MUFON 84949

Stationed in Iraq 2003 saw a small slow moving hovering fireball. looked like a small 30 foot orange sun. I was on guard station in small building in Iraq in 2003. From the Samarra CMOC I looked out toward the Tigris river and saw what looked like a fire ball. It looked exactly like some of these fireball orange pictures of the sun but was maybe anywhere from 30-60 foot in diameter. A solid sphere of fire. It raised up from what looked to be the Tigris river and moved very slowly and smoothly. It hovered maybe 50 foot off the ground then started moving parallel to the ground still very slow and smooth. Moved maybe 100 foot then started on an upward direction. It then almost vanished but looked like it took off straight up at a very high speed. I have been all over the world and was in the Army for 7 years. I have never seen anything like this ever in my life. I reported it and it was quickly dismissed. But a team, including myself, got put together within 20 mins and we went out to investigate. Nothing was found but the vegetation was very dense with very tall grass, probably about 10-15 feet. Never got an explanation and never seen anything like this again. This was around September 2003 in Samarra Iraq. I was on the front gate guard post around 10-11pm local time. It was very quiet with no one around anywhere since there was a curfew I am unaware of any type of ordinance that can do that as slow and smooth the object moved, maybe no more then 5-10 mph and very smooth. No noise was heard from it. I was within 100-300 feet or so of it. If you look at a map of Samarra and find the police station next to the cemetery, just over the main bridge and into the main city. I was looking from the front gate at about the front gates 10 o clock direction and toward the Tigris river. I would be willing to discuss this and possibly be willing to disclose my identity. Would really love to know what I saw since it's bugged me ever since.