The Decon 2 Story
Saddam - our part in his downfall

"We'll never go, it's too late, the war's nearly started." - Famous last words.

The call came during the middle of a bandmasters' class rehearsal. It was Tuesday and we were to leave on Sunday, giving us three working days to assemble the whole troop, make a flying stop to Plymouth for weapons, inoculations and the first of many next of kin forms. Leaving two precious days to buy military equipment most Bandies haven't possessed since basic training, and time to try and fit ninety litres of equipment into an eighty-litre Bergen. Time also for Band Colour Sergeant Ian Davis to phone from Kuwait telling us not to forget our bivy poles. Oh really!

Monday 3rd March saw the six-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton to Kuwait City. On arrival, we began the procedure of booking into theatre. As musicians, we were used to doing this via a stage door, not a tent flap. Being such a rush, it wasn't obvious if the powers-that-be even knew about the thirteen bandies arriving. So, after sitting in the rain for a while we hopped onto the nearest bus, arriving at Camp Coyote two hours later. We then sat around for another three hours, in a raging sand storm. After dispatching several bike couriers into the storm, the truck finally arrived to take us to Camp Gibraltar, our home for the foreseeable future.
The next few days saw us trying to adjust to the role we had been brought over for - a second Decontamination team in the event of a chemical or biological attack. Decon 1 had a two month head start; and unlike us had undergone intensive training. We had a lot to learn in a short space of time. The main problem was equipment - there wasn't any. Decon 1 had been procuring kit for over a month and there was precious little of that, but with a little begging we were able to kit ourselves up. We all worked hard to gain as much knowledge as possible before the time came to repack our bergans, pick up the ammo and rations and move to Camp Viking.

Decon 2 relaxing during a gas alert at Camp Gibraltar

Camp Viking, a vast area of desert running parallel to the Iraqi border, was the holding area for the whole of the allied ground forces. We arrived mid afternoon 11th March, marked out our harbour position and started digging. Luckily, the sand wasn't too compacted so digging was comparatively easy. Our knowledge of trench building was limited, and made for some interesting shapes and sizes of trench, though as we were only meant to be staying there a few days, the all important factor was that they offered good protection as we were well within scud and artillery range.

The first night we established the night sentry routine. The desert was a different place at night; in the distance, we could see the twinkling lights of Um Qassar just over the border, and ships sailing in the Arabian Gulf. The second night, just after evening stand-to, one of the fiercest storms recorded in Kuwait history hit. Within minutes, the sky had turned cauldron black. A hole in the ground with just a flysheet over the top is not the best place to be in this situation. The only thing to do to avoid being buried was to keep moving. Tents were collapsing, and there was nothing to be done, just ride it out. One trench nearly had a Land Rover parked in the middle of it, as the driver lost his way during the storm. Morning saw the stereotypical calm after the storm, we all emerged from our holes bemused and amused, surveyed the damage, and started re-digging the trenches that were almost filled to the top.

First into Camp Viking from the Brigade; Decon 1 and 2

The big difference at Camp Viking was the lack of basic commodities. For those that had been to the desert before this came as no surprise, for the rest of us it was a real eye opener. We switched to 24hour ration packs for the following eight weeks, with six bottles of water a day. The latrine was also a novel experience. As we were only meant to stay at Viking for a week, the Pioneer Corps had only dug one latrine trench, but due to the political situation, we were in position for 10 days longer. Come evening, all the nice little Dung Beetles would return what had been deposited throughout the day, to the amusement of those that had not been visited.
We were all excited and nervous about the start of the war and entering the unknown but the sooner it would start the sooner we could get home. Due to their greater experience Decon 1 remained the designated decontamination team, whilst Decon 2 joined up with CFSG 2 (Commando Forces Surgical Group No 2) as ambulance crew /casualty handlers. Our job was to help transfer casualties from the helicopters and ambulances, into the triage area. We tagged and bagged equipment, and POWs were searched and guarded at all times. This routine was regularly interrupted with scud and gas alerts. There is no experience that can prepare you for the first time you are fired upon. Blind fear is the only way to describe it, and a huge sense of relief when the all clear is sounded. It soon became a part of the daily routine though; most of the alerts came too late anyway. The closest they got was 1 KM, so no need to worry, small target, big desert! It's an experience we'll never forget, watching scuds fly overhead. Good job we had our tin helmets.

