Scousesubs

The RN in Iraq

I never imagined in my 23 years in the RN that I would ever do an operational tour in anything but a ship or submarine. But for many before me and for many in the future, the thought of adapting to military life outside our naval comfort zone is now a reality. For many, assignment orders to Iraq and Afghanistan are now commonplace. Currently, the RN is serving in land based desert roles all over Iraq including Basrah, Um Qasr and Baghdad in addition to Afghanistan. The main role in Basrah involves supporting the 7th Armoured Brigade engaged in OP TELIC, assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in the city and improving conditions for the local communities and population.
The journey starts at HMS Nelson, OPTAG. Two weeks with experienced Naval staff and Royal Marines. Their purpose? To prepare and equip us all for any eventuality that may occur during our operational tour. Here we get briefing after briefing. Specific theatre knowledge and awareness is drummed home, interspersed with basic Arabic language lessons. This is where reality kicks in. The mere thought of trying to converse with the locals in their native tongue seemed very daunting. In reality, the Iraqi people seem very happy to attempt their English speaking skills.
The kit issue can only be described as emotional! Piles of kit are dumped at your feet by the 'jack dusty's', most of which we've never seen before but before long we are well versed in its use. Then to top it all off, personal weapons. A full day on the range with the Marines ensures we are not only safe in the use of personal weapons but also a pretty good shot! The culmination of these 2 weeks presents us with 3 days at Longmoor Camp in Hampshire. Here, the Royal Marines show us why they are 'the best'. The knowledge they share with us is not only comforting but also second to none. Contact drills, mine clearance, medical training, tactical awareness exercises, are just a fraction of the information I so keenly absorbed. I remember thinking, 'this is what it's all about'.
The OPTAG staff present us with constant reminders of the 'threat' that we will face on a daily basis whilst on tour. Real video footage and photographs of past incidents in Iraq and Afghanistan is a subtle reminder of the dangers we may have to contend with. I'm not afraid to admit that I started to get a little apprehensive. I remember many occasions I spoke to my 'oppos', trying desperately to understand why we volunteered. Most conversations ended with fits of nervous laughter and personal thoughts such as 'stay strong' and 'keep smiling'!
The day I left my home for Basrah, at the end of May, seemed like any other that we've all experienced when deploying. Tears, sadness, apprehension, but also an eagerness to get there and get the job done. The thought of 6 months in Iraq for a WE submariner, like myself, was daunting but also very exciting. It is also something I may never have the chance to experience again. I fully intend to make the most of it.
Arrival in theatre and the heat is overwhelming, reaching well into the high forties and low fifties. Together with the dust it takes a while to acclimatise. Life here is as comfortable as you could expect, with a few little extra perks thrown in. Seeing the light of day is a pleasure as is the countless modes of communication with family and friends, something a submariner normally sacrifices when deployed. The food is as good as I've ever had on any deployment; the accommodation is comfortable, considering we sleep in what is effectively a bomb shelter. We call it 'Stonehenge'; a purpose built sleeping space surrounded by concrete blocks, steel plates and sandbags, designed specifically for protection of incoming ordnance! What strikes me most is the seemingly high morale of everyone I meet here. We all have our own jobs to do, ranging from the technical to the admin, the medical to the logistics. The professional manner in the way everyone conducts their business here makes me proud to be part of it. Even when things 'heat up' during occasional rocket attacks on the COB (Contingency Operating Base), everyone stands up, brushes themselves down and gets on with it, seemingly undaunted by what has just happened.
There are a few things to look forward to whilst deployed. The best way to get by is to focus on each day, the time goes quicker. Most personnel are entitled to 2 weeks 'R n R', something of which I eagerly await. With the major surge in internet technology, communication with family and friends is first class. I cast my mind back to many previous submarine patrols and remember having to go for weeks and sometimes months without any word from home. A few of us more adventurous types look for opportunities to leave the COB and enter the city or other areas to sample another aspect of life here. Joining up with the Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), gives us the opportunity to see firsthand, the British Army in their mentoring role of the Iraqi Soldiers of 14th Iraqi Infantry Division. I myself had the opportunity to experience this. It was very pleasing to see the Iraqi Army, full of confidence and high morale and putting their new skills and expertise into action.
The past few months of training, and the early part of my time in Iraq has led me to realise one thing, the Royal Navy is once again proving its worth and sharing its expertise at the forefront of yet another major operation in which we find ourselves and I for one, I'm sure I speak for the countless other Naval personnel here, am very proud to be doing my bit for a better Iraq.

CPO WEM(O) Ian Millar
HQ MND(SE)