(Photo by Stock Exchange)
BAGHDAD — Units that fall under Multi-National Division–Baghdad will likely be the only troops enjoying a beer in Iraq during this year’s Super Bowl. Other divisions do not plan to allow their servicemembers to partake, officials have said in recent days.
MND–B has received permission to allow servicemembers to enjoy two beers in military dining facilities during the NFL title game, to be played Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla. The Baghdad festivities will be a temporary exception to General Order No. 1, which bans the consumption of alcohol in Iraq, among other things.
But other divisions and commands say they are not following suit.
Joint Base Balad does not plan to allow beer in its DFACs, said Capt. Lindsey A. Hahn, a spokeswoman for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. Multi-National Division–Center, which is responsible for areas in and around Baghdad, is not considering an exception to the order either, said Maj. Daniel Elliott, a division spokesman. The alcohol ban will apply to all MND–C servicemembers — including personnel stationed at bases within MND–B’s geographic area, such as the Victory Base Complex.
"They are to continue doing a great job completing their mission while remaining in compliance with GO #1," Elliott wrote in an e-mail response.
General Order No. 1 has banned U.S. forces from drinking alcohol in Iraq since troops deployed to the Middle East. There has been at least one previous instance in which units could drink in Iraq, military officials said, but it is not known exactly how many times this has been done in the past.
This Super Bowl will be a strictly controlled exception to the long-standing policy, Baghdad division officials have said. Troops will be limited to two drinks, and the beer must be consumed in the dining facility where soldiers can watch the game.
MND–B stressed that it is always on duty and vigilant, and that it never relaxes its posture.
While some soldiers have cheered the decision, others — particularly those in combat units — worried about how the beer would affect readiness.
The policy is fine for support units on the large bases, but combat arms unit can get called out anytime, soldiers have said.
Others say they are looking forward to the feeling of normalcy that would come from having a beer while watching the NFL title game.
