processed over 2,500 local national workers each day. In addition to internal base security, the brigade combat team managed terrain outside the perimeter in order to better provide defense in depth, as well as improve quality of life for Iraqi population centers adjacent to VBC. These responsibilities also included the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) that was located in the center of VBC. The brigade combat team, in partnership with its subordinate units, coordinated nearly ten million dollars in projects that benefited local Iraqi communities. During this same time period, the brigade combat team invested over twenty-one million dollars in base defense improvement to VBC, to include improved towers, barriers, fencing, perimeter lighting, road improvement, water projects, and general force protection initiatives. The brigade combat team was also charged with providing command and control for the Counter-RAM, Joint Intercept Battery, a system used to destroy incoming artillery, rockets and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets. For their efforts, the headquarters, brigade combat team received the Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) from the commander, 4th Infantry Division. The brigade combat team's task organization for the base defense operations cell mission was: Task Force 1st Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment consisted of a Headquarters Company, a Joint Visitor's Bureau Company, a Personal Security Detachment Troop and two Base Defense Companies. The task force was responsible for the force protection and defense of Camp Slayer and the Radwiniya Palace Complex within the Victory Base Camp. The Task Force 1st Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment searched over 10,000 cars and 35,600 Iraqis to ensure no threats penetrated the perimeter. Soldiers assigned to Task Force 1st Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment executed 996 combat patrols in the area of operations surrounding Camp Slayer and captured six high-value targets. Task Force 2d Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment was stationed in Al Asad Airbase, Iraq and was organized as a convoy security battalion. The battalion provided convoy security to theater sustainment convoys using the Jordan Line of Communications from Trebil to Al Asad and Forward Operating Base TQ. The unit conducted seventy six combat logistical patrols, four to six days in length, driving over 1,587,000 miles. Task Force 2d Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment experienced one casualty during Operation Iraqi Freedom when an escort vehicle was accidentally struck while providing security at an intersection by one of the escorted vehicles. Task Force 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment, based at