Sand storms in Taji

Courtesy Photo | Sand and dust fills the air in and around Camp Taji, May 15. Desert dust, smoke from biomass burning, and anthropogenic air pollution are the three main particles that blow through the air at speeds up to 40 knots. The dust and sand makes it difficult for Soldiers to make their way around base. (U.S. Army photo/Capt. Xarhya Wulf)  

TAJI, IRAQ

05.20.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By Capt. Xarhya Wulf
1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – If you live on or around Camp Taji, you've probably noticed the increased frequency of dust storms sweeping through here in the past month. If you're like me you probably wondered why.

I sat down and did a little research and found out the first part of my question fairly quickly. There is a scientific study that was conducted in 2000 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association that shows dust activity shifts with the season. In Iraq, dust activities rise tremendously in the late spring and summer but dramatically decline in the winter.

The three major sources of aerosols in the atmosphere are desert dust, smoke from biomass burning, and anthropogenic air pollution. These three sources make up particles that move through the air via wind. Dust storms contain small particles moving through long distances with a sustained wind speed of up to 35 knots where as sand storms are small and large particles moving through the area closer to the surface with a sustained wind speed of over 40 knots.

The second half of my question took a little more research. There are several ways dust storms affect Soldiers and their mission. Dust and sand blowing through the air at high rates of speed has an obvious effect in that it gets everything dirty and dusty and that is an obvious nuisance. The more important impact is the effect sand storms have on transportation.

For that reason, the Multi-National Division - Baghdad satellite weather office monitors the dust loop satellite along with the enhanced infrared satellite and can therefore predict dust and sand storms up to 48 hours prior to its occurrence. This information is passed down to the various logistical organizations that in turn use the information to determine if and when they can operate.

In the case of the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, a major transporter of cargo for the 1st Sustainment Brigade, in support of MND-B, when sand storms are in the area, they take into consideration the route their trucks are traveling, whether there's adequate visibility along the route, distance to a medical facility in case of emergency, and the priority of the load.

"As long as we can see ... - enough for Soldiers to be able to (spot danger), we're going to push stuff out," said Maj. Paul Sanders, a Detroit native, and the 168th BSB support operations officer. "Even in a dust storm because there are units waiting on (this cargo)."

The biggest effect a sand storm has in my opinion is morally dejecting and daunting on Soldiers who hurry off to the local passenger terminal in route to R&R, only to find out that all aircraft are not operating due to a sand storm.

"It is disheartening to hear that you will be delayed anywhere from a couple hours to a couple of days due to the whims of Mother Nature," said Sgt. Cassandra McKinney, a Swainsboro, Ga., native, and the human resources non-commissioned officer in charge for the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sust. Bde. "I will applaud the passenger terminal personnel though, for continuing to keep the passengers informed and updated to changes. It helped tremendously knowing what to expect, good or bad."

With my curiosity satisfied, I have one piece of advice to add. If you're about to embark on a mission or a journey, ensure you stop by your battalion or brigade intelligence office and get the current and projected weather data, so the next time billowing red dirt fills the sky, it won't be much of a surprise.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2008
• Date Posted: 05.20.2008 12:21
• Story ID: 19615
• Location: TAJI, IQ