Warhorse facility houses, processes detainees

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Up to four detainees are housed in each cell at the Brigade Internment Facility on Forward Operating Base Warhorse.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

04.28.2006

Courtesy Story

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BAQUBAH, Iraq " Detainees are captured almost daily in Iraq. Whether they are planning attacks, or actually carry those attacks out, against coalition and Iraqi security forces, they are typically sent to a Brigade Detainee Internment Facility like the one at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

When the detainees arrive at the BDIF, they are processed, questioned and a determination is made whether to send them to a more permanent U.S. military facility, an Iraqi police facility or to release them altogether.

Detainees can spend up to 14 days in the brigade facility before they are transferred to a theater facility or released, said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Edler, BDIF NCOIC, Military Police Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers.

IN-PROCESSING

Detainees are brought to the BDIF by units throughout the 3rd HBCT area of operations. Once they arrive at the Warhorse facility, paperwork is screened and then each detainee is searched, entered into a world-wide database and given a thorough medical examination.

"When they first come in, we have one hour from that time in order to have a medic check them out," Edler said. The medical personnel search for any untreated injuries or illness and prescribe medicine. This screening is followed with twice daily visits during their stay.

After the medical processing they are allowed to shower before changing into an orange jumpsuit all detainees wear while they are at the facility.

After the detainees are in-processed, they are placed in a cell where they are given a blanket, mattress, two bottles of water, a Qur"an and prayer mat.Special cells are allotted for juveniles and female detainees. Both groups are segregated from the general population in the facility for their protection and adherence to cultural sensitivities, according to Edler.

RESPECT

Detainees are accused of everything from conspiring against coalition and Iraqi security forces to conducting attacks against those same forces or Iraqi civilians. Exercising restraint when these individuals are brought into the facility is attributed to the professionalism of the Soldiers working there.

"We've got to treat them better than we treat ourselves," Edler said.
"It's hard to do sometimes, but it's just the way we are. It's why we're doing what we're doing.

"DAILY LIFEDetainees are given three "Meal Alternative Regionally Customized" meals per day. These are bag meals that contain foods specific to religious considerations.

In the mornings a staff physician makes the first of his two visits. During this time, the detainees receive medicine and are thoroughly checked for any conditions which may require further care.

"They get really good medical treatment here," Edler said, 'stuff that they would never get back in the real world.

"During the day, detainees may be questioned to help determine where they will be sent after their stay at the Warhorse BDIF. Most of the day, however, is spent in their cell sleeping, praying or eating. They are provided one hour for daily exercise.

No matter where they go, detainees are escorted whenever they are out of their cells. "It's a really controlled environment. The only time they're out of their cells is when they're using the bathroom, getting showered or getting processed," Edler said.

"Other than that, they're inside their cells at all times unless they're getting screened by a doc."Occasionally, detainees may be let out of their cells to clean the facility or to make improvements.

"All the cleaning that goes on inside the detention facility, from the hallways to the individual cells, is done by the detainees themselves," Edler said. "Anything that's done to improve the facility is done by them.

"OVERSIGHT

During each 12-hour shift, a guard force commander is the link between what happens at the facility and the brigade headquarters. The commander ensures that detainees are properly cared for and that all relevant information is sent to higher headquarters regarding who is at the facility.

"(I) keep track of the detainees; I make sure everything is straight as far as the paperwork," said Sgt. John Santos, guard force commander from HHC, 3rd STB.

The sergeant of the guard ensures the Soldiers working in the facility are doing their job and are where they're supposed to be.

"It's (my) job to stay on (my) toes and make sure all the Soldiers keep working," Dammann said.

"I take pride in making sure everybody's in the spot where they're supposed to be doing the right thing."

Soldiers working at the BDIF received Arabic language training prior to deploying to Iraq to help ease the language barrier that can cause problems between them and the detainees.

Coupled with the knowledge the Soldiers gain from the interpreters they work alongside, the Soldiers are able to communicate basic commands such as stop, kneel down, hands on the wall, turn, walk, hurry up, get up and quit talking.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2006
• Date Posted: 04.28.2006 11:05
• Story ID: 6161
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