Gates Visits Troops, Meets Officials in Iraq

By John D. Banusiewicz

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, April 6, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here this evening to visit U.S. troops and to meet with Iraqi officials.

The secretary traveled here from Saudi Arabia, where he met with King Abdullah earlier today.

Gates is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani, and also with Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq.

A senior Defense Department official told reporters traveling with the secretary that in his meetings with Iraqi officials, Gates plans to discuss the importance of completing the formation of Iraq’s government, especially the security-related ministries, as the United States draws down its forces. He’ll also discuss the need for progress in implementing the reconciliation agreements that were part of the initial government formation process in the fall, the official said.

Gates also will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to a long-term partnership with Iraq, the official added, and will emphasize the mutual benefits of a relationship that continues beyond the scheduled departure of U.S. forces by the year’s end.

The official said the post-2011 relationship probably will be driven by three factors: the state of the Iraqi security forces, stability challenges Iraq will face, and the U.S. ability to engage with Iraq across a whole range of activities.

Iraq’s security forces are doing a good job with internal security, the official said.

“Keep in mind we’ve drawn down over 100,000 forces and handed over security responsibility for the entire country to the Iraqi security forces over the last two years,” he said, “and security incidents wiggle around, but they’re basically flat at the lowest levels that they’ve been for the entire war.”

The bigger challenge facing the Iraqi security forces, he added, is external defense –- such as protecting Iraqi airspace –- because Iraq’s forces haven’t been trained and equipped for such a large conventional capability.

“That will be something that they’ll have to continue to work on moving forward,” he said.

Extremist groups will continue to pose a challenge in Iraq beyond 2011, the official said.

“I don’t think we see it as a strategic threat to the overall stability or viability of the Iraqi state,” he added, “but you will see organizations like al-Qaida in Iraq and some of the other extremist groups that are capable of periodic spectacular attacks, just as they are today.”

The ability of the United States to engage with Iraq across a spectrum of diplomatic, cultural, economic, educational, scientific and security activities beyond 2011 rests upon adequate funding for the State Department, the official said, noting that Gates has stressed this point in congressional testimony.

“The State Department has asked for money to continue the police training mission,” the official said. “We think that’s incredibly important, so that the police can get up to a capability so that they take over the internal security mission and the Iraqi army gets out of that job over time.

“The State Department has asked for money so that they can have a robust presence throughout Iraq, not just in Baghdad,” the official continued. “Then we could have consulates in the north and the south, and some temporary diplomatic facilities along the Arab-Kurd fault line. It’s important that the State Department gets the money for that.”

The official also stressed the need for Congress to fund continued support for Iraq’s security forces and to provide the funding and authorities needed to stand up an office of security cooperation in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to continue security assistance and cooperation after 2011.

“That’s a basket of things that fall under the State Department and their [fiscal 2011 and 2012 budget requests] that the secretary feels very strongly needs to be resourced,” the official said.

Guardmember draws on civilian-acquired skills to give unique training in Iraq

By 1st Lt. Nathan Lavy

224th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq (2/7/11) – Using his civilian-acquired skills, the 224th Sustainment Brigade support operations sergeant major, with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), provided Customs Border Clearance Agent training for Soldiers here.

More than 30 Soldiers with the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, received CBCA training Jan. 24 to 25, qualifying them to inspect and certify redeploying Soldiers’ equipment and vehicles heading back to the United States.

“What this training provides is for U.S. military, non-branch specific, the opportunity to search and inspect equipment, duffel bags, TUFF boxes, and [containers], to include aircraft,” said Army Sgt. Maj. Jorge Ortiz, support operations sergeant major with the 224th Sust. Bde., 103rd ESC.

“They are looking for the same things that I look for at the border.”

Ortiz is a supervisory Customs and Border Protection officer at the Calexico, Calif., port-of-entry, previously being on its anti-terrorism contraband enforcement team.

“I’ve been doing my job for over 15 years,” Ortiz said.

“Working at the land border ports of entry is like being a police officer in a city, but without having probable cause. If I suspect you have something, I do not need a search warrant to search you.

“We do what is called ‘selectivity;’ we select certain travelers based on trends. We use our targeting techniques, indicators, and our questioning and searching techniques to see if people are legit. We also deal with vehicles, conveyances, and the railroad.

“We are looking for terrorists, narcotics, illegals, stolen vehicles, ammunition, guns, and money.”

Ortiz is the only qualified instructor in Iraq.

“To be a CBCA, you must be a noncommissioned officer and above, and you have to go through a criminal background check,” Ortiz said.

“Trained Soldiers have the full authority to do the inspections, and they can only do it overseas in all the countries that fall under [Central Command]. The certification is valid for the duration the Soldier is deployed.”

Ortiz’s training included one day of classroom instruction and one day of hands-on practical instruction.

Army Sgt. Tommy Leath, a support operations maintenance non-commissioned officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, participated in the training.

“The training has been outstanding,” Leath said. “I learned a lot from the classroom portion. The hands-on training was the best part because we’re actually out here doing it. …

“We want to make sure there is no ammo, rounds, weapons or brass that aren’t authorized, and if there are any war trophies. He [Ortiz] was a great instructor – very knowledgeable. He explained to us that this is what he does as a civilian, and it was very helpful.”

The trainees were able to participate and assist in a live inspection conducted by three trained CBCA Soldiers at the “Iron Strong” 3rd AAB headquarters compound on the second day of their training. Ortiz was on scene to provide guidance and instruction.

“I’m glad there was hands-on,” said Army Sgt. Marcus Burke, a tank commander with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd AAB. “The most interesting part of the training was actually doing [an inspection].”

Army Staff Sgt. Nicky Cruzfargus, a fueler with 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., 3rd AAB, was another trainee assisting in inspections of the Soldiers’ gear and equipment.

“The training was excellent, because we learned a lot of stuff relating to rules that protect the United States,” Cruzfargus said. “With this kind of training you show the Soldiers the right way to conduct an inspection before you redeploy back to the States.

“When we saw the pictures and videos that the instructor showed, we never expected to see all the crazy stuff people try to hide and bring back home. We are looking for illegal stuff, like war trophies, ammunition, items that are prohibited, like soils [and] trademarked items. The instructor is squared away; he’s an outstanding instructor, and he did a really great job.”

During his training, Ortiz explains why he loves his job. “The best part of my job is that it’s like a soap opera; everyday is not the same – people come across [the border] drunk, bleeding, or a [baseball] bat in their windshield from fighting, people running or being chased,” Ortiz explained.

Ortiz said he was happy he could provide this training and said it was a unique opportunity to be available to be an instructor in Iraq.

“I’m glad I got the exception to policy to train the Soldiers here,” Ortiz said. “To get a uniform … agent to come here takes a lot of time, logistics, and coordination to make it happen. It’s unique that I am here, because I am qualified to train as an instructor.

“I’m going to be able to help several units in their redeployment process.”