The initial bombings occurred in Sadr City, followed by one in Ur, just up the road. After our expulsion from Sadr City, wth the closing of coalition urban bases, we moved to Ur -- Ur the modern wreckage, once the site of used-car lots -- not the ancient ruin of history and legend. In Ur, we were across the street from a factory and flanked on the other side by a squatter camp. While we were the target of occasional mortar and rocket potshots, indirect fire is notoriously inaccurate, especially when performed hurriedly with homemade or aging equipment. Consequently, our neighbors suffered from attacks meant for us. When flying with visitors to Ur, I pointed out the large rocket-produced hole in the factory roof. Our Ur also was notorious for the large septic pool. We dubbed it Lake Ur, and joked about building waterfront property. We could tell when when we neared our base by air, even in the dark. With open helicopters doors, we could smell it.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:05:51 +0000
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