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Tennessee's 130th Support Center heads home from Iraq

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Monday, 03 March 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

Press Release A080303c
March 3, 2008

Tennessee’s 130th Support Center heads home from Iraq

CAMP BUCCA, Iraq – Lt. Col. Robert N. Hibbett and the soldiers of 130th Support Center are preparing to return to Tennessee after transferring their responsibilities to 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery of the Oklahoma National Guard, commanded by Lt. Col. David Jordan.

“Due to Lt. Col. Hibbett’s leadership by example, positive attitude and willingness to help, each of us now has a better life here at Bucca,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Hipwell, commander, 300th Military Police Brigade, who has overall responsibility for operations at Camp Bucca.

The 130th took over support of Camp Bucca, the second largest forward operation base and home to the largest Theater Internment Facility in Iraq, on Aug. 1, 2007. During its time at Bucca, the unit worked to improve the quality of life for Coalition forces at the base. Hibbett’s unit oversaw many improvements to the base, including the establishment of new Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs; new housing facilities; and an expansion to the dining facility at a time when thousands of additional troops were arriving at Camp Bucca.

“The 130th served as the caretakers of Camp Bucca,” said Navy Capt. Bruce A. Derenski, deputy commander for support. “Without them, Bucca literally would not run. They were the base of support for all the other missions by building and operating a city; hotels, restaurants, roads, police and fire departments, post office and more.”

In addition to supporting the Coalition forces at the base, the 130th made contributions to the living conditions of the 20,000 detainees within the Theater Internment Facility located at Camp Bucca. Tennessee soldiers improved the family visitation infrastructure by renovating and expanding the Visitation and Reception Center. The work included building a gazebo, a children’s playground and a soccer field.

Due in part to the 130th’s work, Camp Bucca regularly set new records in the number of family members who visit detainees. The week of Feb. 19 marked a significant 10-fold increase from the same time in 2007.

Hibbett thanked his soldiers by name for their hard work. “We are leaving with the knowledge that the work of the 130th is in good hands.”

“The 130th RAOC set us up for success,” said Lt. Col. Jordan. “These projects will be supporting troops at Camp Bucca for as long as we’re here.”

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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.