Amundsen said he has found working among local officials and the refugees, especially the children, rewarding. That's something your normal soldier doesn't see all the time on the base camp. Some local officials would like more contact with American troops and are frustrated by the stringent force protection measures restricting U.S. troops to base, U.S. military officials said. Amundsen works out of Comanche Base, temporary home to about 1,000 U.S. aviation support troops as well as their Apache, Black Hawk and Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the 501st Attack Battalion Squadron and 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. More than 35 guards and 17 guard towers protect the aviation support activities at Comanche Base.
Troops live six to eight in a tent.
There's a cappucino bar, food court, chapel, exercise facility, movie tent and exchange store at the compound's center. Troops added heat and light, and rehung doors at old aircraft bunkers now used for maintenance. An Army official reports crews sustain a 96 percent vehicle readiness rate. Army Staff Sgt. Steve Varner, 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry, said Comanche Base facilities are better than he expected.