's got fish and thousands upon thousands of all variety of birds. This picture was taken through the windscreen of a Russian Hip helicopter being flown by an Iraqi General. Really.















This is the marsh in late September. I couldn't get back to this place now without a boat.

We like the marsh, not only because it's a really beautiful place, but it's also a great natural barrier. Unless the bad guys are preparing an amphibious raid, we're pretty safe from the east.

So that's where I am. One of the great side benefits is the night sky. There's no ambient light here and we keep the LSA as dark as possible, so the stars are spectacular.

Next up: "What" am I doing and why.