24 Hours in Baghdad
While there is no typical day in Baghdad this description conveys what life is like for deployed ADF personnel. These photographs, typifying activities on a daily basis, are those taken by a Defence Public Affairs photographer since Australians first arrived in Baghdad.

Special report by LTCOL Mark Elliott, CMDR Steve Dunning and WO2 Al Green

Sunrise as Australian personnel see it in the Iraqi city of Baghdad. Photos by WO2 Al Green

O500hrs
Presidential Palace North, Australian National Headquarters (ASNHQ): It’s just dawn and the first traces of heat manifest across the dusty haze that shrouds Baghdad on a daily basis. As the light changes from shades of grey to a more discernible colour, the sun rises to the background noise of wildlife and the call to prayers.

The only evident change to local life is that the small bats disappear, as do the mosquitoes, with the dramatic increase in temperature. Their absence is more than compensated by the thrashing of hungry European carp in the evaporating waters of the palace’s man-made lake.

The security picket marvel at the dawn as they guard the bridge to Australia Island, a former guest-house located in the lake and now home for the Aussies.

0600
With Baghdad City within earshot the cacophony of noise has all but subsided and movement starts in earnest around the palace – also known as Camp Victory by our US hosts. The morning arrival of the AME Black Hawks occurs at their pad just 500m across the water from the Australian contingent’s accommodation – another vivid reminder of the hostile environment in which the coalition operates as it endeavours to restore some sense of normality to Iraq and its people.

The tranquility of palace life is often shattered by the noise of exploding ordnance, sporadic gunfire and sundry other military hardware. On the hour, the controlled explosions of unexploded ordnance can be heard, sending a startled surprise or shiver through the new arrivals or uninitiated.

Little wonder our Force Protection is of the highest standard and taken very seriously by one and all. Even the nightly sentries decked out in patrol order, weapon and body armour, serve to remind us of our ongoing need to remain ready and vigilant.

Members from the Force Level Logistic Asset – commonly referred to as the loggies and movers – greet the security picket with a wry smile as they conduct convoy orders and prepare their vehicles to go outside the palace. Their destination today is the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP).

At the same time the Air Force team at the Air Traffic Control detachment is already changing shifts in the control tower and is preparing for the arrival of a vast array of military aircraft.

Convoy “orders” set the tone for each mission outside the relative safety of the palace walls. Every sailor, soldier and airman knows what is required and how to respond in any situation they may encounter. The risks are always there with our US colleagues having already been the victims of attacks by dissidents armed with rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosives or AK-47s.

There is also a more subtle risk to one’s health – the harsh environmental conditions which can quickly lead to heat stroke and even death.

Squadron Leader Glen Johnson, of the Joint Logistic Element Baghdad, gets a hand from a local man during construction of a new Australian logistic facility.

0800
ASNHQ staff are conducting their “hand over briefs” detailing the levels of activity that occurred overnight and logging on for the day ahead. A stark reminder of the threat is the number of contacts reported overnight.

In the early days of establishing the HQ there was no environmental control and computer systems fell over with monotonous regularity. Despite the apparent salubrious environment, facilities and infrastructure was either rundown or non-existent. The palace was essentially a shell, exposed to the vagaries of the elements.

However, in less than three months the Australian HQ now boasts a semi “controlled environment” which takes away the sting of the 40-degrees heat and dust.

Intermittent power and no running water or toilets are still challenges in a building that houses more than 1000 personnel from many coalition countries. Much of the credit for what is currently established goes to the J4 staff and the work ethic of our three “tradies” who have soldiered on in difficult conditions to improve the level of services and facilities. The impact on morale has been dramatic and cannot be understated in such a harsh and restrictive environment.

However, living conditions vary and for some, such as the Security Detachment, or SECDET as they are known, the conditions are somewhat austere. Made up of members of 2 Royal Australian Regiment and 2 Cavalry Regiment, the SECDET accommodation is an unfinished multi-storey building know as “the Flats” which is open to the elements. SECDET provides security and mobility to the members of the Australian Representative Office whose mission it is to represent Australia’s interests in the reconstruction of Iraq.

1200
By noon it is so hot all one can do is drink water and find shade as best as one can. Anything left out in the sun becomes, as colloquially put, a “super model” – too hot to handle. All metal acts as a conduit for the oven-like heat which burns the skin at a touch.

It is easy to understand why the architecture of the region consists of solid earthen or stone walls in an attempt to reduce the internal heat of the unrelenting sun.

The trying conditions bring out the best in our forces, with Aussie ingenuity coming to the fore. Varying methods to reduce the effects of the unrelenting temperature have been trialed; from the wet cloth coolabah to plastic sheeting over the windows and domestic air conditioners. While all provide a modicum of relief none really completely dissipate the furnace-like conditions.

