BBC visits heavily targeted US-UK base in Iraq #Iraq #War #BBCNews
BBC journalists visited a heavily targeted US-UK military base in Iraq, where up to 28 drones and missiles were fired at it daily before a ceasefire. The base uses an air defense system called Rapid Sentry, which shot down over 100 drones in just over a month. Tensions remain high as Iranian-backed Iraqi militia continue to fire drones nearby.
Summary
BBC journalists were granted rare access to a US-UK military base in Iraq — one of the most heavily targeted in the Middle East prior to a ceasefire. At its peak, the base faced up to 28 drones and missiles fired at it per day, creating an extremely dangerous environment for personnel stationed there.
The base relies on an air defense system called Rapid Sentry, positioned on a hill, which has been instrumental in protecting lives. In just over a month, the system shot down more than 100 drones. RAF gunners operating the system have less than a minute to detect, track, and destroy incoming threats, requiring rapid and repeated engagement cycles.
One RAF gunner described the intense operational tempo, recounting a night where 14 drones were engaged in a single evening, requiring constant movement — loading missiles, firing, and repeating the cycle. The gunner acknowledged having several close shaves, though declined to go into specific details, noting that both British and American personnel had experienced close encounters.
Despite the ceasefire making the BBC visit possible, tensions remain elevated. Iranian-backed Iraqi militia were still firing drones in the vicinity during the journalists' visit, with crew members observing what appeared to be low-level ground explosions nearby. The future of the ceasefire and the security situation at the base remains uncertain.
Key Insights
- A soldier describes the psychological and physical reality of being under attack — lying face down while sirens sound and weapons detonate nearby — calling it 'bloody difficult.'
- The Rapid Sentry air defense system on the base shot down more than 100 drones in just over a month, highlighting the extraordinary scale of the drone threat faced by personnel.
- RAF gunners operating Rapid Sentry have less than a minute to detect, track, and destroy incoming drones, requiring an extremely fast and repeated engagement cycle.
- An RAF gunner recounts engaging 14 drones in a single night, describing a relentless cycle of loading missiles and firing, and noting that the tempo of attacks remained high even during daytime hours.
- Iranian-backed Iraqi militia were still actively firing drones near the base during the BBC visit itself, with crew observing what appeared to be low-level ground explosions, underscoring that the ceasefire has not fully ended hostilities.
Topics
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