Chris' Deployment Journal

Soon after though, we got a call that the Iraqi Police (IP) had found an IED near the middle of this road, just past a small bridge over a gully. We responded, and help set up a perimeter well away from the device, in order to keep the locals away. The IED was made up of a rocket and a South African 155mm artillery shell, which apparently has twice the explosive in it as a U.S. 155 round. Unfortunately the IP fired on the IED in order to try to detonate it, which actually launched the rocket. It apparently took flight and landed not far from our patrol base. Remember kids, the next time you come across an IED, DO NOT SHOOT AT IT.