For Soldiers, Desert Becomes Cruel in April as Heat Rises points out one more reason I’m glad I’m not going to war:
A blacktop road in Baghdad on a July day can hit 150 degrees Fahrenheit. [...] With typical desert temperatures cresting at a fiery 120 degrees in July, Iraq could prove to be an inhospitable place to fight a war, especially if the conflict bogs down. [...] Most U.S. tanks and personnel carriers aren’t air conditioned, and temperatures inside can easily rise 25 degrees above outdoor air temperatures. Although biological or chemical attacks on invading U.S. troops are considered by most analysts to be unlikely, just the threat of them means soldiers probably will wear protective gear and not just carry it in their packs. [...] Indeed, the military’s new chemical suits, though far lighter than earlier versions, can get steamy quick. Last November, at a Pentagon briefing to show off the lighter suits, one soldier modeling the gear became overheated under the harsh camera lights and fainted, pitching face-first into a row of chairs.
Perhaps our army’s new ninja powers will protect them from the heat:
Although military planners have steadfastly refused to discuss timing for a war, tradition suggests the start date may come shortly after March 3, the beginning of the new moon — the phase when it reflects no light. [...] To some extent, the U.S. military will mitigate the effects of sun and sand by doing most of its traveling at night, when temperatures can drop into the 80s and troops, outfitted with night-vision gear, will have a distinct advantage.