Camp Bucca opens improved visitation and reception center
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Thursday, 07 February 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
Press Release A080207b
February 7, 2008
Camp Bucca opens improved visitation and reception center
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq – A new visitation and reception center opened Jan. 28 to better serve the families of detainees at Camp Bucca, the Coalition force theater internment facility located in southern Iraq.
“This is proof of our commitment to go above and beyond every day in providing for the care, custody and comfort of our detainees and their families,” said Army Col. James B. Brown, outgoing commander of Task Force Bucca.
The increasing number of visitors in 2007 made it apparent that the original visitation center needed improvement and expansion. The situation was complicated when a fire destroyed the center in May. Tents were quickly set up, but the need for larger permanent structures remained.
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, Iraqi and American civilians, and detainees all contributed to the construction and furnishing of the new facility. Today the center is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication, with new heating and cooling units, flooring, and furniture.
Many detainees arrived at Camp Bucca with no vocational skills and were eager to learn a marketable trade. They were afforded the opportunity to acquire new skills as they painted the interior walls, drew murals, and laid tiling for the floor.
“You don’t see this kind of work back home,” said Army Lt. Col. Martin Basham, outgoing deputy commander of Camp Bucca. “This is old-style craftsmanship.”
Improvements to the visitation center also provided entertainment for children. Children can watch cartoons in the waiting room or play soccer on an improved field. The playground includes a swing set, slide and a merry-go-round.
Even before the facility was complete, weekly visitation records were being set. During the first two weeks of 2008, however, visitation increased from an average of 1,200 per day to a new high of more than 1,900. Future improvements are intended to support more than 65,000 visitations annually.
At the dedication of the new facility, Army Brig. Gen. Robert Hipwell, commanding general of Task Force Bucca, stressed that the welfare and comfort of the families are of utmost importance to Camp Bucca.
“We all know that first impressions are important, and we want the families’ first impression to be a warm and comfortable one,” said Hipwell. “This is Camp Bucca’s way of helping build a peaceful and prosperous Iraq.”
“A line from the Iraqi national anthem also applies to the families of Camp Bucca’s detainees,” he said, “‘Safe and comfortable, sound and honored.’”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MNF-I PRESS DESK AT: MNFIPRESSDESK@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS VISIT WWW.MNF-IRAQ.COM.
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