COME ON IN -- THE WATER'S TERRIFIC, SAY V CORPS TROOPS AT LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA
V Corps Release
Release Date: 9/03/2003
By Sgt. Grant Calease 3rd Corps Support Command Public Affairs Office
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq -- Soldiers in Iraq have been living in oppressive conditions many have never experienced before. Temperatures in recent weeks have regularly exceeded 130 degrees, leaving troops with few options to beat the heat.
Fortunately for the troops stationed here, something as simple as a hole filled with water is helping raise soldiers' morale and as it gives them a break from the scorching Iraqi sun.
After months of waiting, a swimming pool was finally opened to soldiers following a brief ceremony August 18. Brig. Gen. Vincent E. Boles, commander of V Corps's 3rd Corps Support Command, cut the ceremonial ribbon.
"It's a big morale booster," said Staff Sgt. Wendy Ralston, the NCO in charge of the pool. It gets troops out of the heat and gives them something different to do in their free time, she added.
If nothing else, it breaks the troops' routine of being around their units 24/7.
"You get the opportunity to relax and get away from the company," said Spc. Jonathan Yulee, 264th Engineer Company.
The pool sat dry for 10 years before U.S. troops moved into this former Iraqi aviation academy, and it required much work to become functional, said Ralston.
To clean out the pipes, Ralston and fellow soldiers of the 288th Quartermaster Company, a water purification unit, had to fill and drain it five times, she said. The unit's soldiers were then tasked with rebuilding the facility, and eventually tasked to run the pool.
Ralston has seven soldiers helping her at the pool, including two certified lifeguards who keep an eye on the swimmers.
The number of swimmers was relatively low for the first few days because many soldiers didn't know that the pool was finally open, despite the close watch some were keeping on its progress.
"I kept checking to see if it was open," said Sgt. David Thompson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd COSCOM.
"I felt bad because we had soldiers coming and asking us if we were open and we had to send them away, but it felt good to have the general cut the ribbon and to let the people in," said Ralston.
The maximum capacity for the pool is 125 people. If things start getting crowded, a swimming limit of one hour will be imposed so all soldiers get a chance to take a dip.
That limit may come into effect. Every day more soldiers come to the pool to escape the heat. Not surprisingly, soldiers' response to the facility has been enthusiastic.
Yulee said the cool water was great and that he plans on going for a swim every day if he can.
"It's a very nice pool and the water is very refreshing," said Thompson, adding that he definitely plans to come back.
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