We flew in low over the northern city of Mosul. Forward Operating Base (FOB) Freedom was just over four miles north of the downtown city center. Our southeastern approach would take us over the ancient gates of Nineveh, the city that Jonah traveled to around 760 BC. The ruins were spread out all over Mosul.
At fifty feet above the ground the Iraqis could see our faces and we could see theirs. But traveling at a speed of 120 knots it did not give you much time to focus on anyone. Nonetheless, it was a peaceful flight in. We landed on the pad, shut down and walked to the dining facility while our helicopters were refueled.
FOB Freedom was set among several palaces. Their ornate beauty and landscaped lawns were in stark contrast to the poverty we flew over to get there. We entered the dining facility (DFAC) and enjoyed the hot meal.
After lunch we walked down to one of the palaces and took pictures of each other standing in front of large paintings of Saddam holding a child and standing with an old woman. I found it ironic that one of the most evil men in the world would be pictured standing with the most innocent.
We returned to the aircraft and began our startup procedures. Right on time our scheduled group of travelers arrived and jumped on board. We took off low and fast and moved beyond Freedom back over Mosul. Within minutes we were over the desert again, for our flight to Baghdad.
Several weeks later a man walked into the DFAC during lunchtime. He detonated the explosives, killing twenty-two and wounding sixty. In a moment, twenty-two human beings who were hungry and ready to eat lunch were no longer alive. Sixty individuals went from relaxing to agonizing from wounds both internal and external.
Life changes quickly, in a heartbeat. Whether by heart attack, automobile accident or improvised explosive device, life can change forever. To take for granted each breath of life is to waste the gift of it. God is good. He does not desire death even for his enemies. But death does come just as surely as life.
Father, help me see each day for the promise it holds. You promise that there is nothing that can separate me from your love Abba.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)