Another day, another round of mortars

I really do not know how to write about today. The day started out pretty slow. I was Police 5 and my only major responsibility is to conduct Checkpoints at random locations throughout the IZ. We detained an Iraqi for not being properly escorted. While we were waiting for his supervisor to come, I noticed a young man about my age walking down the road wearing a T-shirt that said SADR CITY. I really didn't think about it until around 1600hrs when the insurgents launched over 10 mortars at densely populated area. The unfortunate part is my patrol was driving in area at the time. One mortar hit about 50 meters behind us. After the first 3 to 4 of them, my first reaction was to try to look for the impact sites and see if their was any injured. When the mortars kept hitting around us, we drove out of the area to wait for the IDF to stop. At that point it was a matter of officer safety. It felt like explosions would never stop. I have to give it to my alphas Collins and Young.

We did a great job after we took a few breaths and calmed ourselves down. After lighting up a cigarette the first thing I thought of was that man wearing that dam T-shirt and how anyone can support a name like that in this country when Sadr causing more death and destruction than the US ever did over here.

With all the mortars only 2 people died and few people were injured. I was surprised with that number. Our unit did great providing care and comfort to the people and getting the information up to the Tactical Operations Center.