When I was asked if I would like to go back to Victory Base Complex to help members of the 326st Area Support Group with their promotion board, I was very pleased with the idea. Last time I went there I was fortunate to learn a lot of information that I brought back to the unit and eventually used to help the members of our unit with their promotion packets and get promoted.

              When I arrived at VBC on  Saturday, Aug. 1, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Aumiller was the person there to assist me. He ensured that I was happy with the living conditions, food, etc. He also found time to take me along with another Soldier on a tour of Camp Slayer, originally presidential grounds and home to the Republican Guard and Iraqi Military Academy.  

The entire length of the tour lasted approximately three hours. When I was first told the tour would last that long I was surprised. I did not know what to expect. I did not think I would want to walk around looking at buildings in the heat (it was at least 105 degrees) for three hours. However, by the time the tour was over, I felt the time given was definitely well planned and spread appropriately between each stop. The three hours only seemed to feel like 30 minutes.  

My tour guide was 1st Lt. Stephanie Ramos, Camp Slayer MWR Officer. There were at least 150 other people gathered for the weekly Sunday tour. According to her, this number is about average for each tour. 

                The first stop on the tour was the Victory Over Iran Palace and the Victory Over America Palace. From the information I was told during the tour, the Victory over America Palace was going to connect to the Victory over Iran Palace, but it was never completed.

  Getting to see these buildings up close and personal was an eye opening experience. As we started up the front side of the Victory Over Iran Palace and the Victory Over America Palace, I could hear children singing an Arabic song. I’m not sure of the words but it was nice to hear and see. After their songs, we were told that these children were from the local boys and girls club. It was amazing to see the 20-30 children singing with so much cheer in their young angelic voices.

Inside the Ba’ath Party Convention Center today, damage can be seen across the top of the building with debris and rubble spread across the ledges years after the building was first hit with F-15-E fighter jets and a Tomahawk missile. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Emily Anderson)

                The next stop on our tour was of the final pictures of Saddam Hussein. His full length picture was painted on one of the buildings. On the wall of a building across from this building are silhouettes. The tour guide told us these silhouettes were for target practice. Although, weapons were pointed to these targets no bullets were ever shot because behind this building was something like a childcare center and they did not want to harm any children.

                The final stop on the tour was of the Ba’ath Party Convention Center. According to the pamphlet I was given at the beginning of the tour, the Convention Center was used as a meeting place for the political and military leadership of Iraq. The building was hit in March of 2003, by F-15-E fighter jets and a Tomahawk missile.

U.S. Army Soldier stands inside of a window frame inside of the Ba’ath Party Convention Center. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Emily Anderson)

Seeing inside of the building was breath taking, at least it was for me. Debris and rubble was all over the place. Chandeliers were barely hanging from the ceilings. The glass from the window panes were all over the ground. A film of dust formed over the top of everything. This place was just so interesting to see.

                Overall, my tour was amazing. I’m was and still so glad I was given the opportunity to see some of these places that many will never get to see except through pictures. I have no doubt this will definitely be place I will never forget.