Sgt. 1st Class Frank Lauer, Forward Operating Base Orgun-E mayor, in front of the FOB's two camels in Afghanistan. They are used to haul equipment, along with a couple of donkeys. (Michael Abrams / S&S)

Sgt. 1st Class Frank Lauer, Forward Operating Base Orgun-E mayor, in front of the FOB's two camels in Afghanistan. They are used to haul equipment, along with a couple of donkeys. (Michael Abrams / S&S)

The barracks at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Afghanistan, are getting new wood-and-metal roofs to stop rain from leaking in, a welcome change for the members of the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment. (Michael Abrams / S&S)

The Hard “Rocket” Cafe is the name of the dining facility on Forward Operating Base Orgun-E. (Michael Abrams / S&S)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan — The 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment called a lot of places home during its year in Iraq.

While its sister unit in the 173rd Airborne Brigade — the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment — held Kirkuk, the Red Devils traveled from small town to small town. Outposts were built up, then abandoned.

A month into their stay in Afghanistan, soldiers from the Vicenza, Italy-based 1-508th appear to have a place to hang their Kevlar hats. At least for short periods of time.

Lt. Col. Tim McGuire, the battalion commander, and his headquarters staff have set up shop at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, a small but growing military compound just outside the area’s largest city of Sharan.

Sgt. 1st Class Frank Lauer, the compound’s mayor, said it’s nice to have a place to call home, unlike in Iraq.

“I can count on two hands the times I was told, ‘You’re never moving again,’ ” he says with a smile.

It’s not like the battalion is exactly standing still these days. Company B and Company C have elements on FOB Orgun-E. Soldiers rotate in between the main base and smaller compounds to the north and south for weeks at a time. Company A is all stationed on-base.

Capt. Joe Geraci, the Company A commander, said his soldiers probably spend more time on patrol than on base, though. He said a single patrol can take up to 10 days. Soldiers have a few days in between to take advantage of the relative comfort of the FOB.

Soldiers sleep in brick buildings, with thin cement roofs. The buildings leak when it rains, so they’re being retrofitted with wood-and- metal roofs. There’s an average of eight soldiers to a room, most sleeping on beds, while others use cots. There’s electricity in all the rooms, but none outside because of the potential for rocket and mortar attacks at night.

Showers — usually with plenty of hot water — are located in a few buildings scattered around the base.

The post exchange is about as basic as it gets. Lauer said there’s usually about $30,000 in merchandise, and after a visit to the larger bases, there will be more in stock. A laundry facility and a barber shop are run by local nationals.

Lauer said the command is looking at a number of other projects to improve the quality of life of soldiers on base, though “I don’t know if we’ll ever cease being a FOB.”

Most soldiers seem to think they’re living better in Afghanistan than they did in Iraq.

“Everything’s all built up for us here,” said Pvt. Justin Roll.

“It’s way better,” said Spc. Daniel Beckett. “Not as good as we expected, but way better.”

“Hot water and electricity,” said Spc. Eric Meinhardt. “Can’t beat it.”