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A year ago today, we received a briefing on an imminent missile attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this thread I will walk you through my thoughts and feelings of that day.
At approximately 1800 I was in the BDOC working on DLC courses so I could get promoted when my PSG came up to me to tell me what was happening. It was hectic in there and I knew something had to be going on.
The days leading up to 7JAN were tense. We knew something was going to happen but we didn’t know what or when.
Around 1930ish we got word they we would evacuate. We quickly began packing assault packs, and prepping the trucks to push out to a PB.
During the process of prepping everything and everyone we quickly realized that we didn’t have enough armored vehicles to fit everyone. I volunteered to stay back and pushed my team into a vehicle to get them off base.
2100ish- my PSG had found himself, our plt medic and me a ride out of the base, a Dodge Ram 1500. We quickly loaded our stuff into the truck and lined up in the convoy.
Unsure of how long we’d be in the PB or if we would die, I ran back to my CHU, dumped my back of wet weather gear, and an MRE and stuffed it full of snacks, Dr Pepper and cigarettes.
Finally around 2300 the convoy departed and pushed out to the PB. The atmosphere was tense. We had left a QRF element and those in tower guard positions on base in case something else happened.
At the PB we quickly set in security and mortars to prepare in the event of a counter attack. With us we had the K9 team as well as a handful of marines.
0000 rolls around. We had been in place for about 30 minutes and continued to think of the soldiers we had left on base to defend.
0030 the radio goes off. “INCOMING INCOMING INCOMING”. We swiftly look up- a bright orange dot flying through the sky, almost looking like a shooting star, coming screaming down onto the base. BOOM.
The first missile had hit the base. I was with my PSG and we were both pissed beyond believe. Swearing and punching the truck. We were upset because we had left our friends on base.
For the next few hours we grew more and more upset as each missile slammed into the base.
0400ish- the Marines with us received word of a possible ground attack at the PB. We pulled everyone from the vehicles and set in security once again.
0430- nothing happens regarding the ground attack.
Suddenly our PL shouts- “2 minutes BIG MISSILE”
Suddenly our PL shouts- “2 minutes BIG MISSILE”
We quickly pile as many people into the armored trucks as possible. Myself, PSG and the medic were still with the Dodge Ram. We’re hoping the truck provides some sort of cover when the missile impacts.
Realizing that we were screwed, I stepped out of the truck and lit up a cigarette and the medic joins me.
Nothing happens. The final missile, if there ever was one, didn’t impact.
0600- we pack up at the PB and head back to Al Asad. Over the next few days we saw the damage the missiles had done.
I am extremely grateful that nobody was injured or killed. To this day I can still see those missiles coming down just as vividly as when I was there. Something I’ll never forget.