Air traffic controllers Flight Lieutenant Michael DeWitt and Flying Officer Andrew Chapman scan the skies around Baghdad International Airport.

Corporal Grant Gripsky, of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, secures the airfield for a C-130 Hercules that has just arrived at Baghdad International Airport.

Air Defence Guard Leading Aircraftman Scott Ryan about to leave the Baghdad International Airport Control Tower to go on a patrol in a vehicle.

1500
It is mid afternoon and while SECDET move around Baghdad, the air traffic controllers at BIAP are bringing in another C-130 Hercules on its final approach; loaded with Australian stores, equipment and personnel.

The ever-reliable C-130 Hercules workhorses approach BIAP flying under tactical conditions to minimise the threat of man pads and small arms fire.

This can be hot and stomach churning for the uninitiated passengers on board, but the focus here is on survival and minimising the risk of attack.

1600
Once on the ground and relative safety of the airport confines, the loggies attack like angry ants as the aircraft’s loadies quickly disgorge the pallets of cargo.

Ask the sweat-drenched team unloading the pallets why they work with so much vigour, they respond with “it’s bloody hot and the sooner we finish the sooner we get out of the sun” or “it’s our mail”.

For personnel a long way from family and loved ones there’s nothing better to look forward to than letters and “goodies” from home. The C-130s also help out with aeromedical evacuation of wounded and injured coalition soldiers.

1700
The Deployable Field Team Alpha is returning to its home after a day supporting another Australian government agency with imagery and PR support.

Currently based with the SECDET in downtown Baghdad, the imagery team supports a variety of agencies in addition to Defence in disseminating their message through different media.

Carrying all of the camera and recording equipment required in addition to their Personal Protective Equipment means team members, like many other personnel, have lost considerable weight on deployment.

1800
After scorching the dust-covered earth for another day the sun gradually subsides towards the horizon, still retaining its generated heat until the last possible moment.

The ever-present dust turns the sun into a brilliant red orb as it sets and disappears below the horizon. The onset of evening brings little respite as the temperature lingers around the mid-30s.

Meanwhile the loggies and movers are winding up for the day, having successfully moved back to the HQ in armed convoy and unloaded their cargo and supplies. Another job well done.

A C-130 aircrew member cleans a windscreen after landing in Baghdad.

1900
Night routine comes quickly as the HQ’s staff changes over shifts as darkness descends. Throughout the Baghdad area the various Australian elements begin their night routines and shifts.

Far away, as the C-130 returns home, the maintainers who have found the nocturnal life better suits the requirements to service aircraft busily work on the Hercs in preparation for their next mission.

Even as night takes hold, there is a sense that the day’s work is never done. Pickets mount duty and prepare for the nightly routine while others attend to personal administration or prepare orders for the next day.

2000
While night signals the end of the day for most it is also a time of increased threat. Equipped with the latest in technology, the members of SECDET begin their night-time vigilance. The threats are real, though one can easily be seduced into a false sense of security by the oft-tranquil conditions and peacefulness that night usually brings.

For those members taking some well-earned R & R it’s also a time to swap yarns and catch up with the day’s mail and gossip from home. While some settle back to read the latest news from home or digest the week-old newspapers, others open their 2kg packets of goodies.

Foodstuffs, including the odd jar of vegemite and packs of Tim Tams and assortments of half-melted chocolates and lollies, are prized. In true Aussie spirit all and sundry is shared, leaving empty wrappings and crumbs for the late arrivals.

Those that are still hungry usually wander off to digest a Meal Ready to Eat ration-pack, somewhat of a lottery when there are some 24 choices in the menu. “Chow” time with one of the American MREs is also a time to sit down with colleagues and share a communal meal with some sense of normality.

2200
More often than not night also presents a spectacle of sight and sound with the occasional flare and rattle of AK-47s and explosive devices truncating the friendly banter of Australian and sometimes coalition personnel.

Apache and Kiowa Warrior helicopters periodically whip overhead through the night sky, looking to vent their anger on lawless elements of the former regime. It’s almost akin to watching an outdoor action movie – the only thing missing is the comfort of an armchair and ice cream.

Still it’s another experience to store in the memory banks and one to share with family and friends on return to Australia. For others it will be another “warrie” to be shared with their mates at the mess or at the pub on Anzac Day.

0000
Sentries remain vigilant from the SECDET and BIAP through to the HQ.

It is during this time that the majority of members rest, only disturbed by their turn on picket. Members still stir with the occasional explosion or sound of gunfire but this is slowly reducing. In a few more pickets the teams will again rise and prepare to assault the tasks ahead in the relentless heat that signifies life in Baghdad.

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