The Humorous Moment That Interrupted a Pentagon Briefing

An air-raid test halted the briefing, but it became a lighthearted moment.

ByABC News
April 7, 2016, 2:24 PM

— -- U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, was speaking to the media from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad today when a “duck and cover” drill interrupted his briefing.

“Duck and cover. Get away from the windows,” the automated warning blared.

In a humorous moment, Warren ducked beneath the camera before popping back up.

U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, was speaking to the media from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, when a "duck and cover" drill interrupted his briefing.

“Sorry, couldn’t help it,” he said, laughing.

The siren continued to go off in the background, bringing the briefing to a halt for several minutes.

PHOTO: In a humorous moment, U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, dropped out of camera view before popping back up.
U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, was speaking to the media from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, when a "duck and cover" drill interrupted his briefing.

“Well, ‘The Daily Show’ will thank us for that free video, I guess,” Warren joked. “Or not.”

The “duck and cover” drills prepare embassy staff and servicemembers for a serious concern: incoming indirect fire.

The embassy has taken indirect fire in the past, so these warnings, which are issued in English and Arabic, are an important precaution in a war zone.

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