Baquba Air Base Baquba Air Base is a former Iraqi Air Force base in the Diyala Governorate of Iraq . It was captured by Coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 . Overview . Baquba AB was a base formerly occupied by Saddam Hussein ' s 41st Armored Brigade of the Republican Guard Al Nida Division . When the regime fell , the troops of the 41st left the compound and blended into the local population . Anything that could be looted , was - including missiles , artillery , hand grenades and guns . The Iraqis destroyed anything that they could not take with them . By late June 2003 elements of the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse were operating from the base . Living conditions for American troops at Camp Boom were basic . There was no air conditioning , no plumbing , and no privacy . Sand the consistency of moon dust damaged equipment . The dilapidated barracks offered no relief from the searing heat US forces kicked off a massive sweep 29 June 2003 with more than 20 lightning raids in towns across a wide swath of Iraq , netting at least 60 suspects in a show of air and infantry power designed to crush resistance and stem a wave of deadly attacks on US troops . The operation , dubbed " Sidewinder , " began across an area of central Iraq stretching from the Iranian border to the areas north of Baghdad , and was expected to last for several days . There were no initial reports of U . S . casualties , nor , however , was there any indication that the operation had netted any of Iraq ' s most wanted fugitives . By October 2003 soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division were stationed in hangars at the base . The Big Red One officially assumed command from the 4th Infantry Division during a transfer of authority ceremony 16 March 2004 . In Baqubah , a TOA ceremony was held between the 2nd Brigade , 4th ID and the 3rd Brigade , 1st ID . The 2nd Brigade Combat Team , nicknamed the Warhorse Brigade , achieved many significant accomplishments during its deployment . From establishing an interim government to administering the Diyala Province and helping rebuild the provincial legal system , the Warhorse Brigade spearheaded the coalition mission in the area . Camp Warhorse served as headquarters to the 3rd Brigade , 1st Infantry Division during its rotation . From March 2005 the support platoon from C Company of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion was performing such important missions as installing protective barriers , creating vehicle and personnel checkpoints , building guard towers and constructing dirt berms or dikes . Initially the support platoon , under the direction of Sgt . 1st Class Lee Friese , began their work at FOB Warhorse by leveling areas , building roads and installing force protection structures there . But once the word spread about the excellent work the North Dakota Engineers were capable of doing , they were asked to take their equipment and skills to other areas around Baqubah . This has included building a sterile yard for the inspection of outgoing shipping containers , improving force protection at a bridge on a major Army supply route known as the Blue Babe Bridge , building an earthen berm at FOB Gabe for the protection of the Iraqi National Guard training center , and emplacing other force protection structures at the Kahlis city center for the Iraqi Police , Iraqi National Guard and the mayor ' s office .