On March 3rd, 2004, I was a passenger on a Boeing 737 that combat landed in Baghdad, Iraq. I don’t mean to make that sound special, it really wasn’t, it happened several times a day for many, many years. Combat landing for those unaware is landing an aircraft in a way to minimize the dangers of landing in a combat zone. In our case, we were landing at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport), formerly known as Saddam International Airport. The airspace above the airport was restricted and protected. Any unauthorized flights would be dealt with, and the area was monitored for anti-aircraft weapons. That landing was, of course, eye-opening and exciting. Seeing the ground out the side window of the plane was not something I expected, but being one of the first flights I’d ever taken, it didn’t really strike me as that odd either. That was only the beginning of new and exciting for me.
As an unarmed civilian landing in a warzone, I was instantly dependent on an external force beyond my control. I had to trust an organization bigger than myself to keep me safe and to supply my basic needs like keeping me warm/cool, clothed, fed, and sheltered. Left to my own devices, I would have starved, succumbed to heat exhaustion, or ended up executed as a war prisoner. That force, in this case, was the United States Military.
One aspect that I’d never really even considered was that of a rocket, RPG, or mortar attack. Every so often you’d hear that distinct whistle coming in your direction. It’d be almost deafening by the time it landed and exploded. Any items within a fair distance of the impact would be destroyed.
All our electricity came from massive generators positioned around the camp. As a safety precaution, they had impact sensitive fuel pumps. If a shock or jolt occurred close by, the generator would shut the fuel off and we”d lose power. If the power went off in my accommodation, I knew the impact was close by.
After a few years over, the Navy was called upon to bring in an air defense system called C-Ram. It’s also known by other names, but the C-Ram system is a radar-guided anti-artillery system designed for ships, but they adapted it to work in the desert by mounting them on trailers. It looks like a large Ruth Berry well pump if you’re familiar with those. And it sits upon a swivel pedestal.
It constantly scans the air for enemy activity. Once an unauthorized incoming device is detected the system automatically determines the trajectory, adjusts for interception and fires a burst of 3000 to 4500 20mm exploding rounds per minute into the path of the rocket, mortar or RPG. Essentially building a wall of fire and shrapnel to detonate the explosives midair, safely away from the intended target.
It is a site to see, day or night, and the sound is unique and unforgettable. The sound is like if you put all your forks into a garbage disposal, turn it on high and then sped it up…a lot.
It’s a strange sound, a sound distinct to war, and one that reminded me of two things every time I heard it.
1. There are forces at work that want to destroy me and everyone like me.
2. There is a force at work that stands in the way of the enemy and keeps me safe.
After getting accustomed to it, I’d often hear that sound as I lay in bed at night. I’d be reminded of where I was, and then I’d remember that someone is looking out for me. I called it my peaceful easy feeling, where I’d roll over, pull the covers up to my ear and drift back off to sleep.
It’s hard to imagine that level of trust, even to me, 10 years removed from that life.
But if you look around with spiritual eyes, you recognize that, even now, there’s a battle raging. Evil wants to control. Evil wants to destroy us and everyone like us. Evil has NOTHING to offer. No control, no leadership positions, no letting you off easy, nothing but destruction.
Like the serpent in the garden offering the knowledge of good and evil. All he was really able to offer was evil. They already had the good. The devil has nothing to offer, only evil.
God has built a hedge about us. God is that anti-evil system that is standing guard. Watching over you day and night.
Stay inside that hedge and let God be your protection. Trust in the Lord, acknowledge Him and lean not to thine own understanding.
There is rest and peace in Jesus Christ, even in the midst of the battle. Find comfort and shelter in that Mighty Name.
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God Bless You Richly,
Greg
The Swimming Axehead 