Keeping the Iraqi Borders Safe

A student from the 5th Department of Border Enforcement Academy's advanced noncommissioned officer course jumps a hurdle in an obstacle course Dec. 29 during the class's morning physical training session in their compound on Forward Operating Base Echo, Iraq.
Carlos Carrillo, a retired U.S. border patrolman, plays the Iraqi national anthem, Dec. 29 at the 5th Department of Border Enforcement Academy, as 99 advanced noncommissioned officer course students practice singing in preparation for their graduation ceremony at Forward Operating Base Echo, Iraq.

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
Courtesy Story

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ECHO, Iraq – The commands, "parade rest, attention," and "double time" could be heard clearly through the early morning chill Dec. 29 at FOB Echo, but not in a way most American Soldiers could understand.

Ninety-nine Iraqi border patrolmen stood in formation, motivated to start the day. Physical training was first, led by a student who quickly earned the respect of his peers and instructors, according to Staff Sgt. Jammie Tucker, senior noncommissioned officer of the Diwaniyah stability transition team. The team is part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

The men running to an Arabic cadence were only days away from graduating from the 5th Department of Border Enforcement Academy. It is the largest advanced noncommissioned officer class the academy has seen.

The 5th DBE consists of border patrol, border police, customs, and two quick reaction force battalions. The units cover four provinces including Diwaniyah, Najaf, Karbala and Muthana. The class that was close to graduation consisted solely of border patrolmen.

After physical training, the students ate breakfast, practiced drill and ceremony in preparation for graduation, and then moved into a classroom for instruction. Day 42 of the 45-day-long course was already in full swing; it was only nine o'clock.

According to Maj. Ryan Yedlinsky, an STT deputy team chief, the students had already been through a vigorous course agenda including port of entry operations, personnel searches, check-point operations, reaction to terrorists and suicide bombers, and drugs and weapons smuggling. These topics were taught in the classroom and with practical exercises.

"The students might sit in the classroom and learn about check-point operations for example," Yedlinsky explains. "Then they actually come outside, set up a mock check point and go through what they just learned."

Yedlinsky commends the academy's curriculum but believes the course is more than just a refresher for border patrol operations.

"We want to help them understand what they are capable of as NCOs," he said. "Initiative is the biggest thing we try to instill in the students. We hope they walk away with that."

Yedlinsky explained, until recently, the Iraqi Security Force Noncommissioned Officer Corps was not recognized in terms of leadership. Instead, NCOs took on roles of runners to the officers.

"In addition to explaining the role of the NCO to the students here, we also explain it to the officers that we work with," Yedlinsky said. "We explain to the officers that they are very busy men and can rely on their NCOs. What we are starting to see now, especially in the staff sections, is the officers really using their NCOs."

"Patriotism, honor, duty and service," said Carlos Carrillo, a retired U.S. border patrolman. "Appreciation of their service is what every warrior seeks. Their motivation is commendable."

Yedlinsky explained, with the 3rd HBCT's current advise-and-assist mission in Iraq, American instructors, like Tucker and Carrillo, show the students how American NCOs operate, then let them build their own style of leadership.

"The Iraqis are capable people," Yedlinsky said. "This works for them because they live the culture and they know the people better than we ever could."

Lt. Hider, dean of the 5th DBE Academy, agreed and added a touch of pride to his already growing confidence in his students.

"The students take this course seriously," he said through a translator. "They are the first barrier of defense to protect this country. They should be proud. They represent the Iraqi security forces and they protect the people of Iraq."

The students will graduate Jan. 4th at the academy compound on FOB Echo. Kadom, a student enrolled in the course, said he is proud and happy that he will be one step closer to becoming an NCO and said he is ready to become a role model for his subordinates

That's What We Do

Let's take time to remember those in the armed services on active duty, reservists, or have fallen in the line of duty. Think of the fearless men and women that put on a uniform everyday to make freedom - because there are no freedoms without those willing to fight for them.

This video tribute to those on the front lines is the story of true patriots, as told by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North at the NRA Annual Meeting in 2009. It is a stirring profile of the spirited, courageous guardians of our precious freedom. America's best...

