As we entered Iraqi airspace someone shouted: "Body armour and helmet on now."

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/features/daily-features/article3047735.ece

My terrifying helicopter trip to the baking heat of a war zone

In the second day of a special report from inside Iraq, Deborah McAleese shares her experiences as she joins the Ulster soldiers currently based in one of the most dangerous countries in the world

Thursday, October 11, 2007

As we entered Iraqi airspace someone shouted: "Body armour and helmet on now." The urgency in his voice panicked me and I fumbled to secure my protective clothing.

Suddenly the lights went out and I grasped the unsuspecting hand of a London nurse called Natasha who was travelling to Basra where she had volunteered to help out at the airport army base hospital.

The transporter plunged unexpectedly towards the ground, intermittently rocking from side to side and I let out an involuntary scream, which thankfully was disguised by the drone of the engines.

It wasn't until we were safely on the ground that one of my fellow passengers - a very tough looking army sergeant who was clearly amused by the confusion and fear on my face - informed me that the terrifying landing was normal practice as insurgents have been trying to shoot down military aircraft.

After being grilled by security inside the airport I finally arrive at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Basra, where over 200 members of the Irish Guards - many from Northern Ireland - are based and am led through a maze of tents housing 5,000 military personnel, surrounded by sand bags and bomb shelters, to my sleeping quarters - a mattress at the bottom of a bunker.

The COB has been attacked by indirect fire mortars or rockets more than 300 times in the past three months and I am warned to keep my body armour and helmet with me at all times. I sleep with it by my side.

[unhappycamper]

1. Sorry, but I have to do this.

[Lars39]

2. No apologies needed...that pic's a classic.

:D