Here are two articles from the military illustrating our efforts to help the Iraqis secure their long border with Iran.

Soldiers from Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment emplace an Unattended Ground Sensor during a nighttime operation Feb. 25. The sensors allow the Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement to track potential smugglers and their routes, making sure their illegal cargo does not enter Iraq. Photo by Cody Harding

The border between Iraq and Iran is heavily guarded, with numerous forts on both sides. However, illegal weapons and other dangerous items are still carried into Iraq by smugglers who supply extremists fighting against the Iraqi government.

The Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement is tasked with dealing with security and interdicting smuggling along the border. With the national elections approaching, its job becomes even more important to the security of the voters across the country.

With tactical and technological assistance from A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the DBE’s 3rd Battalion, 7th Brigade keeps a watch on the border with Iran in Wasit Province.

Spc. Paul Gauthier, a Cavalry Scout with “Assassin” Troop, said that working with the Iraqis is vital in protecting the border with Iran.

“There’s been talk of a lot of smuggling,” he said. “So we’re working with the Iraqis to try to minimize and cut down on all of the corruption and smuggling that’s going on.”

First Lt. Allan Keefer, A Troop, has patrolled the area several times and said that the Iraqi border guards in the area have been willing to train themselves and work with A Troop.

“They’re well trained; we’ve had a lot of previous MiT [Military Transition] Teams and U.S Border Enforcement agents here,” said Keefer. “So they’re trained on the individual tasks well. We’re working with them now so they can do their collective tasks.”

Gauthier, a Honey Brook, Pa. native, said that working with the Iraqis on stopping smuggling has been a great experience.

“They’re great to get along with,” said Gauthier. “They’re easy to talk to, they’re willing to learn, and it’s been going great so far.”

Keefer, from Mercersburg, Pa., shared similar sentiments.

“The Iraqis that are working on the border are getting better every day,” he said. “Their capabilities aren’t quite where ours are, but they’re using what they have and they’re doing a good job with it. Of course they can always get better.”

“We’ve denied a lot of terrain to the smugglers by dismounted patrols and different systems we use,” Keefer said. “And we’ve done that all with the Iraqis.”

DVIDS
Story by Cody Harding

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Frederick Do of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment briefs his Soldiers before heading out to inspect Iraqi Guard Towers Feb. 25. The towers, which are used by the Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement to help stop smuggling, are placed near the Iraqi border by the DBE. Photo by Cody Harding

The Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement, the Government of Iraq’s primary force for border security and the interdiction of smuggling, continues to keep an eye on the border with Iran.

They pursue and catch smugglers who attempt to cross the border with weapons, drugs or other means of harming the Iraqi people.

With help from A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the Iraqi border guards of 3rd Battalion, 7th Brigade, Department of Border Enforcement, have added a new watchtower along Iraq’s border with Iran. The new tower will help trained observers crack down on smuggling and reduce the presence of insurgents.

Sgt. Steven Glatfelter, a non-commissioned officer with 1st Platoon “Assassin” Troop, said that working with the Iraqi DBE is a good mission for the unit.

“It’s like working with any Iraqis,” he said. “There’s challenges like language, but they’re eager to learn and they like working with us. They’re very friendly and engaging.”

The two-story tower, emplaced on the boundary between the 7th Brigade and 8th Brigade of the DBE, was placed in the area due to intelligence suggesting the area to be a possible smuggling route, said Capt. Travis Trammell, Assassin Troop commander.

The experience of working with the DBE is a new one for Assassin Troop, who have worked with the Iraqi Police and Army in the past, but not with the DBE, said Trammell.

“The tactics and techniques of the DBE are somewhat foreign to the troops”, he said. “But it has given them an opportunity to learn and they’ve enjoyed it. It’s an interesting setup that the DBE have and it’s something to see.”

Glatfelter, who is from Kinsers, Pa., said that he has seen substantial improvement in the border guards since his two previous tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2007.

“First time we were here, they were just following our lead”, he said. “It was a fledgling military force we were working with, and now they run the show. We are here now as an advise and assist brigade and that’s what we’re doing.”

