Posted on 01/11/2007 8:29:22 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — The Airport Road here was once one of the most violent and dangerous roads in the country. Roadside bombs, small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade attacks were an everyday occurrence. Visiting dignitaries, news reporters and the soldiers tasked with providing security were well aware of these dangers along this five-mile stretch, known to the coalition forces as Route Irish.
Things began to change in late 2004 and early 2005. The coalition recognized the critical importance of this main artery between Baghdad International Airport and the International Zone, located in the heart of Baghdad. A new focus was given to clear the road of debris, reduce the number of “blind spots,” and control access to the highway. Slowly, the number of attacks on Route Irish fell until it became one of the safest and most secure, and most heavily traveled main highways in Baghdad.
It was during this time that the 1st Mechanized Brigade, Iraqi National Police took the lead in providing security along the Airport Road.
The 1st Mechanized Brigade is the heavy-hitting reaction force for the Iraqi National Police. Based in Baghdad, its two battalions use a combination of fast Chevrolet pickup trucks and heavily-armored, six-wheeled vehicles used by Army military police units, to man checkpoints and run patrols along Route Irish. But their responsibility does not stop there; the 1st Mechanized Brigade was designed to quickly deploy throughout the region to augment security operations wherever they are needed.
Col. Emad, commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, is a soft-spoken, relentlessly determined, and realistic individual. He recognizes the need for a different mindset when confronting the security issues of contemporary Iraq.
“We are all Iraqis fighting for the Iraqi government,” he said through an interpreter, emphasizing the need to look past sectarian divisions when it comes to performing his role in the National Police.
Public distrust for the National Police is perhaps the biggest obstacle to effective policing. The intelligence officer for 3rd Battalion, Maj. Hamza, agrees.
“The people should feel safe so they can come to the police when something is wrong – they must trust us before things will get better,” Hamza said.
The dynamic nature of Iraqi internal politics today can make it difficult to establish a lasting relationship between the national police and the people, especially a unit designed to be a quick reaction force.
Over the past eight months, elements of 3rd Battalion have deployed to numerous locations both in and outside the capital to augment local security forces. They operate out of a base in southwest Baghdad but often find it difficult to patrol the surrounding neighborhoods, either because of constant deployments or because of conflicting battle-space with adjacent units. The people respect and occasionally fear the deep rumbling of their armored vehicles’ diesel engines, but that does not always translate into trust.
Helping the unit work through these concerns is an American transition team, a 10-man coalition unit that is assigned to work directly with the battalion. Designed to mentor and assist Iraqi units as they take control of the fight, these teams reflect the full spectrum of modern military specialties:
Maj. Daniel Erker and Capt. Kelly Skrdland focus on military police procedures, and Maj. Bernard Brady and Sgt. 1st Class David Johnson teach standard infantry operations and techniques. Staff Sgts. Will Aho and Tracy Goodloe train the battalion on vehicle and weapon maintenance, construction of strong points and daily operations. Capt. Guy Malatino works on logistics, Sgt. 1st Class Billy Teague on communications, Sgt. Raymond Borrego on medicine and first aid, and Capt. Jared Levant on military intelligence.
“Colonel Emad and his battalion, 3-1 Mech, have made incredible improvements over the past nine months, in both efficiency and effectiveness, in the accomplishment of their assigned tasks,” said Erker, the transition team chief working with 3rd Battalion. “This is a direct result of their desire to serve Iraq and its people.”
The job is rarely as straightforward as patrolling the neighborhood. Because of its heavily-armored vehicles and non-traditional police role, the battalion must rely on traditional relationships and positive community feedback to spread word of its good reputation.
Changes in mission can occur quickly and without notice.
“One day we’re patrolling a neighborhood and the next we’re told to hand over responsibility to a different Iraqi unit,” said Aho, responsible for weapons training and maintenance. “The following week our unit might have to focus on a different part of the city to help with stability operations. We know it’s all part of the game, but it makes it difficult to focus on certain types of training.”
Progress is slow, but visible.
“Traditional measures of unit progress and readiness are difficult to use here,” Levant said. “The ‘soft’ factors are so much more important than most people realize. If the Soldiers and policemen feel that their units can take care of them, they will fight. If they have a sense of direction and purpose, they will fight. If they take pride in their work, they will fight.”
Levant said very little can be taken for granted when it comes to daily operations. Even the shortest trips can be fraught with hazards, including roadside bombs, gunfire, and other dangers, reinforcing the need for a police force well integrated and responsive to community concerns.
“We’re here to help the police get on their feet, to give them the tools they need to fight,” said Johnson, the transition team’s top noncommissioned officer. “That’s our role as advisors, but they are the ones who will ultimately bring peace to Iraq.”
In other developments throughout Iraq:
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