‘Longknife’ Squadron helps Iraqi refinery security force defend vital infrastructure

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Mathew Moore, left, commander of 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and an Ophelia, Va., native, gives instructions to Staff Sgt. Niall Cooper, center, a cavalry scout with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment and a Wimberley, Texas, native, on where to place concertina wire at the Dora Oil Refinery in Baghdad, April 11, 2011. The “Longknife” Squadron met with the refinery’s Oil Security Force, helping it to secure a vital piece of Iraq’s oil infrastructure. (Photo by: Sgt Richardo Spence)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.11.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Richardo Spence

BAGHDAD—Troopers and leaders with 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Divison, United States Division – Center recently met with the security forces at the Dora Oil Refinery in Baghdad to help distribute and deploy concertina wire and other defensive measures.

The visit was part of the squadron’s ongoing advising and assisting mission, and helped make a vital piece of Iraqi infrastructure more secure, enabling it to support the nation’s economy.

The Dora refinery is like a city-within-a-city, with a number of investment firms located there, all partnered with the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior. In addition, 12 privately funded fire departments are located in and around the refinery, due to the fire risks associated with petroleum-based products. The whole area is secured by its own special police department, the Oil Security Force, whose sole mission is to protect and serve Iraq’s oil refineries, including the one at Dora, and their resident workers.

“[Oil] will always be a big part of Iraq’s infrastructure, therefore we have to provide the best security because it still is a target for those who want to destabilize our country,” said Col. Ibrahim, commander of the Dora OSF. “This is done by preventing would-be attacks.”

Part of deterring and disabling threats to the refinery is implementing defensive measures like concrete barriers, concertina wire, and checkpoints. The “Longknife” Squadron, during its meeting with the OSF, used its expertise to help set up the concertina wire and other defenses.

“Anything that looks out of place will not be allowed though our gates and will be sent away and thoroughly investigated,” Ibrahim said, adding that he was grateful for the Americans and their help with the defenses.

In a brainstorming session over chai with Lt. Col. Matthew Moore, commander of 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. and an Ophelia, Va., native, Ibrahim exchanged ideas on the best security, tactics and practices for his unit.

Ibrahim also thanked Moore and his soldiers for the assistance in moving and placement of concertina wire at the refinery.

“You and your men are our partners and we are here to help, anytime,” Moore said. Ibrahim, in turn, told Moore that his soldiers were likewise always welcome, though he maintained that his men were up to the task of protecting their piece of Iraq’s vital oil infrastructure.

“We will be sorry to see [the Americans] go,” he said. “But it is time and we are up to the task of taking care of our country.”

• Date Taken: 04.11.2011
• Date Posted: 04.21.2011 07:09
• Story ID: 69086
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