"It seemed odd to have such a dignitary show up in Ramadi, not something we expected, nor something you think of, a person like that visiting our Paladin section," said Michael Johns, a member of the battery currently charged with providing artillery fire to the region surrounding Camp Ramadi.

Visiting dignitaries to the volatile area have been scarce, though troops have welcomed a few lesser-known entertainers, including Tae-Bo creator Billy Blanks and a group of ex-Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders known as the Purrfect Angelz.

Blanks' spotlight has dimmed since the mid 1990s, when informercials for his aerobic workout videos were a staple of late-night television, but his workout session in Ramadi drew hundreds of participants, some of whom said they hadn't ever heard of the exercise guru but were happy to accept the visit all the same. Blanks has since used video clips from his Iraq tour to promote his new "Boot Camp" video series.

Oliver North, a Fox News commentator and central figure in the Iran-Contra affair, also visited the 222nd in Ramadi recently, much to the excitement of the southern Utah battalion's predominantly conservative ranks. In an e-mail sent to friends and family back home, the unit's commander, Rich Miller, described North as "a hero of mine, and some of my guys."

Younger soldiers not as familiar with North's storied past said the former Marine officer impressed them simply by showing up. North stayed 10 days to cover Iraq's national election for Fox.

A-list celebs - among recent guests, David Letterman and Robin Williams - have made routine visits to Iraq, but most often are restricted to larger bases in safer regions. Aviles - now back to his duties as Naval undersecretary following Tuesday's swearing of Donald Winter - is one of few political leaders to have visited the base in Ramadi, which has often been the target of insurgent mortar and rocket attacks.

Navy officials said the trip had been planned well before Aviles had assumed temporary leadership over the Department of the Navy, following Gordon England's Dec. 26 resignation. They said he went to visit Naval personnel, including members of the Marine Corps. The Corps' 2-28th Brigade Combat Team is responsible for combat operations in the Ramadi area.

Glenn Begay, an ammunition sergeant in the artillery battery, said Aviles appeared insightful and inquisitive. "I was impressed with his knowledge," Begay said. "The questions he asked were excellent, it was neat to have such a dignitary on our gun line."

The 222nd has been in Ramadi since last summer and is expected to serve one year of duty in Iraq.

mlaplante@sltrib.com