One Fine Summer Day With the disguise in place, we were ready to proceed. We had security support as I have indelible memories of Iraq, which well as an Explosives Ordnance Disposal felt surreal then, doubly so now. I served (EOD) Team. I sat in the driver’s seat and three tours with the United States Army. looked over at Alex, wondering how we This event occurred sometime during would communicate. Even in the best of Summer in 2003, north of Baghdad in what situations, it is hard to talk over the running was known as Forward Operating Base Taji. engine of the Humvee to your passenger. I As part of my team, I drove a cargo version asked him a question but our linguist could of the High Mobility Multi Wheel Vehicle, not hear from the back of the Humvee. We commonly referred to as Humvee. Before ended up sticking her in front, hunched over many of the insurgent activity began, I the engine block! Luckily she was a petite drove our vehicle in regular convoys. My woman and a grand sport! Humvee did not have armor but was covered The Convoy Commander instructed us to in a weatherized tarp-like material. I could take the lead. Outside of the FOB gates, sleep comfortably on top of the cab in a sort there was a thriving market, with vehicles of hammock. The cargo area had benches making way for our Convoy. Lamb hung along the sides for seating. Once Improvised from butcher shops and in certain places you Explosive Devices (IEDs) became more could smell kebabs being grilled. Past the common practice against our Forces, I would market, we continued down the road. An not be able to drive in security convoys. irrigation canal ran alongside this road, reeds Most everyone referred to me as “Bowie” screening the fields beyond. All along the since Bowekaty was long. sides of the road were farms of varying sizes Our team was approached by a sheikh that and crops, one estate lined with rows and lived next to a major road that was patrolled rows of date palms. by our Forces. Sheikh Alex was a large Alex was to let us know when we were man, kind and earnest in his approach that getting within 100 meters from the IEDs. I roadside bombs had been planted on his felt Janet’s elbow in my shoulder and slowed area of responsibility. He did not want to be to a stop. I looked down the road and blamed for any attacks on our Soldiers. He pointed to a culvert I saw, approximately was not familiar with maps but was willing 100 meters away, and asked if that was the to show us the location of these IEDs. We location. I hear female Arabic followed by had an Arabic linguist, Janet, that relayed male Arabic followed by this information from him. Janet was not “BOWIE!” shrieks Janet, “HE SAYS THE enlisted but worked as a Department of BOMBS ARE RIGHT THERE!” Defense Civilian. Alex did have one further I hear the radio click and the Convoy request, to wear a uniform as disguise to Commander asking if I can see the location protect his family. Alex received some of the IEDs. I look to my right where Alex unfortunate Joe’s less-than-fresh duds, but at and Janet are pointing. I see multiple dirt least it fit horribly! mounds with bits of metal and wires coming By Carleton R. Bowekaty
10
January 2021
