CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Since arriving in Iraq, Charlie “Combat” Troop of 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment has partnered with Iraqi 2nd Commando Battalion, 11th Department of Border Enforcement Brigade at a sandy outpost on the Iran-Iraq border.
The 1st Platoon from Combat Troop has been working diligently with 2nd Commandos to aid in securing the border and helping train various 2nd Commandos soldiers on the tasks they will need to know to help them secure their own borders without assistance from U.S. Forces.
For the last few weeks, 1st Platoon has been working with the three checkpoints that fall under 2nd Commandos to help teach them basic skills.
“The DBE personnel at the Zaafran CP are very eager and receptive to the training we provide,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Stelly, a cavalry scout from Tucson, Ariz., and one of the primary instructors. “On our second trip we had them demonstrate what they learned the first time, and all the Soldiers had retained the information and training and were very eager to demonstrate what they had learned from us on search techniques.”
It is not just the DBE personnel that are given the opportunity to learn and receive training.
“When training we will also include many of our Soldiers so they do not miss out on this great opportunity,” said Sgt. John Lambert, a cavalry scout from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. “This provides a way to keep up with the training our Soldiers need without taking away time from operations.”
“Working with the Iraqi DBE also gives us the ability to put what we know into practice instead of simulating it,” said Spc. Matthew Callihan, a Scout and driver from Snellville, Ga. “At the checkpoints we can search the vehicles with the DBE or go out on patrol with them providing realism you do not get in training.”
This is the first deployment for many of the Troop’s younger Soldiers. Daily interaction with their Iraqi counterparts is a learning experience they will use as a foundation for future operations.
The efforts of 1st Platoon in working with the 2nd DBE Commandos will help the Iraqi Soldiers carry on in their job of securing the Iraq-Iran border long after the 2nd Squadron, 13th Calvary Regiment redeploys.
As a result of their training, the 2nd DBE Commandos have greater confidence and proficiency in their tasks and are more capable of stopping cross-border smuggling in northern Maysan province.
