Iraqi Emergency Response Units vital to inner-city security

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Douglas | U.S. Soldiers from 3rd battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, meet with Iraqi Emergency Response Unit members and gather information during an ERU checkpoint inspection in Kirkuk, Iraq. The purpose of the inspections are to ensure the Iraqi police understand checkpoint procedures.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.09.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq — In an effort to curtail complacency and encourage community policing, Iraqi Emergency Response Units assisted by U.S. Soldiers conducted checkpoint inspections throughout the city of Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 9.

According to Capt. Bradley Hardy, Akron, Ohio, native and commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, whose unit participated in the inspections, the ERU is intended to be first responders to any crisis in Kirkuk.

"These checkpoints are called upon regularly to assist in significant activities ranging from regular street crime to a cordon around a car bomb," Hardy explained.

"Maintaining vigilant checkpoints is critical to the security the Iraqis can provide for themselves," he said.

And with at least 37 identified ERU checkpoints throughout Kirkuk along important roads and in populated areas, the inspections take time.

"I will direct a set number, usually around eight [checkpoints] each mission for the tasked platoon to inspect," Hardy said.

The evening's mission involved inspections of seven ERU checkpoints around the city.

"Our main responsibility [during inspections] is to ensure the Iraqi police were alert, and at all the checkpoints," said 2nd Lt. Jaciel Guillermo, a platoon leader with 3rd Bn., 82nd FA, who was on the mission.

Guillermo also said another purpose of the inspections was to ensure the IPs understood checkpoint procedures.

"We check to see if the Iraqi police are practicing their standard operating procedures for allowing vehicles to pass," Guillermo said.

"My battery works daily to train and advise ERU in skills such as vehicle maintenance, first aid, checkpoint duties, and improvised-explosive device recognition and defeat," Hardy said.

Hardy has even produced a DVD training video starring ERU personnel in an effort to leave a sustainable source of training that will outlast his unit's deployment.

"Our philosophy is to teach these guys to fish instead of giving them just enough fish to last until our replacing unit gets here," Hardy said.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2009
• Date Posted: 09.16.2009 05:45
• Story ID: 38834
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