THAT'S WHAT WE DO...WE'RE AMERICANS
WATCH VIDEO

Baker Boys: Inside The Surge

If you didn't get the opportunity to watch this last night, set your DVR's for the next three Tuesdays. This will also be out on DVD soon.

On Tuesday, January 5, HDNet will premiere a four-part documentary series called BAKER BOYS: INSIDE THE SURGE.

The series, which will air every Tuesday throughout the month of January, is an intimate, inside look at Baker Company, an elite group of Army soldiers on an extended tour in Iraq as they 'surge' into a notoriously dangerous Al Qaeda stronghold. "BAKER BOYS: INSIDE THE SURGE" was filmed over three months in 2008 by veteran combat photographer Jon Steele.

As the Baker Boys' three-month deployment unfolds, viewers get a gripping look into the everyday lives of our soldiers on the front. The documentary features first-person, real-time storytelling as the soldiers of Baker Company negotiate new alliances with local Iraqi militias, pay off tribal sheiks for their cooperation, and deal with the fear and uncertainty of being thrust into the middle of counter-insurgency warfare, where money and trust are their most effective weapons. This is a deep penetrating look into the life of a soldier that exposes the raw personal emotion and the honest physical experience of combat soldiers operating in Iraq.

Director Kern Konwiser explains, "The documentary bears witness to the physical and emotional cost paid by American soldiers who, after years of fighting to win the war in Iraq, are now cast into an unfamiliar and unsettling role of winning the peace with non-traditional weapons: talking, trust building, and cash. These tactics stopped the violence and saved lives; it is fascinating, and sometimes unsettling, to see our own soldiers helping and handing out weekly payments larger than what most soldiers earn in a year to the very people who were trying to kill them just weeks before."

Baker Company is led by a tough but measured Army captain, Rich Thompson of West Palm Beach Florida, who has to keep his tired men motivated and safe in one of the most dangerous places in the world - all this during the last months of their extended tour. The Baker Boys thought they were about to go home; instead, they found themselves on a whole new mission.

"This documentary series is extremely powerful," said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Our viewers will be deeply moved by these soldiers and the stories that they tell us in their own words. We're proud to be a part of this project and to present our viewers with this inside look at life in Iraq."

The documentary gets inside the lives of the men of Baker Company like very few war documentaries ever have. The Army allowed Jon Steele into a world that is glamorized in films and television, but inside Jon's camera we get to see that world honestly and deeply, not dramatized or glorified. "I wanted to hook up with a combat unit to look in their eyes, hear their voices ... get them to open up about their feelings and emotions," said Steele. "I made a deal with them; I'd be willing to die with them if they'd be willing to talk to me."

This 4-part program was Directed by two-time Emmy Award winner Kern Konwiser, Executive Produced by Cal Boyington and David Pritchard for Gigapix Studios and Vincent Gonet and David Rihs for PointProd, and Produced by Kip Konwiser and Jon Steele. The film was edited by Derek Boonstra and Davon Ramos.

Dennis O'Brien is the Executive Producer of News and Documentaries and Lucia McCalmont is the Director of Program Acquisitions for HDNet.

For more information on the program, including clips and photos please visit the following links:

BAKER BOYS: INSIDE THE SURGE WEBSITE
HDNet Baker Boys: Inside The Surge

Technology is Awesome

It absolutely amazes me that we have such awesome technology these days that we can actually video call Itaq and see our loved ones. It's the next best thing to seeing them in person. I spoke with Nick this weekened via Skype and it was so great to be able to see him as well as hear his voice.

Nick looked and sounded great and seemed to be doing quite well. He is very excited that he will be changing jobs soon. Joey was at work when I called Nick and was so jealous when he found out that we had talked. Now he can't wait to give him a call...which I'm sure will be chocked full of laughs. The two are hilarious together!!!

Skype video calls are totally free and enable families to keep in better touch with there loved ones while deployed. I just started using Skype and am now trying to get my friends in England and Italy to sign up. It is absolutely the next best thing to being there.

Thanks Skype!

SGT Natalie Rostek Enjoys Work as Photojournalist

SGT Natalie Rostek enjoys her work as a Photojournalist. Listen to her story.