Photo By Staff Sgt. Frances Goch | A Soldier at a controlled entry point searches and Iraqi contractor and his belongings...... read more read more
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Story Marine Cpl Frances L Goch
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
AL ASAD, Iraq - Sustaining force protection is a constant battle because things that are seen everyday can be overlooked.
"It is always good to have someone else take a look at what you are doing," said Air Force Col. Robert Burton, operations chief, Task Force Ramadi. "Often you are blinded by familiarity."
The force protection assessment team from Multi-National Corps – Iraq visits forward operating bases to assess the force protection helping commanders see where improvements are needed.
"We always make sure to tell the commanders that this is an assessment, not an inspection," said Sfc. Scott Pfab, operations antiterrorism chief, AT/FP MNC-I. "We are just there to make suggestions and give them options on how to mitigate these vulnerabilities."
The team checks the perimeter, entry control points, fuelling areas, ammunition storage areas, living areas, high occupancy facilities and they do it with great attention to detail. They look at every angle trying to insure they haven't missed anything.
"We check these places because if there is going to be a breach in security then these are the places that it is most likely to occur," said Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey West, technical defense advisor, MNC-I AT/FP. "
The team checks for protection from indirect fire attacks from rockets, artillery, and mortars or improvised explosive device blasts.
While assessment team members are out they talk to whoever is working that area weather it is US service members, coalition forces, or contracted civilians.
"This way we can get the best picture of how that facility is operated and where potential vulnerabilities could lie," said West.
They document everything by taking pictures and notes so that nothing is forgotten.
After their assessment is done the team then uses those pictures and notes to make a brief for base personnel responsible for force protection. In the brief they go over the positives – things that are good force protection, the negatives – vulnerabilities, and the neutrals – things that aren't necessarily vulnerabilities but might not be the most effective way to accomplish what the base was trying to accomplish.
"With every negative or vulnerability we tell them the best practices that we have seen work on other bases so they can apply it to their FOBs," said Marine Maj. Mark Szarmach, deputy chief, AT/FP MNC-I.
According to Szarmach, the assessment team's whole purpose is to help.
"I'm glad they bring a fresh set of eyes," said Burton. "Our number one mission is force protection. It is the 'no-fail mission,' and it is the most important thing we do."
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2008 07:19 |
| Story ID: | 22222 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 214 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
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