Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Flavia Goddard, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, briefs the on-coming guard shift...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Charles Feher
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – For five grueling months Soldiers from the Phoenix Battalion have prepared, executed and improved a complex defensive plan that has protected the Striker Brigade's headquarters from local and regional threats.
Led by the 'Black Knights' of Company B, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, the Base Defense Operations Center supervises the execution of all force protection activities on Forward Operating Base War Eagle in northern Baghdad.
The perimeter is secured by several guard towers with interlocking fields of fire, multiple entry control points, a state of the art visual surveillance system and enclosed by tall, thick concrete walls adorned with barbed wire.
Soldiers guarding the entry control points are highly skilled in escalation of force tactics, techniques and procedures and ensure that threats attempting to enter the FOB do not reach or penetrate its perimeter. Unlike most coalition occupied FOBs, the Iraqi army is co-located with U.S. troops and share the same perimeter. This unique situation presents a difficult challenge in controlling unauthorized access to the FOB. Written and photographic access rosters located at every entry effectively eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access to the FOB by creating an in-depth reference and understanding of Iraqi civilian, Iraqi army, local national contractors and U.S. Army identification cards and authorizations.
Meticulous personnel and vehicular searches further prevent malicious materials from entering the FOB. When discrepancies in identification do occur, BDOC's excellent rapport with the Iraqi army allows for swift confirmation of the identification of the individuals in question.
Sgt. 1st Class Carl Pinyan, a native of Denver who serves as BDOC non-commissioned officer in charge is proud of the dedication and attention to detail that Soldiers on guard duty maintain.
"They are always alert, professional, and prepared to handle any situation," he said.
Additionally, the Black Knights enhance force protection measures by conducting reconnaissance patrols throughout the area surrounding FOB War Eagle. These patrols provide a significant opportunity to interact with and win the hearts and minds of the community and Iraqi security forces.
Sgt. Jose Lozoya, an Odessa, Texas, native, echoes this sentiment.
"Because we do these patrols the local nationals get to know us and we them. It makes us both feel more secure," he said.
The patrols also increase the BDOCs ability to find and identify possible threats.
The tower guards, entry control point guards, patrolling Soldiers and BDOC personnel execute continuous full-spectrum defensive operations providing the Striker Brigade with safety and security from the enemy. Their diligence and swift response to possible threats has earned the respect of their fellow Soldiers, the Iraqi army and the local populace.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2008 12:06 |
| Story ID: | 23511 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 765 |
| Downloads: | 437 |
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