By Associated Press
December 24, 2004

CHATTANOOGA - Security at the mess hall used by the 278th Regimental Combat Team in Iraq includes close scrutiny of civilians, the supervisor said following a deadly lunchtime attack at another camp.

"We do ID anyone in civilian clothes who does not have our uniform on," said Chief Warrant Officer Joyce Simpson of Athens.

Simpson supervises the prefabricated structure used at Camp Caldwell by the 278th, a Knoxville-based National Guard unit with more than 4,000 soldiers. Officials have said the 278th, just arrived in Iraq, will patrol a sector east of the town of Baqoubah near the Iranian border.

The Tuesday suicide bomb blast that killed 22 people was in a mess tent at a camp near Mosul.

Officials with the 278th said there were no plans to change eating schedules at Camp Caldwell in response to the attack at Mosul.

Story Copyright to Chattanooga Times Free press