A new Tombstone has emerged and it shares many traits with the legendary Arizona town. They are both in the desert and feature men walking around with guns. While a lot of the guns carried around in old Tombstone are just for show, the weapons featured in the new Tombstone are anything but.

The soldiers at the Tombstone Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan are at war.
At first glance, Camp Tombstone, as it is referred to by its inhabitants, doesn't appear all that different from any other military base in Afghanistan, except for the name. Most other American bases are named after fallen soldiers or the first units deployed to the area – not after famed Wild West towns.

Camp Tombstone came into existence in 2003 when the war in Afghanistan began. It was given its name because of the desert scenery and the frequent gunfights between American forces and insurgents.

"What separates [Tombstone] from other bases or camps is its size and nostalgia of the Wild West," said Air Force Tech Sgt. Efren Lopez.

Upon arriving at the base soldiers are greeted by the image of a man that may be unfamiliar to soldiers who haven't ventured through Cochise County - Wyatt Earp.

The homage to Tombstone doesn't end there. The walls of the dining hall are covered with western style posters including reward notices for legendary criminals like Sundance Kid and Butch Cassidy. The dining hall is also the only facility that consistently serves Mexican food.

While Tombstone's O.K. Corral has seen many diverse means of transportation in its time — from horses to mules — nothing can compare to what the base's version of the O.K. Corral holds.

Camp Tombstone's iteration of the O.K. Corral stands tall, with a sign for the Corral looming over the parking lot for the military's armored vehicles.

When looking for good conversation or just a spot to smoke, the soldiers head to a gazebo that has been named the Crystal Palace Saloon. The Tombstone theme even carries over to the sleeping quarters – or, as they're known over there, Big Nose Kate's.

The process of giving the base a real Tombstone feel began last year, but the idea of decorating the base with a Tombstone theme came from U.S. Marines who occupied the base during the beginning of the war.

The décor has definitely made an impression on the soldiers currently there.

"It's really cool what they have done here," said Sgt. Major Robert Haemmerle.

"I won't say that it makes things any easier for us, but it definitely helps lighten things up a bit."

Lightened spirits are in short supply and in heavy demand on the base. While many may think that the war in Afghanistan is finished, it clearly isn't. The base is in the heart of danger. Just miles down the road is the town of Lashkar Gah, home to a group of active insurgents according to a soldier stationed at the base.

While gunshots heard in the city of Tombstone represent good fun, they can represent life and death at Camp Tombstone.

"We always have to be ready to go," Haemmerle said. "There is no real down time because always, in the back of your mind, you are thinking that you have to be ready for anything."

Camp Tombstone is a NATO base so it is home to many different military factions. The Air Force, Army and Marines are all represented, as well as forces from Britain and Denmark. The Tombstone theme is exclusive to the American side of the camp.

The base has left a lasting effect on many soldiers like Lopez.

"The time that I did spend there was interesting and enjoyable; it was one of my favorite locations in Afghanistan because it reminds me of home," he said.
Lopez is an Arizona native who teaches photography at Phoenix College. He is a member of the Air Force Reserves and a few months ago his unit was called to duty. His time in Afghanistan has been spent as a combat cameraman.

He documents action for the military and provides news outlets with photos. During his tour of duty he has spent time at many bases, but Camp Tombstone was a favorite of his.

"The name Tombstone and the desert surroundings has a romantic and wild flavor," he said.

Lopez has now photographed both the city of Tombstone and base, and he hopes to show his photography of the camp in Tombstone when he returns from duty at the end of April.

Word of the camp and its Tombstone décor has recently made its way back to the original town.

"We know of its existence and are very aware of the theme," said Susan Schubert of the Veterans Outpost, "but unfortunately to this point a real connection between the two hasn't happened."

Despite the lack of a relationship between the two, the people of Tombstone are proud of having their town's name and style replicated especially by the military.

"It's really way cool to hear about some of the stuff they have done over there," Schubert said. "This is definitely something that the town appreciates and respects."