The Decon I Story
Across the Al Faw
by BdCpl DJ Smith

Crossing the border into Iraq

We were now a few days into the conflict and it had been decided that we would be of more use moving forward into Iraq. We set off in 4 ton lorries, with all our equipment, along the Main Supply Route towards the Iraqi border and we were soon crossing the demilitarised zone and then the border itself. Once in Iraq we were immediately besieged by children begging for food and water, which was a sobering experience.
After a short while we arrived in the captured Iraqi Naval Base and began to make ourselves at home. It wasn't long before we received our first detail. We were to be the armed escort for a troop of ambulances who were to meet a sub-section of Medical Squadron, a mini hospital or Combat Forward Surgical Group (CFSG) further up the Al Faw Peninsula. With only the lead driver (Musician Tim Hinde) using night vision goggles and Sgt Goose Dodman map reading we set off. The first part of the journey was over rough ground with each vehicle following the dim glow from the preceding vehicle's convoy light. After an hour or so we reached our first checkpoint, river-crossing Anna, and the convoy was ferried across the river, two or three vehicles at a time, before we resumed our journey.
The next part of the journey was over slightly better ground. We now had to push on at a more urgent pace. We had a time limit to reach our objective as 40 Commando were about to launch an attack. We arrived just as dawn was breaking and the attack commenced. As we pulled up we were given the message that the ambulances were needed near the front line. We turned the vehicles around and raced at full speed to our new grid reference. We soon began to pick up casualties, from the Regimental Aid Post, and ferry them back to the CFSG for further treatment, dodging the burnt cars and debris as we went. All the time we had artillery and mortar fire flying above us.
These runs continued over the next few days, with us also taking partial responsibility for the security of the CFSG, by manning Vehicle Check Points on the surrounding roads. It was during this time that we received a tip-off from a grateful father whose child had received treatment from the medics. He believed that we would be the focus of a suicide bomber that evening! This proved to be a very tense time for everyone, but thankfully it proved to be a quiet night.
Over the next few days we continued our duties, and gradually moved closer to the city of Basra, first stopping in a captured chemical factory and then an abandoned Polytechnic. It was not long before the news that Basra had fallen came through, with the resulting order for another move. We were to go into the newly taken city and take up residence, if only temporarily, in one of Saddam Hussein's palaces.

CSgt Taff Davies and Staff Sgt Andy Staff grab some rest at CFSG1	During the move Taff provided cover from the rear of the vehicle on the GPMG
An American manned checkpoint enroute during a sand storm
CSgt Taff Davies and Lt 'The Boy' McKeating	The abandoned Polytechnic and chance for some rest