DVIDS
Story by Cody Harding

An Iraqi border guard with 2nd Battalion, 15th Brigade, Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement, stands guard on a rooftop as the sun sets near the Syrian border, Dec. 8, 2009. Photo by Spc. Mike MacLeod

Since U.S. advise and assist forces began partnering with Iraqi border patrols along the Syrian border in mid-November 2009, the instances of smugglers circumventing port of entry stations have all but ceased, according to several sources within the Department of Border Enforcement.

To prevent arms smuggling prior to the 2010 Iraqi national elections, paratroopers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), began partnered operations and training with border security forces of the 15th Iraqi Brigade, DBE.

Attempts to smuggle contraband across the border berms have been greatly reduced since the Americans showed up, according to Staff Brig. Gen. Dhamin, commander of 15th Brigade.

The Americans bring highly-skilled manpower, armored trucks, night vision optics and satellite imagery, while the Iraqis bring knowledge of the terrain and local smuggling patterns, said 1st Lt. Pat Barone, whose platoon of paratroopers was conducting nightly operations with the Iraqis north of Husayba.

Barone acknowledged that Dhamin and USF are sharing intelligence, and that Dhamin seemed eager to make the best use of the partnership.

At a border fort near a well rumored to have been visited by Saddam Hussein in his early years just before stealing across the border into Syria, the American troops were assisting DBE forces maintain border security through the night and training with them during the day.

“The idea is to establish patterns of behavior so that, when we leave, the Iraqis will continue to implement successful strategies against the enemy,” said Barone.

Following one of the coldest nights on the border, Col. Salah, commander of 2nd Battalion, 15th Bde DBE, drove to the American encampment to thank them.

“Thank you for leaving your families and staying out here in the cold to help us with this important mission,” said Salah.

Iraqi detainees at the fort – cigarette smugglers trying to take advantage of the high price of tobacco across the border – reported that, since the Americans showed up, even cigarette smuggling has ceased.

“The smugglers know that the Americans are watching from the sky,” said a suspected smuggler detained by the DBE, who preferred to remain anonymous. “The smugglers are afraid.”

After a night of partnered patrolling in the wadis, or dry washes, between border forts in areas suggested by the local Iraqi commander, Barone was very pleased with the performance of the DBE soldiers who accompanied his paratroopers on patrol.

The Iraqi-American partnership goes beyond operations and training, and includes trading food for fuel and recreational soccer and baseball.

“We are so happy to be sharing food, conversation, and training with you,” said Iraqi Staff Sgt. Qasim, who has served with DBE for five years and was busy planning his third marriage. “With you here, the smugglers do not try to smuggle across the border.”

Lt. Col. Ayad, a company commander in the 15th Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, reported that his greatest limitations are manpower and lack of night-vision optics, issues they are working to resolve.

“We can no longer give them equipment like we did in the past,” said Barone, adding that the Iraqis must make their requests from their own government.

Barone’s company commander, Capt. Scott Haggas said, he expects their battalion to continue partnered border operations until after the Iraqi national elections.

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Mike MacLeod

The 2nd Battalion, 11th Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement, partnered with Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to assist the Iraqi Security Forces in the disruption of smuggling networks in November.

The American troops used air assets on a mission that began at the al Hawayza Border Fort. The operation was led on the ground by DBE personnel.

“The (Squadron’s) non-commissioned officers have been working to mold the 2-11 DBE men,” said Sgt. 1st Class Loshun Wilson.

Wilson and his Soldiers worked to stop smugglers from crossing a target area while another section coordinated on the ground with the DBE. The border patrol agents searched vehicles and detained smugglers as they came across the area.

“During our movements, we frequently observe training taking place without our presence,” Wilson said. “There is more work to be done, but the rate of improvement is impressive.”

The squadron’s Soldiers arrived at the fort to find that the DBE personnel had just completed their morning training.

“The (border patrol) leaders understand that we need to present ourselves in a heroic fashion to encourage the youth to follow in our footsteps instead of fighting against us and the Coalition forces,” said Capt. Hameed a DBE officer.

Prior to the emplacement of the DBE, weapons and criminals flowed freely from Iran to Iraq. Now, the DBE is preventing that weapon smuggling.

MNF-I