CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq -- Desolated, covered by red powdery dust, cool in the winter and an inferno in the summer, Camp Korean Village is not exactly a vacation hotspot. While politicians, top military commanders, USO performers and others usually visit the major bases here, few people of importance venture out to this remote corner of Iraq’s far western desert.
To the pleasure and surprise of many here, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, visited a group of Marines and Sailors at the camp for a couple of hours Dec. 6. The 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps and other high-ranking officials are currently visiting troops in small bases throughout western Iraq vital in the strategy to contain foreign fighters entering this part of the country.
“I was surprised at first that the Commandant would come out this far west in Iraq,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph D. Miciotto, 28, of Gibsonville, N.C., and team chief with 6th Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 2. “He gave us a pretty good motivational speech letting the Marines out here know that their contribution is important to our success here.”
Hagee took time to speak, answer questions and pose for photographs with large groups of Marines after being briefed by local Marine commanders. The Commandant answered questions on individual multiple deployments to Iraq, combat operational tempo for the Global War on Terror and the recent movement of forces in the Pacific among other questions before praising the service members for their hard work.
“We are driving [continued multiple deployments by individual Marines] down, the Iraqi security forces are in fact standing up,” said Hagee emphasizing the continued progress here. “Thank you for what your doing out here and be sure to take care of one another.”
The top Marine within the Corps’ command received much attention as Marines crowded around him for photographs.
“I was glad to see the commandant coming out to many of the smaller posts. Especially a little one that this,” said Lance Cpl. Michael D. O’Neill, 22, of Culpepper, Va., and a combat engineer attached to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. “It’s good to be told by someone with such a high rank that we’re doing good things out here.”