10 December 2003 The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (SBCT) completed its move from Kuwait to Forward Operating Base Pacesetter. The base is located about six miles northeast of this city of about 50,000 people and 60 miles north of Baghdad. It doesn't take much rain to turn the base camp into a muddy bog. But just a little of water is enough to put 10 times that much mud on every soldier's boots.

   Infantrymen from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, took to the roads and villages north of Baghdad, patrolling to keep the peace from Forward Operating Base Pacesetter. Soldiers of Battle Company, 5th Battalion - 20 Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) conduct route reconnaissance, presence patrol, civilian assessment and combat operations contributing to the stability of Samarra, Iraq. The 3rd Brigade is under the operational control of the 4th Infantry Division.

   FOB McKenzie is the new name for what was formerly known as FOB Pacesetter. With the transfer of authority came a new name for the base. Under 3-29 FA's leadership, the Forward Operating Base had been Pacesetter, the battalion's symbol and call sign. Under 1-4 CAV's command it is MacKenzie Base, named for Ronald S. MacKenzie, a cavalry colonel in the Frontier Campaigns. COL MacKenzie, at 29 the commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, was charged with keeping the peace on the frontier, and preventing attacks and violence by outlaws and renegade Indians. He did so with well-planned reconnaissance and daring attacks. The re-naming of the Base reflects the parallels between Operation Iraqi Freedom and COL MacKenzie's mission to bring peace and justice to a new nation by putting a stop to the violence of insurgents and terrorists.

September 2004 there was one shower for every 24 people. One of the bunkers was transformed into a Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility, with a movie theater, performance stage, library, and Internet and phone room, among other amenities.

   Mckenzie has faced periods of almost nightly rocket and mortar attacks. The base has seen 21 rockets incoming at McKenzie in a single night.

Courtesy of GlobalSecurity.org