MOD's female civilians support operations in Iraq
29 Jul 08
Three women are among a crucial band of Ministry of Defence civilians based in Basra, supporting our Forces and putting in long hours in difficult circumstances. Report by Ian Carr.
Jean Johnston pays an Iraqi his salary
[Picture: Allan House]
Jean Johnston
On the wall in Jean Johnston's office is a thank-you letter addressing her as "dear Majesty". Why the adulation? Jean is the claims officer in Basra, responsible for paying compensation to locals who have suffered damage resulting from negligence by the UK military.
Each week Jean holds a claims surgery:
"We get compensation claims from the locals about damage to their vehicles, or to their camels. Sometimes it's for the death of a family member."
Jean hands over the necessary forms for witness and police statements, and collects any photographs of damage:
"When they present all the information I examine it to see if the damage is a result of our negligence. If it's not then I have to tell them sorry."
Jean has built up a close relationship with the Iraqis, and they have learned that she is sympathetic - but no push over. Meeting her in person can be a culture shock:
"Often they're surprised when they first meet me," she says. "They assume I must be a bloke, doing this job."
A lot of them call her 'Mr Jean' - even after they've met her.
As well as making compensation payouts, Jean is responsible for paying Iraqis who qualify for a financial package under project gateway, rewarding those who have worked closely with British forces:
"They get one month's salary for every two months they have worked, up to a 12 month ceiling. They also get another ten
per cent for any eligible dependants."
Today's claimants are lined up in 45-degree heat, and Jean apologises for the wait as they come in.
Admin is carried out at a rough wooden table under a sheet of camouflage scrim - and next to the inevitable duck and cover shelter. Jean passes over money and invites the recipient to check it. Most do. Then they put it back in the brown envelope, shake hands and prepare to leave:
"Put the envelope in your pocket," she tells them.
It's a big windfall, and might be a temptation to others less fortunate.
Anne Wealleans
[Picture: Allan House]
Anne Wealleans
Anne Wealleans deployed to Basra five months ago. Before that she was based at Höhne Garrison in Germany, providing administrative support. In Basra she typically puts in 14-hour days processing claims for service personnel and locals, paying bills, and much more:
"The hours are a lot harder than what you have to do at home. It would be nice to have a bit of down time. And because we share accommodation, you're never really on your own."
Since arriving, Anne has only managed to find enough time off to watch three DVDs. At the moment she and two other civilians handle this side of the work, supporting nearly 5,000 troops and support staff. They also have to bill the Australians, New Zealanders and other nations' forces for items paid on their behalf.
Before her stint in Germany, Anne spent some months working in the Balkans, which she describes as being like a holiday camp by comparison to Iraq. She says that it was partly because of her tour at Höhne that she is here now:
"I worked for 7 Armoured Brigade - the Red Rats - and I was part of the rear party when they did Telic 7, sending them off. So I felt I wanted to join them and help them here."
Anne says the hardest thing to come to terms with was the rockets and mortars being fired into the base:
"In January the indirect fire was horrendous. We were under attack two or three times a day. It's scary, especially if you're caught outside when it happens. No-one can prepare you for that."
It's been a very interesting time, but one Anne wouldn't necessarily want to repeat:
"I'm not sure I'd want to do another trip here, but I'd probably do Afghanistan," she says.
Su King unpacks her kit - and prepares for a night in her bomb-proof bed within Camp Allenby - a home from home (inset)
[Picture: Allan House]
Su King
Waiting in the departure lounge at RAF Brize Norton, Su King said:
"Just as long as I don't come across any spiders,"
She had heard about Iraq's infamous camel spider, and had no desire to get up close and personal.
Su was on her way to Basra and a six-month roving brief that will also take in Qatar and Kuwait:
"I was a programme manager working on nuclear subs," said Su. "I visited Florida in 2005 as part of the pitch to highlight the continuing requirement for Trident. I enjoyed it, but what it really did was to put my job into context. It made me question all the red tape, and why we do things in such a roundabout way. More than anything it made me realise that our priority is to get the kit out to where it's needed."
Making the system work better is her main motivation:
"When I get back to my desk at the end of this tour, I want to have an appreciation of why I do what I do, and feel that I have had a small part to play in what the Armed Forces have achieved."
Su was given just a few weeks' notice of her posting to Iraq: just time to explain to her daughter (in the middle of GCSEs) that she mustn't worry too much about mum's safety.
Su's new job is with Civ Sec - the team that provides administrative support to the military in theatre:
"I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet," she said. "But I know it will involve establishing good governance, some audit work, and logistics. There are a lot of things stored around the patch in containers, and we need to be absolutely sure about what we have, and how we're going to deal with it when the decision comes to start gradually filtering personnel away from Basra."
James Gondelle, head of Civ Sec, is at Basra airport to meet the newcomers:
"Eight rockets came in last night at around 2:00 am," he tells them matter-of-factly, after the usual greetings.
It's an important message, delivered not to shock but to educate. The success of Operation Charge of the Knights has made Basra a safer place than it was, but there are still dangers.
After a first night's sleep on a mattress surrounded by protective concrete blocks, Su has an inkling of what her tour is going to be like.
This article first appeared in the August 2008 edition of Defence Focus, the magazine for everyone in Defence.