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Airmen advise Iraqis on border security

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  Iraqi servicemembers are now charged to protect more than 2,268 miles of Iraq's border, including a 36-mile coastline, to prevent illegal entry of contraband, weapons and insurgents.

To assist them, American Airmen in joint expeditionary tasking, known as JET, positions advise and support the Iraq department of border enforcement as part of border transition teams assigned to the Iraq Assistance Group of Multinational Corps-Iraq.

Maj. Jack Nemceff is the senior Air Force member on the team, which includes four other JET Airmen deployed to Forward Operating Base Loyalty, Iraq, which lies on the outskirts of Baghdad. 

The team aims to develop and enhance the department of border enforcement's capacity to secure Iraq's borders, he said.

"Bottom line is, we aim to provide Iraq with the tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to secure its borders and maintain its border operations independently," said Major Nemceff, the border transition team comptroller adviser. "We are doing everything we can to ensure our counterparts can sustain their operations after our departure."

The border transition team advises the department of border enforcement's leaders and staff across the full spectrum of functional specialties critical to the department's long-term success, said Major Nemceff, who is deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

Before deploying, members of the team had to attend specialized training at Fort Riley, Kan., where they learned how to be combat advisers and how to shoot, move and communicate with other servicemembers deploying to Iraq. They also received Arabic language and culture training.

Capt. Juan Silva, the team's customs advisor, received training from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials before deploying. Captain Silva, who is deployed from Langley AFB, Va. He advises the department of border enforcement chief of customs police, who is in charge of more than 8,000 police officers stationed at Iraq's air, sea and land ports of entry. He said his goal is to build the Iraqi customs police into a stronger force, able to secure its own borders.

"Customs police will serve as a viable smuggling interdiction and enforcement agency to enhance security of the Iraqi borders as well as the interior of the country," said Captain Silva, a native of Fayetteville, N.C. "This will ensure no material could be smuggled that could harm the citizens of Iraq or those assigned in the support and stability operations, including drivers trying to smuggle in foreign fighters whose main objective is to cause instability."

The border transition team also covers many other key issues such as construction, budgeting and intelligence. Communications is a critical common denominator. Helping to build a robust communications network and a sustainment system for the department of border enforcement is the responsibility of Capt. Johnny Hill, the border transition team communications expert.

"Often as an adviser, the Iraqi leaders have the means at their disposal to handle situations internally, but they often miss the key networking piece," said Captain Hill, who is deployed from Scott AFB, Ill. "As advisers, we open up those networks and share information."

Capt. Roderick Edwards, a contracting officer deployed from the Pentagon, and Capt. Brian Kinney, a personnel adviser deployed from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, fill the remainder of the team. They focus on teaching the Iraqis about contracting and on improving accountability, pay and promotions.

Work for these JET Airmen can be complicated due to their austere environment.
These Airmen work and live in the same building, which was bombed during the earlier phases of war. Less than half of the two floors are habitable, Major Nemceff said. Also, there are no lights so movement at night can be tricky, but the team is determined to succeed.

"This mission is essential for Iraqi independence," Captain Hill said. "Strong borders help eliminate these threats and will allow the United States to withdraw." 

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