New Recreation Facility Opened in Basra

News Article

The facility, which will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, offers Soldiers the opportunity to come and hang out with friends while enjoying some luxuries Soldiers do not usually have access to here, said SSG Julie Lewandowski, MWR noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

The facility is currently equipped with televisions with Armed Forces Network connections, movies, video and board games, books, a foosball table and a massage chair. According to the Minnesota Army National Guard Soldier and Minneapolis, MN resident, more is expected to arrive, such as a pool table.

Good stuff. Atleast there is some recreation out there for our troops. The building opened on Oct. 4 this year, but I wonder how long it will be there. With the US supposedly pulling out of Iraq, I wonder why they took so long to build a place like this.

I didn't see in the article where exactly in Basra this is. Is this at the Basra Airport? Or at Sadaam's old palace facility? The only other "Basra" base I am familiar with was the Brittish base at the port of Basra...Anyone know where this actually is?

Its located at the Red Bull Life Sustainment Area on Contingency Operating Base. I dont really know exactly where that is other than in or near Basra. Im thinking its a new military base built recently.