Over six days we saw around twenty casualties, a few allied, but mostly Iraqis. Some in quite a state and all very frightened, but the professional attitude of the medical team soon put them at ease. Some of the troop had to make flying visits into Iraq to pick up casualties, returning with stories of what was going on over there. On 26th March we were all to find out for ourselves, as the order to move was given. In pitch darkness, we packed our bergans again and jumped in the back of the ambulances for the journey into Um Qassar.

We arrived just as dawn was breaking; our main role to secure the area in which the hospital was located. The first objective was to familiarise ourselves with the location, and start wandering patrols. At long last, we found ourselves out of the sand, in an abandoned reception centre. It wasn't the most hygienic place, but at least we had a roof over our heads. Being an old customs centre, there were objects all around that made life quite comfortable. Many of the troop managed to acquire beds, complete with mattresses and blankets. We even found an old television, but as the only station was 'Comical Ali's', it was of no use.
As well as the wandering patrols, we were still required to supply casualty/prisoner handlers; this was because we were primarily receiving Iraqi prisoners and civilians. For many of us this was the most rewarding time during our time in Iraq, as it made a real impact on the local people. The locals were living in terrible conditions and seemed genuinely grateful for our help, and relieved that Saddam Hussein's regime was approaching an end.

The 94mm anti tank weapon at Bridge 5

On the 6th of April, we were crash moved to guard a bridge on a supply route south of Basra. Our main task was Force Protection for the Landing Force Support Group, which meant keeping all Iraqis away from our position. There were a few hairy moments but we are proud to say we never fired a shot in anger, just three schmoolies! The Bootnecks gave us a 94 anti tank weapon (at £23,000 a go) in case any enemy armour came near us. Having explained that we were parade ground warriors their solution was to load and cock the weapon, so all we had to do was point and shoot. Fortunately, we never shot! We handed the position over to the Army several days later and returned to Al Zubaiyah Port, the HQ position of 3 Commando Brigade.

After fighting in the British area of operations ceased, the next four weeks became a battle against boredom, frustration, heat, insects and military indecision. After the joys of 24-hour Sanger duties, we were tasked to work for the QMs department with one Major Todd RM (of Deal PW fame) in command. This eventually led to our running the regimental shop, selling Coke, nutty, noodles and Pringles to the great unwashed. Bugler Dave Nevatte was also attached to the QM's department, though he was facing the Iraqi public with the difficult task of handing out humanitarian aid.

On the 7th of May, after several false starts we eventually made it to Kuwait City Airport. Once the RAF decided which aerodrome we would land at, we eventually landed at Exeter, via Cyprus, on the 8th of May. It was then left to say our last goodbyes, and make our way back to our respective bands.
We would to thank the Lympstone and Dartmouth Bands for their welfare parcels. We would also like to thank the RFA Argus band also, for what they sent out to us. Congratulations also to BdCSgt Eddie Neighbour for his work on board HMS Ark Royal, spending more time in theatre than any other member of the Band Service deployed.

Finally, the individuals who made up Decontamination Troop are to be congratulated on dealing with exceptional circumstances and getting through it all with humour, patience, no alcohol and a high fibre diet. As Tiny Tim says, God Bless us everyone!

Downtown Umm Qasr as seen through the camera of Paul Bateman

Band Colour Sergeant Paul Bateman stops a coach full of Iraqis on the first day at Bridge 5
Band Corporal Colin Friend took this photo from Bridge 5's tower

Band Corporal Colin Friend on the Tower at Bridge 5

A Warrior APC on its way to Basra through Decon 2's location at Bridge 5

After delays to the flight, Musn Q Brown was not a happy bunny!

Before departing Iraq our resident cartoonist Paul Bateman
left his mark in Az Zubayr Naval Base!