Camp Slayer, a former Iraqi
government palace and amusement complex near the Baghdad airport, featuring man-made lakes filled with Carp, was transformed into a logistics and operations base for US intelligence and weapons-hunting teams. The camp has also hosted US eavesdropping and other classified operations. Most of the 1,200 or so
troops that have been based here, plus CIA and FBI officials, covert Special Forces teams, civilian experts and others, camp in two dozen or so garish guest houses that line three artificial lakes.
Upon completion of the renovations, the Iraq Survey Group staff worked in the Perfume Palace. The ornate building has an indoor pool on the ground floor,
military murals on the second floor, and a blue-domed ballroom on top level. The Iraq Survey Group (ISG) was an international, inter-agency organization that operated in Iraq from June 2003 to April 2005. The group's mission focused on the search for and elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Its responsibilities also included the exploitation of documents and media related to terrorism, war crimes, and
POW/MIA issues.
Also, a building at Camp Slayer was assigned a Forensic Analysis Facility, with equipment to analyze exhumation evidence from mass graves.
Additionally located at Camp Slayer, the pair of Iraqi trucks which the
CIA claimed were mobile biowarfare production facilities, and a stockade that has been used to store some captured Iraqi weapons scientists and other top
regime officials.
All the buildings were looted, and most lacked air conditioning or running water. Soldiers have furnished their accommodations with chandeliers, wingback chairs, gilt-edged tables and pieces sculpture scavenged from the complex's five major palaces. One palace has an underground bunker with thick steel doors and gold wallpaper.
From February to March 2004, soldiers from 1st Armored Division's 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment trained soldiers from the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps at Camp Slayer. The corps is a guard unit consisting of Iraqi citizens who volunteer to serve their nation and fight terrorist insurgents within their homeland. The training included both classroom and hands-on instruction. It encompassed 1 st Armored Division battle drills and focused on five key missions: dismounted patrolling, setting up traffic control points, performing route security, securing a forward operating base, and conducting raids and cordon and searches. The Iraqi soldiers also spent two days qualifying on an AK-47 assault rifle.
In July of 2004, officers based at Camp Slayer were working out of lake front buildings that were once holiday guest houses for Baath Party loyalists. Opinion seemed to agree that the best part of the lake front offices were the marble bath rooms, complete with modern toilets and bidets that worked. Throughout Iraq water systems have been the last of the major infrastructure systems to be restored. On BIAP the soldiers were still using porta-johns, although contractors were working diligently to bring in toilets that flush. Looking across the lake from the headquarters are the ruins of one of Saddam Husseins vast palace complexes. One in particular was a recreational facility, with a huge theater, ballroom, conference room and swimming pool. One corner of the palace was completely demolished. It was attacked on the first night of the war by cruise missiles as it was suspected that Saddam Hussein was there. Unfortunately, this intelligence turned out to be wrong.
As of mid-2004, troops staionned at Camp Slayer had access to running water, functional toilets and showers. In addition, troops garrisoned there also had access to the internet.
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