A Veteran's Affair

Chapter 6 - Storming the Airfield

AN: In chapter 4, I believe I wrote that I was going to write about the first 2 weeks of operation Iraqi Freedom. I've changed my mind because nothing really happens. So, I'll write about the first couple of invasions. This will be 2nd out of 3 parts until I continue the normal arch. I will write about the fall of Bagdad later. Thank you for your continued support!

Present Day

"Wait, so you're telling me war is this one big really screwed up road trip with your friends while fighting the occasional battle?" Erika asked.

"Yeah, that does sound correct. Most of the time, my company was just driving along the desert. We didn't fight a lot of battles."

"What do you do in your free time?" Koume asked.

"Sing songs, crack jokes, sleep and socialize with the company."

"How competent were high command and their orders?" Maho asked.

"Pardon my language but they were absolutely dog shit." Jethro proudly stated.

The three girls started laughing but Jethro held his head in his hands, think about the ludicrous orders that the collation was given.

"I still can't believe the soldiers were given woodland camouflage instead of desert camouflage," Erika said while laughing.

"We were fighting in a fucking desert country!"

Operation Iraqi Freedom

March 21st. Three days into the invasion

Cpt. Jethro "Cowboy" House

3rd Armoured Com., (Callsign: Anvil) 1st Armoured Bn., 64th Armoured Regiment

After a full day of non-stop driving, Anvil company halted during the night. Today, they had destroyed four T-54 tanks and drove ever so deeper into Iraq. The majority of the crew members were stationed inside of the tank and some slept underneath the tank. In House's tank, Lucas and James were sharing some coffee meanwhile Stepan was reading a book. Jethro himself was busy listening to the network.

"Cpt. House!" Raphael radioed.

"What's up?"

"Go get some shut-eye. I'll cover for you. You got a busy day tomorrow." Raphael responded.

"Merci. Solid copy, over."

Jethro then slowly reclined back into his seat. He then rubbed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.

"Everyone, twenty-five per cent watch, time to get some shut-eye. We Oscar Mike at 02:00 Zulu. How copy, over." Raphael ordered in his French accent.

"Solid copy, over."

Lucas and Stepan then reclined into their chair while James took the first four-hour shift. James grabbed his M4 Carbine and placed it on the loader's seat. (Sorry, I forgot the loader had a seat in the previous chapter.) He then extended the seat upwards and stood on top of it to man the loader's turret machine gun. He also activated the night vision so he would see better. The sky was dark except the explosions and fires from the cities that lit up the night.

James looked around for signs of activity, but he could see nothing. A few minutes passed and he looked around again and saw multiple trucks, about five hundred metres away. He reached for the binocular on his chest and looked through it to get a better view. Suddenly gunfire erupted from the trucks, waking the entire company up. The bullets whistled passed but some hit the armour of the tanks which made a high pitched, ping noise. The crews scrambled awake and James ducked back into the turret. He sealed the hatch and waited for orders.