page_title: Camp Taji
section_title: 2006–2008
hierarchical_section_title: Camp Taji / American presence / 2006–2008
caption_attribution_description: English: The Dedication Ceremony of Potts-Collier Hall, the Mayor Cell Annex Building on Camp Taji, Iraq. SSG Christopher Potts and SGT Russell Collier were Members of the 1-206th FA who were killed in action during OIF II. SGT Collier was awarded the Silver Star, SSG Potts was awarded the Bronze Star with V device.
context_page_description: Camp Taji, also known as Camp Cooke, is a military installation used by coalition forces near Taji, Iraq. The camp is located in a rural region approximately 27 km north of the capital Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate.
context_section_description: 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division was relieved by elements of the 4th Infantry Division in 2006. 1st Battalion, 327 Field Artillery served as the Mayor Cell during this period.
  In November 2006, the 4th Infantry Division was relieved, and 1st Cavalry Division was once again in control of the base. The Mayor Cell was supplied at this time by 786th Quarter Master Battalion from the Virgin Islands National Guard. The Base Defense Operations Center was operated by members of 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.
  From September 2006 to September 2007, the 115th Field Artillery, Tennessee Army National Guard operated from Bldg. 55 providing gun truck security to supply convoys throughout the region.
  Also in 2007, The 756th Transportation Company (Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants), while stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05–07, successfully delivered millions of gallons of class IIIB (bulk petroleum) and transported fuel over 200,000 miles throughout the Multinational Division-Baghdad sector. This was possible because of the skills the 756th developed in theater that allowed the unit to transform organically to react to opposing forces. Included in the delivery of Petroleum the soldiers of the 756th aided in Security of the FOB (Forward Operating Base on tower patrol as well as dining facility security. 
  In December 2007, the 1st Cavalry Division relinquished control and Camp Taji was occupied by multiple brigade sized elements from a variety of units, until they were relieved by the 4th Infantry Division. The 621st Troop Support Command, Arkansas National Guard acted as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell) from October 2007 through March 2008 when it was relieved by 1–206th FA. Force protection duties were performed by a number of units, including elements of the California Army National Guard's 1–143rd FA. July 2007 also saw the arrival of 125 Air Force personal to support the Coalition Air Force Transition Team (CAFTT) that took a number of Iraqi warrant officers and trained them in every aspect of Air Combat Power to include training them how to troubleshoot, isolate and repair Huey gunship engines, fuel systems, and every thing associated with daily operations of a squadron of UH HUEY-1 gunships. During this time frame, elements of the 104th Division (USAR) were stationed at Taji as part of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), providing military training advisors to the Iraqi Army Services and Support Institute (IASSI).
  In March 2008, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery returned to Camp Taji, this time as the Garrison Command Cell (formerly known as the Mayor Cell). At this time the Base Defense Operations Center was operated by 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, a part of the 25th Infantry Division, which was assigned to 4th Infantry Division for the deployment. The 2–11 FA was responsible for securing a security contract to provide over 900 private contractor security guard to provide gate and tower guards for Camp Taji, relieving two Arkansas National Guard companies (1038th HCC and 1123rd TC) of these responsibilities and decreasing the need to mobilize units for these duties in the future. 1–206th FA was relieve by the 949th Brigade Support Battalion, Texas National Guard, in December 2008. 2–11 FA was relieved of the BDOC mission by 1st Battalion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in January 2009. January 2009, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the PA Army National Guard arrived. 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry (Stryker) and its associated elements provided combat patrols and area security in the region. The Indiana Army National Guard was also relieved of duty in 2009.
caption: A new Mayor Cell Annex Building, is dedicated in the memory of SSG Christopher Potts and SGT Russell "Doc" Collier, May 2008.
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