IRAQI RESISTANCE

Guardian: Mortar Attacks on U.S. Bases Growing

BALAD, Iraq (AP) - When soldiers of the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division settled into a new headquarters, some people in the area gave them a less than warm welcome: regular mortar attacks at the base where they sleep, eat and work.

Though no one has been killed in the attacks at the Sustainer Air Field, there have been wounded - including 20 members of an Army medical team injured in one attack.

And the mortar fire - which has come nearly every other day since July 3 - has had a definite psychological impact on the troops, shaking the earth and sending soldiers scurrying for cover in the middle of their daily routine.

``You don't know when and where the next one is coming,'' said 1st Lt. Greg Hotaling. ``It's not like in the movies when you hear a whistle. That's why it's such a psychological weapon. In a firefight, you can at least see something there. As long as you can put something between you and him you're safe.''