Airmen patrol the streets of Baghdad

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Markus M. Maier
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  Baghdad's international zone is surrounded by a network of security and entry control points aimed at keeping insurgents out of the area. However, law and order within the area rests solely in the hands of Airmen.

Approximately 45 security forces Airmen from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.; Lackland AFB, Texas, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, make up the international zone police, officially designated the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 4.

The team, which falls under the Army's joint area support group, is responsible for law enforcement of approximately 30,000 people who live and work in the zone. Half of them are international diplomats, heads of state, coalition forces members, federal agents, contractors and support personnel.

About 15,000 are Iraqi citizens, who either live in one of the neighborhoods within the IZ or come to work there every day.

In 100-plus degree heat, wearing about 75 pounds of gear, IZ police teams patrol an area considered safe, but like any where in Iraq, it still is a target for possible attacks. In addition to continuously searching for breaches in security, the team responds to emergencies, checks credentials, sets up traffic control points, and are the first responders for any type of terrorist attack.

If there is an attack, the IZ police often make the difference between life and death. When the alarm sounds or a device detonates, people seek cover and stay there until the 'all clear' is given. While everyone is taking cover, the IZ police respond to the scene within minutes of the initial attack to start sweeping the area, checking for casualties and ensuring security of the IZ.

"When a rocket or mortar hits, we are the first responders," said Senior Airman Stacey Faulkner, IZ police team member, deployed from Grand Forks AFB. "Medical and rescue personnel can't get to the scene until we declare it safe. That means not only do we secure the scene, but we also take care of the injured, often applying tourniquets, bandages and so on -- essentially stop the bleeding until medical personnel can get there."

Fortunately, these types of attack slowed down during the summer, according to Airman Faulkner.

Keeping 30,000 people safe in a combat environment has its challenges. With insurgents consistently trying to find ways to hinder the coalition's efforts to build a new democratic Iraq, the teams are always on guard. But the IZ has other challenges.

"One of the more challenging aspects of working in the IZ is the amount of politics that you sometimes run into here," said Capt. Joe Wildman, IZ police operations officer, deployed from RAF Mildenhall. "There are a lot of situations where things have to be dealt with delicately. It makes things very interesting when it comes to doing police work."

"Once we get on the road, if we are not responding to specific incidents, we start patrolling different areas ensuring everyone has the proper credentials to be in the IZ," said Staff Sgt. Todd Kobee, IZ police team member, deployed from Lackland AFB.

This is one requiring diplomacy. If someone does not have the proper identification badge or if it has expired, the individual is detained and either turned over to their respective authorities or escorted out of the zone.

To help the security forces personnel communicate with the local citizens, almost every patrol has an interpreter who accompanies them, according to Captain Wildman.

"When we are pulling over Iraqi citizens ... (having an interpreter) gives us an opportunity to explain the situation, what's going on and why they may or may not be violating the law," Captain Wildman said. "It helps us out a great deal. They have been an outstanding asset to our team here."

Throughout it all the IZ police team also manages to put smiles on people's faces. When they patrol through the Iraqi neighborhoods, they spend a lot of time interacting with the area residents. According to Sergeant Kobee, the team always tries to have some extra sodas, sports drinks, and candy with them.

"The kids really love soda here," Sergeant Kobee said. "We always give them some and candy when we are out and about. The most rewarding thing here is interacting with the people. A lot of them, even some of the kids, speak some English. During our patrols in their neighborhoods they often come up and talk to us. They really seem to appreciate what we are trying to do here."

But local community members aren't the only ones who praise the team. Their efforts are seen throughout the joint environment.

"These guys are our eyes and ears here," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gregg VanOrden, Joint Area Support Group director of security. "I've never worked with Air Force security forces before. I usually work with the Army's military police and these guys are every bit as professional as all the MPs I've ever worked with."

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page