By LTC Melanie Meier
As I observed my fourth week at Camp Adder, I had to admit that I was finally feeling settled. I have a private trailer, or CHU (containerized housing unit) as they call it here. I drive a Chevy Trailblazer while inside the Camp's compound, and my office includes two rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator. I have all the comforts of home, except indoor plumbing at the office.
So there I was, sitting at my desk, catching up on my Inspector General database and waiting for a Battalion Commander who wanted to talk to me about one of his soldiers, when suddenly I heard a loud explosion. I stopped, looked north, and there was another explosion. I thought, that sure was strange, because I did not remember any announcements about controlled detonations taking place today. An Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) range was not far away and regular explosions occur when EOD blows up suspicious items as well as the IEDs found quite regularly around here.
Then I heard the siren. And that's when my heart started pounding. What if someone had been hit? What if more rounds were coming? Without really thinking I quickly donned my "Improved Tactical Outer Vest," commonly known as my bullet-proof body armor, my helmet, and I waited.
While listening to my heart beat, I looked around and realized how lucky I was to actually work in a concrete building left over from the Iraqi Airbase that used to be here in Tallil. In 2003, our troops took this facility and, from what I have heard from friends who passed through here six years ago on the way to Baghdad, the base contained only a few buildings and an airplane bone yard. Camp Adder was put into operation in 2005 after much of it was cleaned up. Today just a few airplane shells remain on the airfield as well as some burned out SUVs to remind us that Saddam Hussein's air force once called this home.
As hard as I tried to concentrate on other things, I couldn't help being comforted by this concrete-hardened building, surrounded by T-Walls, which are very tall concrete walls with a wide base so they look like upside down Ts. At least I do not have to run outstide to a bunker because I could stay where I am and wait for the all-clear signal. Something compelled me to call over to Medical Operations and report that I was safe and unhurt. Being the only IG on site and the only staff officer from my unit that is based 350 km north in Balad, I am a literal Army of One so I have to take care of myself.
Finally, the all clear signal sounded and I sighed in relief. I was still unaware of where the Indirect Fire had hit or if anyone had sustained any injuries. Although it was my four week anniversary, the day had been a bad one for Camp Adder. Earlier this morning one of our convoys was hit by an IED and three soldiers had been badly hurt, and now this.
Jun 14, 2009
Today I experienced My First Indirect Fire.
By LTC Melanie Meier
As I observed my fourth week at Camp Adder, I had to admit that I was finally feeling settled. I have a private trailer, or CHU (containerized housing unit) as they call it here. I drive a Chevy Trailblazer while inside the Camp's compound, and my office includes two rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator. I have all the comforts of home, except indoor plumbing at the office.
So there I was, sitting at my desk, catching up on my Inspector General database and waiting for a Battalion Commander who wanted to talk to me about one of his soldiers, when suddenly I heard a loud explosion. I stopped, looked north, and there was another explosion. I thought, that sure was strange, because I did not remember any announcements about controlled detonations taking place today. An Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) range was not far away and regular explosions occur when EOD blows up suspicious items as well as the IEDs found quite regularly around here.
Then I heard the siren. And that's when my heart started pounding. What if someone had been hit? What if more rounds were coming? Without really thinking I quickly donned my "Improved Tactical Outer Vest," commonly known as my bullet-proof body armor, my helmet, and I waited.
While listening to my heart beat, I looked around and realized how lucky I was to actually work in a concrete building left over from the Iraqi Airbase that used to be here in Tallil. In 2003, our troops took this facility and, from what I have heard from friends who passed through here six years ago on the way to Baghdad, the base contained only a few buildings and an airplane bone yard. Camp Adder was put into operation in 2005 after much of it was cleaned up. Today just a few airplane shells remain on the airfield as well as some burned out SUVs to remind us that Saddam Hussein's air force once called this home.
As hard as I tried to concentrate on other things, I couldn't help being comforted by this concrete-hardened building, surrounded by T-Walls, which are very tall concrete walls with a wide base so they look like upside down Ts. At least I do not have to run outstide to a bunker because I could stay where I am and wait for the all-clear signal. Something compelled me to call over to Medical Operations and report that I was safe and unhurt. Being the only IG on site and the only staff officer from my unit that is based 350 km north in Balad, I am a literal Army of One so I have to take care of myself.
Finally, the all clear signal sounded and I sighed in relief. I was still unaware of where the Indirect Fire had hit or if anyone had sustained any injuries. Although it was my four week anniversary, the day had been a bad one for Camp Adder. Earlier this morning one of our convoys was hit by an IED and three soldiers had been badly hurt, and now this. Maybe I don't feel so settled after all.
As I observed my fourth week at Camp Adder, I had to admit that I was finally feeling settled. I have a private trailer, or CHU (containerized housing unit) as they call it here. I drive a Chevy Trailblazer while inside the Camp's compound, and my office includes two rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator. I have all the comforts of home, except indoor plumbing at the office.
So there I was, sitting at my desk, catching up on my Inspector General database and waiting for a Battalion Commander who wanted to talk to me about one of his soldiers, when suddenly I heard a loud explosion. I stopped, looked north, and there was another explosion. I thought, that sure was strange, because I did not remember any announcements about controlled detonations taking place today. An Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) range was not far away and regular explosions occur when EOD blows up suspicious items as well as the IEDs found quite regularly around here.
Then I heard the siren. And that's when my heart started pounding. What if someone had been hit? What if more rounds were coming? Without really thinking I quickly donned my "Improved Tactical Outer Vest," commonly known as my bullet-proof body armor, my helmet, and I waited.
While listening to my heart beat, I looked around and realized how lucky I was to actually work in a concrete building left over from the Iraqi Airbase that used to be here in Tallil. In 2003, our troops took this facility and, from what I have heard from friends who passed through here six years ago on the way to Baghdad, the base contained only a few buildings and an airplane bone yard. Camp Adder was put into operation in 2005 after much of it was cleaned up. Today just a few airplane shells remain on the airfield as well as some burned out SUVs to remind us that Saddam Hussein's air force once called this home.
As hard as I tried to concentrate on other things, I couldn't help being comforted by this concrete-hardened building, surrounded by T-Walls, which are very tall concrete walls with a wide base so they look like upside down Ts. At least I do not have to run outstide to a bunker because I could stay where I am and wait for the all-clear signal. Something compelled me to call over to Medical Operations and report that I was safe and unhurt. Being the only IG on site and the only staff officer from my unit that is based 350 km north in Balad, I am a literal Army of One so I have to take care of myself.
Finally, the all clear signal sounded and I sighed in relief. I was still unaware of where the Indirect Fire had hit or if anyone had sustained any injuries. Although it was my four week anniversary, the day had been a bad one for Camp Adder. Earlier this morning one of our convoys was hit by an IED and three soldiers had been badly hurt, and now this. Maybe I don't feel so settled after all.
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