IDF

'So, what's it like to get rocketed?' I ask JB on the way back to our accommodation.
'Sorry I can't organise an attack just for you to experience it,' she retorts wryly.

We've been through this before. Unsurprisingly, the COB comes under rocket fire every now and again: the work of Al Qaeda, or the Iranians, or a bunch of bored and disgruntled youths, depending on who you talk to. Earlier in the day, I'd been shown where a rocket had previously landed. It left a messy hole in the the corrugated iron roofing of the car park behind the office: not hard to imagine what that might do to soft flesh.

Alone in my room, I fish out the instruction leaflet that the Skylink management have left by my bedside:

"Actions to be taken in the event of indirect fire (IDF):

Immediate action:
If you hear a blast followed by an audible warning siren 'Incoming, incoming, incoming,' fall to the ground immediately and minimise profile, cover your face with hands and lay still. DO NOT move across open ground or stand near windows or glass doors.

Post-attack drills:
After the attack siren has ceased, and you deem it safe to do so, make your way to the nearest designated hard cover – concrete shelter surrounded by sandbags. Ensure if possible you collect your helmet and body armour. Once at hard cover, make yourself known to a member of SKA or your allotted security team.

Follow-up process:
There are procedures of accountability and further reporting that need to be carried out by SKA security staff. This will take some time and in addition the base US military will conduct a clearance exercise of the entire location. When the all clear has been given, only then will personnel be allowed to return to their rooms and soft cover."

I wondered what the IDF alarm sounded like. If we were attacked in the middle of the night, would I sleep through it? In the end, I suppose it was a quick (if messy) way to go...

When does anyone start getting used to this stuff?