Taji, Iraq

:"Taji redirects here. For the town in Brazil sometimes called Taji see Fazenda Tagy"Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pagename
other_name = Taji
nickname =
settlement_type =
motto =

---

image_size = 300px
image_caption = A view of an explosion near Camp Taji on 2/13/06


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
city_logo =
citylogo_size =


mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption = Taji's location inside Iraq
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Iraq
subdivision_type1 = Governorate
subdivision_name1 = Baghdad Governorate
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of =
population_footnotes=
population_note =
population_total =300,000
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
timezone =
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
latd=33 |latm=31 |lats=46 |latNS=N
longd=44 |longm=16 |longs=39 |longEW=E
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name =
blank_info =
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Taji or Al Taji ( _ar. التاجي) is a rural region approximately 60 miles north of the city of Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate, and the site of a large U.S.-controlled military base.

History

Al-Taji airfield, in the volatile Sunni Triangle, was originally an Iraqi Republican Guard base during the Saddam era. It was once a center for the manufacture of chemical weapons. Taji was also the largest tank maintenance facility in Iraq.

US occupation

The base came under United States control following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

It was initially occupied by the 4th Infantry Division, then the 1st Armored Division. It was turned over to the 1st Cavalry Division in April 2004, at which time the 1st Cavalry Division Support Command, 4th Aviation Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Bravo company 2/162 inf of the Oregon National Guard,3rd Platoon from Cco 1/102nd Inf(L) Connecticut, 1-25th Aviation Battalion from the 25th Infantry Division, and the 39th BCT (Brigade Combat Team) from the Arkansas National Guard lived and worked together with the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment who had fought alongside with the first cavalry,and the 1st Cavalry Division within the camp. The 1/206th fa(Arkansas) of the 39th along with A battery 1/103fa of the RI National guard where the main base defense of the base in 2004 to include gate security, QRF, as well as convoy escort and the inherent Field artillery mission. the 206 along with the 103rd supplied soldiers to train, live with and fight alongside the Iraqi national guard.

The 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control to the 3rd Infantry Division in March 2005, and the camp came again under control of the 4th Infantry Division in 2006. In November 2006, the 4th Infantry Division was relieved, and 1st Cavalry Division was once again in control of the base. 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control back to 4th Infantry Division as of December 2007 and is currently occupied by multiple brigade sized elements from a variety of units.

Camp Taji

Camp Taji is now known as one of many United States camps that also house members of the new Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Guard. It is also being used to train the newly established Iraqi Airforce. Camp Taji is broken up between two Camps that are joined by a joint Iraqi/US gate. The Iraqi side called Camp Tadji is where the Iraqi troops, as well as the Transition Teams live. There is great controversy over the fact that the camp is divided, between "US and them". Much has been written on the subject, but with a simple look at the two camps one can see that there is a great difference in the quality of life on the two sides of the camp. [Gregg Jaffe- [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115041127402681735.html A Camp Divided] - Wall Street Journal]

In December 2004, Camp Taji reportedly boasted the largest PX facilities in Iraq, with Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut franchises. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/al-taji.htm Camp Taji] - Globalsecurity.org] Although the PX facility is large, it remains poorly stocked in comparison to Baghdad and Balad due to supply issues. Of some 106 bases used by the United States in Iraq, Camp Taji is considered one of 14 "enduring" bases. [ [http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases_text.htm If the U.S. is ultimately leaving Iraq, why is the military building 'permanent' bases?] - Friends Committee on National Legislation]

On 15 August 2007, 9 rockets hit Camp Taji, including one at the PX. Two US Soldiers and two non-Iraqi civilians were killed and five US soldiers and five Iraqi civilians were wounded. One US contractor was hit by shrapnel but not injured.

References

ources

*http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/02_05/16.htm "The 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, together with a company of Oregon National Guard Soldiers, and Cco 1/102nd's 3rd Platoon from Connecticut ... The battalion began its Iraq chronicle in Taji, a city just 20 miles north of Baghdad"
*http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/mar2005/a031405la1.html "CAMP TAJI, Iraq, ... with 39th BCT (39TH Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas National Guard)"