LEAVING BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Seems like a good, and hugely symbolic move to me.

For the Air Force, that largely means Balad Air Base, about an hour north of Baghdad. Balad, Hake says, is in the process of becoming the service’s key base in Iraq. Some units from Baghdad have already made the move. Fighter aircraft from Tallil Air Base in the south of Iraq flew to their new home at Balad a few months ago. Balad will also become the arrival and departure point for passengers relying on military aircraft.

For many Army units, the move won’t be as far. Camp Victory, just north of the airport, already houses a considerable number of soldiers. Trailers are sprouting up daily at Camp Victory North, an adjacent piece of property that used to be a game reserve. In fact, some say that gazelles can still be seen occasionally from passing Humvees.

In all, the military says about 19,000 soldiers will call the two camps home. Much of that will consist of the 1st Cavalry, which will be headquartered at Victory North. One of the division’s brigades is already moved in. Other elements are on BIAP. Still others haven’t arrived in the country yet.