JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq –
Editors note: Capt. Juan Silva, Air Combat Command Security Forces, is deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va. -- 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, Airmen in Joint Expeditionary Tasking positions advise and support the Iraq Department of Border Enforcement as part of border transition teams assigned to the Iraq Assistance Group of Multi-National 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. His team aims to develop and enhance the DBE'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 Nemceff, the Boarder Transition Team comptroller advisor. "We are doing everything we can to ensure our counterparts can sustain their operations after our departure."
The BTT advises the DBE's leaders and staff across the full spectrum of functional specialties critical to the department's long-term success, said 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. Silva, who is deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va. He advises the DBE 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 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 BTT 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 DBE is the responsibility of Capt. Johnny Hill, the BTT 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 Hill, who is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, 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 Air Force Base, 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 war. Less than half of the two floors are habitable, Nemceff said. Also, there are no lights so movement at night can be tricky, but Nemceff and the others are determined to succeed.
"This mission is essential for Iraqi independence," Hill said. "Strong borders help eliminate these threats and will allow the United States to withdraw."