Iraqi Border Guards Work With 3rd ACR To Protect Border

CJTF 7 ^ | Feb. 20, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraqi Border Guards Work With 3rd ACR To Protect Border

AR AR, Iraq - More than 15,000 pilgrims have passed through the Ar Ar border crossing in recent weeks while the Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement has worked closely with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's 2nd Squadron to secure the crossing and ensure safe travel at Iraq's western border.

The border guards went through a two-week formal training at the 3rd ACR's Rifles Academy and upon graduation were sent out to patrol the borders.

The recruits are from Ar Ar, according to Captain David J. Palazzo, commander of 2nd Squadron.

"They know all of the people who work and live around here, locals are willing to work with and establish relationships with them," said Palazzo. He added that in addition to knowing the people, their ability to communicate with locals has been very helpful as well.

Working in their own community allows for good working relationships while also creating a feeling of pride in protecting their neighborhood, said the colonel.

"It is our country, we have to control our own borders," says Ar Ar Iraqi Border Enforcement Battalion Commander, Lt. Colonel Abdulah Talal Karab Al Hathal. "There has not been much control of these borders in the past, lots of smuggling, we are protecting these borders again," he added.

"The Iraqi border guards are processing pilgrims through quickly and thoroughly," said Sergeant First Class Gary Qualls, 3rd ACR public affairs officer. Qualls was at the border during the Hajj to observe the border guards performance.

"They looked sharp and proud as they were processing entire bus loads of people through the border in just minutes," Qualls said.

"I was proud of them."

According to Lt. Colonel Abdulah, the Iraqi Border Enforcement soldiers are providing faster services and a more efficient process for people passing through the crossing.

Border guards check for weapons and perform a thorough inspection of vehicles passing through the checkpoint.

"We are very well trained at inspecting for contraband and checking passports," says Abdulah.

Border guards take the lead in searching all vehicles as well as checking passports. According to Palazzo, initially their role was an advisory and training role and now it is more of a supporting role, helping them to get the things they need.

Sergeant Andrew T. Fyfe, non-commissioned officer in charge of the tactical psychological operations team, works at the crossing distributing publications. He has noticed soldiers taking the back seat in dealing with any problems.

"Soldiers are not having to do as much work as they had to, they pretty much are trouble shooting at this point."

Palazzo is also impressed by the ability of the border guards to take control of situations. "They have come a long way, they do a lot of the stuff that needs to be done by themselves."

Release #040220b

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

AR AR, Iraq - More than 15,000 pilgrims have passed through the Ar Ar border crossing in recent weeks while the Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement has worked closely with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's 2nd Squadron to secure the crossing and ensure safe travel at Iraq's western border.

The border guards went through a two-week formal training at the 3rd ACR's Rifles Academy and upon graduation were sent out to patrol the borders.

"Soldiers are not having to do as much work as they had to, they pretty much are trouble shooting at this point."

 Palazzo is also impressed by the ability of the border guards to take control of situations. "They have come a long way.."

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3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment ~ "Brave Rifles"

2nd Squadron ~ "Sabre Squadron"

Iraqi-zation, ping!

[SandRat]

Check this story out or in FRlingo PING!

[jolie560]

Knock on the old wood. The Free World and Iraq are forming a good relationship.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Blood and Steel

In 1846, after war with Mexico had begun, the mounted force was further increased. Legislation passed in May of that year to strengthen the entire Army included provision for seven regiments of cavalry manned by 12-month volunteers, a Regular regiment designated the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, and an increase in the number of privates in each cavalry company. The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was constituted to help establish a military road to the Oregon Territory. For a number of years the opening of the road, part of it through unexplored territory, had been discussed. Money was finally appropriated and a plan developed calling for forts from the Missouri to the Columbia. That there ought to be military protection for the project was evident, and for once a mounted force appeared to be the most economical solution.

Debates in Congress on organizing this new force brought out the point that mounted troops could be used to carry the mail, as messengers, and to guard settlers going west. One member of Congress said he would vote for raising the regiment just to restore a rifle regiment to the Army. Although the United States had once been the rifle country of the world, he contended, it had fallen behind the European nations. There was not one rifle regiment in the establishment. He further stated that the unit should be mounted because, he thought, it was idle to send infantry against Indians who would be on horseback.

Headquarters of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was established at Jefferson Barracks in October 1846. The companies, organized at Fort McHenry, Maryland, in Columbus, Ohio, and at Jefferson Barracks, were concentrated at the barracks by the end of the year. But, instead of going to Oregon as intended, the unit joined General Scott's force in Mexico. 'In crossing the Gulf of Mexico from New Orleans to Point Isabel, Texas, the horses were washed overboard during a storm and the regiment, except for two companies mounted on captured Mexican horses, had to fight as infantry.

The regiment was armed with the Model 1841 rifle and a flintlock pistol. Through the efforts of Capt. Samuel H. Walker of the regiment and inventor Samuel Colt, the War Department purchased 1,000 Colt single-action, 6-shot revolvers for the regiment. More than 200 of the revolvers reached Vera Cruz before the end of the war, but there is no record that the unit used them in the Mexican War campaigns.

The Mounted Riflemen, fighting dismounted at Chapultepec, earned from General Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the Army, the compliment that became their motto: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel."

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Winfield Scott

[Cannoneer No. 4]

THE THIRD REGIMENT OF CAVALRY

[blackie]

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment ~ "Brave Rifles" ~ Bump!

[risk]

and a bump to your bumps

[SAMWolf]

3rd ACR Bump

[windchime]

Bump!

[CommandoFrank]

Palazzo is also impressed by the ability of the border guards to take control of situations. "They have come a long way.."

Hummmmm, could we learn to do the same here in the states??? It seems ironic that we are helping them control their borders yet here in the good old USA the borders remain open, allowing terrorist easy accessibility.

[blackie]

We have a few more miles of border ~ like 18,000 miles. :)

[CommandoFrank]

Thus we should do nothing and leave them open and exposed?

[blackie]

Where did I say anything like that ~ Get a grip.

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[CommandoFrank]

I read your post and took it as you saying because we have 18,000 miles of border we couln't protect it. I guess that's not what you meant...

I wish I had your confidence in the Bush/Cheney ticket. The Dumbocrats are so enraged with blind hate because of the last election, they would vote in the devil just to rid the WH of Bush. No matter what or how strong the negative about Kerry is brought forth, they won't hear the message. Their blind philosophy is 'anybody but Bush'. Pathetic...

[blackie]

I was just reporting the length of the borders and was waiting for your ideas on covering them ~ I've heard some wild and wonderful ideas, so far. :)

I have confidence in GWB ~ he's the best presdident we've had in my life (Hoover was prez when I was born) time.

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[CommandoFrank]

I agree with you an the greatness of GW.

I've heard some wild and wonderful ideas, so far. :)

Well, how about sharing them with us...

[blackie]

Two 12 ft high razor wire fences 200 yds a part with land mines in between and lotsa troops.

Also someone suggested electric fences and unmanned drone surveillance aircraft, attack dogs, etc, you get the picture. :).