IRAQ. Baghdad. April 23, 2005. FOB Camp Independence, former city airport. Patrol near train station. The 3RD ID, 4th Brigade, HHC Headquaters Company, 64th Armored Regiment (Mortar, Scout, Sniper Platoon) under CPT Ballanco -were the spearhead into Baghdad during the April 2003 US invasion of Iraq, taking the Presidential Palace several days before the city fell on April 9, 2003.
Later they controlled Haifa Street area, until leaving Iraq in August 2003.
Back in Iraq since February 2005, they now again control the Haifa street area, which until their arrival was considered no-go for the US Army and one of the most dangerous areas of Iraq, the area where most US soldiers were injured, almost entirely controlled by anti-US insurgents.
After the arrest of prominent insurgent figures by the 4-64th, relative calm has returned to the area.
The US soldiers mainly train the newly formed IA (Iraqi Army), on a range and near the unfinished Mother of All Mosques, MAM, a grandios, never finished project by Saddam Hussein.
They patrol the area with the ING, (Iraqi National Guard).
FOB Independence is considered one of the least luxurious bases in Iraq.
Due to the "frontline" position, no female soldiers are allowed on base.