However, farmers had dammed up wadi’s (drainage ditches) to irrigate fields but had caused flooding of the road too. Additionally, craters had been created in the road caused by an IED, triggered by a US Thor vehicle which had killed one US soldier. This had left large pools of stagnant water one metre deep in places.
Not sure if IEDs were lurking beneath the water, 28 Engineering Support Group and RAF Firefighters cobbled a plan to use a reinforced digger to use as a platform for a fireman to stand in whilst they gingerly placed their hoses into the pool to suck away excess water. This was treacherous work, given that a wrongly placed hose might detonate a pressure plate.
It was also unpleasant work given firefighters Corporal Mike Broadley and Corporal Jim McInally were working all day in 35 degree heat in full body armour breathing in generator fumes in the bucket.
At one point Mike came under fire whilst in the bucket, luckily with rounds hitting the digger windscreen and not him.
“It was a bit hairy”, said Mike, “given that the bucket was not armoured”.
However, the firemen resolutely carried on, draining 100,000 litres of water in total. This then allowed the Counter IED team to check the muddied road and they found 2 IEDs lurking in the sludge.
It was a real team effort between the Royal Welch Fire Support Team who provided outstanding Force Protection....
The engineers who tested and adjusted the digger in line with the generator, hose and fireman. They kept the dodgy generator going (even stripping it to back to basics at one point)....
The brave C-IED team who searched in squelching, difficult conditions....
And of course the firemen who could have sucked up an IED at any time. However, it was the 4 firemen who after 7 days working with the Army were left with the most lasting impression.
Two of the team were held in reserve, Senior Aircraftsmen Lee Stevens and Mark Consterdine; but used for sentry duties to guard the patrol base and compounds.
“Working so closely with the Army has been great. These boys are the ones that risk their lives day in, day out and live out in basic conditions. It has been a real eye-opener.
“1 Royal Welch shook our hands to thank us, but we felt very humbled, especially given what these fellas do”, said Jim, “I’m just really pleased we played our part”.
