Fallow Field

"While driving on patrol our HMMWV started getting sluggish and off balance, pulling to the side like a dazed prize fighter. We dismounted the vehicle and realized one of our tires had blown. Although the HMMWVs can drive on flat tires our patrol was just beginning, so rather then stumble along the roads we decided to change the tire right then and there. We set up a tight ring of perimeter security and started changing the tire. The area was relatively empty, save for a family that was busy making mud bricks on the side of the road.

As we paused to take in the environs a middle aged woman noticed our arrival and started walking towards us, making a point of showing her hands were empty. I flashed a smile to put her at ease and then walked towards her to find out what it was she needed. As our paths crossed we exchanged greetings in Arabic and then settled down to the reason she needed out help. Through the use of some clever hand gestures the woman let us know that there was an artillery round sitting in her field, leaving them unable to plant the area. Could we help her she asked?"
365 and a Wakeup

Did I miss something? I thought we were not firing artillery in Baghdad? How did that shell get there in the first place?