PMCI - October 2014

move we moved out to secure the bunker for them,
then we signaled to the lads to bring the clients
forward to the bunker. Once all our clients were in
position and we had moved out to positions around
the area of the bunkers to lock the place down, we
were then faced with dealing with various casualties
coming to our location in different states of shock and
a range of injuries. These people were pushed back to
our medic who was doing a sterling job dealing with
all these people.
At the same time this was happening our second
block (where the rest of our clients and rest of our Protection
team lived) was going through the same drills
and once everyone was in place and all clients had been
checked for injuries and a roll call had been taken, our
PM started cutting about putting his own mind at ease
that everyone was where they were meant to be.
Information starting filtering through to our
position via different means that our perimeter had
been breached by a very large VBIED (Vehicle Born
Improvised Explosive Device) and two insurgents
had made it through the breach. They were running
around that area throwing grenades and causing as
much death and destruction as possible. The QRF had
split into two flanking teams and while the insurgents
were being held in that area by a heavy rate of fire by
other security personnel, they moved around outside the
insurgent’s field of view allowing the lads to engage
from multiple positions.
We had to deal with some requests that I personally
had not thought of i.e. escorting clients to a safe area
so they could relieve themselves in relative privacy.
Also one of the main requests was to find the client’s
phones, which had been lost in the confusion, so they
could inform the necessary people (and loved ones)
as this incident was already on the news and we were
stuck in the middle of it.
One of the lads then pointed out that there were
a few body parts lying around the area and we had to
make sure the clients where not exposed to this, as there
was no need to make it worse for them than it already
was. Whilst all this was happening there was a heavy
fire fight going on where the Camp QRF and spate
Security personnel where being engaged by further
insurgents outside of the camp perimeter. Two of our
lads moved forward to the edge of the closest building
to check the state of the lads defending the wall, as the
wall had been breached over a section roughly 40 meters long,
up to the tower that separated that area from our blocks (which
was very lucky for us). As soon as they looked around the corner
they were greeted with a burst of heavy machine gun fire.
I must reiterate at this point, that the firefight between our blue
forces and the insurgents that had not managed to get through
the breach was still going strong.
Our PM then made the decision to pull all of our clients and
security team back to the rear bunker, situated about 40 meters
further back from the first bunker and, as practiced, we fanned
out to form a secure perimeter for them to move. When we were
all positioned some of the lads started escorted the clients back
and our PM oversaw the movement.
Once every one was counted into the bunker and a new
perimeter was pushed out we could reevaluate our situation
and position. At this point we were informed of some of the
fatalities that had fallen in the initial explosion and immediate
attack thereafter. Some known to us better than others but there
was still a great sorrow felt by all and I am sure their memory
will live on with us.
All the while we were making sure the clients where as
happy as could be and a constant supply of cigarettes and water
was main sought-after thing.
It was now roughly 08:00hrs and the external fire fight had
come to a close. The QRF teams started the sweep of every
single inch of camp and buildings to ensure that all threats had
been terminated within our camp.
We then had two teams of lads detach from the bunker
defense to do our own room to room clearance in our blocks.
Once every single room had been cleared and the QRF had
given the all clear after dealing with the two insurgents inside the
perimeter, everyone was called forward to the area designated
for the US Military QRF call sign for another casualty check.
There was also a Chaplain here who was consoling people who
needed help dealing with everything they had just been through
and witnessed.
Given the threat of a secondary device with so many people
in one area straight after an incident of this size, we pulled back
to our block areas and after making sure everyone was OK we
pooled our resources and everyone donated for a makeshift
breakfast outside. I must say mine consisted mainly of smokes
and coffee and after we had eaten we carried supplies to the lads
who had manned the breach in the wall throughout this incident.
I would like to take this opportunity to hit home the point
that had it not been for the quick reactions of all persons involved
and the training carried out to react to such an incident, the end
result could have been vastly different and much worse.
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