"We're Americans!!!"

When Kuwait was invaded by theIraqi Army in August, 1990, my platoon was involved in an exercise in the area of the British Army of the Rhine. Our helicopters flew up to the German Army airfield at Celle, and the suppport trucks drove up.

Landing at the airfield, we immediately got out and tied down the helicopter, as per procedure. We noticed that we were on a different airfield, as when we put on our headgear (military for hats), we were asked to remove them on the flight line (not to mention that German helicopters were all over, and everyone spoke German). We were pretty much asked to do this everyday; they eventually started to almost get mad. But they understood... Pavlovian reflexes and all...

As we had a lot of free time when not performing missions, those of us with them brought our bicycles. We did a lot of riding in the city, and had a blast doing it. One day, we decided that we wanted to visit the NAAFI, the British miitary's version of our Post Exchange- the Miiltary Mall.

So, one morning, about 10 of us rode out in search of the British barracks and hopefully find the NAAFI. We rodeall day, just enjoying the sites of this beautiful city. It was a gorgeous early summer day in Northern Germany, and we had a great time.

Eventually we found a British barracks, and we were allowed in after showing our American ID cards. we rode around and checked the area out for a while, then left. On our way out, we asked the guars where we could find the NAAFI, and they gave us directions.

So, after more riding, we came across a high wall that we knew on the other side was a miiltary compound of some sort. so, as it was by now mid afternoon, we sped up to go inside and do some shopping. Now remember, there are 10 white guys, most of us wearing backpacks, and riding bicycles... In the 80s there were multiple incidents of terrorism in Europe... like maybe guys riding bomb-laden backpacks on bikes into a military base was a definite possibility.

We turn into the main gate of this post, and we see 2 British Military Policemen (MPs), one at each side of the gate. the way the entrance to the barracks was, there was a small brick building about 5 meters inside the gate. instead of a window, a firing port faced the entrance. This is what we in the military call a Machine Gun Position.

All of us immediately slammed on n the brakes of our bikes and stopped. The MPs, while alert, did not show the slightest alarm. We announced that we are American, and reached for our ID cards. Once our identities were established, we asked them if they could tell us where the NAAFI is. As these jolly Limeys were talking to us, I cold hear the distinctive CLICK that the safety of a weapon makes when it is either engaged or released. So I then knew that these guys, while seemingly relaxed, were definitely ready for anything. Oh, and the barrel of the nice machine gun in the position was very much levelled at us...

So, with the directions in hand, we politely and very slowly turned around rode away, and in the direction of the NAAFI.

I do not know about the others, but I was pretty rattled the rest of the day. The others says they never heard the safeties being clicked; but as I used my ears for a living; I know my hearing was better than theirs by far. Oh, and I was a lot closer than them to one of the MPs.

Anyway, we eventually find the NAAFI and look around. It was a lostsmaller than we were used to compared to our Post Exchanges (think big 7-11 compared to a Wal-Mart - but the PX is wayyyy better - and tax-free), but we looked around and got some small trinkets, i believe.

Finally, through shopping, we ride the several milesback through the countryside and city to get back to the airfield.

Interesting side note: As the invasion of Kuwait had just started, and the first American troops just deployed there (82d, 101st Airborne Divisions, and the (I think) 1st MARDIV), of course we talked amongst ourselves what might happen if Operation Desert Shield were to get larger in scope. We eventually agreed that our unit (the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the entire VII US Corps) probably would not be deployed; as VII Corps was still involved in some actual missions compared to V Corps, in a different part of Germany that covered the former East Germany. As it turned out, the opposite occurred; VII deployed to Saudi Arabia and V Corps was not...

However, the exercise at Celle was one of most fun exercises I was in during my time in the Army.