U.S.-Iraqi partnership halts smuggling across Syrian border

by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MNF - W PAO

by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod/1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. MNF-W PAO Staff Brig. Gen. Dhamin, left, commander of Iraq’s 15th Brigade, Department of Border Enforcement, discusses suspected smuggling routes with 1st Lt. Pat Barone, a platoon leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade). U.S. and Iraqi forces are sharing intelligence, training and operations to halt smuggling of arms and other contraband across the Iraqi-Syrian border.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE UBAYDI, Iraq — Since U.S. advise and assist forces began partnering with Iraqi border patrols along the Syrian border in mid-November, 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 before the 2010 Iraqi national elections, paratroopers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), began partnered operations and training with border security forces of the 15th Iraqi Brigade, DBE.

According to Staff Brig. Gen. Dhamin, commander of Iraq’s 15th Bde., attempts to smuggle contraband across the border berms have been greatly reduced since the Americans showed up.

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 rumored to have been visited by Saddam Hussein in his early years, U.S. troops assisted DBE forces maintaining 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.

After one of the coldest nights on the border, Col. Salah, commander of 2nd Bn., 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.

At the fort, Iraqi detainees, 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 dropped significantly.

“The smugglers know that the Americans are watching from the sky,” said a suspected smuggler, who was detained by the DBE and preferred to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. “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. Their skills and knowledge were of great benefit during the operation.

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. “With you here, the smugglers do not try to smuggle across the border.”

Lt. Col. Ayad, a company commander in the 15th Bde.’s 2nd Bn., 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.