Camp Arifjan is vital to U.S. military operations in the Southwest Asian Theater. The camp is primarily an army post, but air force, navy, coast guard, marine personnel and international troops also call it home. It is a forward-deployment camp: This means that soldiers going to, or returning from Iraq all pass through Camp Arifjan. The camp provides ground support for helicopters and armored vehicles.
Camp Arifjan is situated to the south of Kuwait City within the sovereign State of Kuwait. Kuwait is a Persian Gulf state, located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Housing
Troops live in transitional barracks, which are pre-fabricated concrete buildings. Camp Arifjan is in an area that Congress has deemed a hostile-fire zone. As such, deployed troops are unaccompanied on their tours of duty.
Free cable service is provided in the barracks, and Camp Arifjan Video offers free video rental.
Medical Care
The health clinic and the dental clinic are small: Medical services are therefore limited, but emergency dental or medical care is available off-post. Treatments are provided locally by American- and British-trained dentists and doctors.
Education and Communication
Some undergraduate college courses are available via the Camp Arifjan Education Center. Troops have the option of studying online or on-post. Students have access to a multimedia center and computers.
Troops in the barracks may obtain wireless internet access for a monthly fee of $35. The post library has an internet café. The library is located in Zone 1.
Post Office
Camp Arifjan has an APO office that provides many of the services that can be obtained at a state-side post office. The maximum weight for packages is 70 pounds: The maximum dimensions are 108 inches by 108 inches. Postage is provided free-of-charge.
Dining / Shopping / Recreational Facilities
There are three excellent dining facilities on Camp Arifjan. Furthermore, the food courts provide a taste of home: Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, Charley’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell and Baskin Robbins are all available.
Camp Arifjan has two AAFES post exchanges. Debit cards are accepted, and cash-back is offered. Phone cards are sold in the exchanges, along with the usual basic necessities. Local vendors sell additional goods.
The camp has two community centers, and troops are provided with a games room, free snacks, board games, foosball tables and pool tables. Free movies and music nights are also offered.
Two fitness centers are provided: The 24-hour gym is in Zone 1, and the other gym is in Zone 6. They offer the usual equipments that can be expected in any gym, plus sports courts.
Outdoor amenities include a swimming pool, but female soldiers cannot wear bikinis. Their swimming costumes must be one-piece only. The base has biking trails, and cycles may be rented from the recreation center.
The chapel in Zone 1 serves all major religions at different times, including Islam. Additional services are held in Zone 6.
Climate
Kuwait has a desert climate that is extremely hot and dry. During the summer months, temperatures can reach 124 degrees Fahrenheit. The driest months are June to September.
The troops that pass through Camp Arifjan all serve under harsh conditions far from home, but – given all the amenities available on post – it is little wonder that Camp Arifjan is affectionately known as “Camp Cupcake”.
