Subscribe
TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan -- TK is currently run by the Dutch army who is leaving here by late summer. The U.S. will be taking responsibility for future operations.
A meeting was a means to share information, encourage a smooth change of responsibility and assign authority of tasks.
"We are going to have to work closely together to make this transition work," said Col. Robert Ulses, USFOR-A chief of staff.
The main interests of USFOR-A and the coalition partners here is force protection, logistical services and air operations.
The Soldiers of TF No Mercy are making major improvements to their base security and operations in TK with the help of USFOR-A.
To amp-up force protection, USFOR-A brought in the American K-9 team to secure entry control points and patrol TK.
"We act as a force multiplier," said Kevin Dredden, American K-9 kennel master here. "It would take several people more than 20 minutes to search a vehicle for explosives, while it only takes a dog a few minutes."
The American K-9 arrived at TK in late April.
They have multi-purpose dogs used to detect and attack. They are trained to detect both explosives and narcotics, and attack on command or when engaged.
"Most of our handlers are ex-cops and ex-military, which adds to force protection," said Dredden.
All of the dog handlers must be qualified by the 341st Air Force training Squadron and recertified every month.
The dogs serve as a means of protection and physiological deterrence, said Dredden.
The K-9s and handlers train when they are not conducting a mission or during days off duty.
"We have anywhere from four to six dogs working at once, including dogs on call," said Dredden.
The dogs search trucks passing through the American Camp Cole entry control point, as well as the main ECP.
In addition to the K-9 unit securing the ECP, a Soldier checks every individual's ID and searches every vehicle entering Camp Cole.
Vehicles must also have a vehicle pass, said Maj. John Nalls, TF No Mercy executive officer.
In addition to the K-9s thorough checks, Soldiers are adding to force protection by manning the Camp Cole ECP 24/7.
"Everything that we have been doing has improved the security of the FOB by at least 85 percent since we've taken over," said Sgt. David Zarcone, TF No Mercy wheeled vehicle mechanic, and Camp Cole ECP guard non-commissioned officer.
Before TF No Mercy arrived, many of these security measures were not set into place.
In addition to their efforts, wheeled vehicle mechanics and welders of E Company are currently designing and building a hydraulic gate system for this ECP.
"We have a lot of different [military occupational specialties] working on this project and hope that our efforts are not in vain," said Sgt. 1st Class Allen Welch, E Company motor sergeant. "But we are doing our best to support our command and preserve life the best we can."
Camp Cole ECP guards understand the importance of their job and are also dedicated to keeping their fellow Soldiers safe.
"We pull weekly duty," said Zarcone. "That way, we get to know the people coming in and out and know what to look for."
The Dutch have maintained contracts with local nationals for many of the logistical services on TK.
USFOR-A is responsible for maintaining these contracts once the Dutch leave, said Nalls.
Many services are contracted out to civilians such as food services, facility maintenance and construction.
Afghan security guards man the gates and guard the perimeter of the base. They are individually contracted by the Dutch, said Dutch Army Maj. Chris Heukers, TK base commander.
He would have liked to have them contracted as one unit, but they would be considered a militia. Therefore, each guard is contracted individually, he said.
Contracted local nationals are assigned their own area on base, which calls for heightened security on individual camps.
To add to the security of our American Soldiers, TF No Mercy has employed the vehicle inspection team of Echo Company to search all maintenance and delivery trucks supporting U.S. Forces.
All vehicles entering the base at TK must go through certain security procedures.
The VIT will physically search the driver and passengers of vehicles entering the main ECP. They are contained while their vehicle is searched, said Cpl. Kenneth Whiteside, VIT team NCO in charge.''
"We also look for any markings or tattoos related to the Taliban," said Whiteside. "If they do have any, we enter their information into a database."
VIT is just one more measure TF No Mercy is taking in force protection.
"The dogs search the truck first, and then my team goes through to search for weapons," said Whiteside.
The trucks must then sit for a 24-hour period in what they call the 'soak yard' here before entering the base.
When the Dutch leave TK, logistical operations and contracts may change, but TF No Mercy's roll in security and air operations will remain consistent.
There are plans in progress to extend the runway, relocate the helicopter parking lot and move the Camp Cole ECP further away from the Soldier's living area, said Nalls.
The Dutch have proposed building a civilian airport on TK to support the local nationals need for transportation, said Nalls.
The airport is slated to be built where the current No Mercy helicopter parking is located.
TF No Mercy's air traffic control tower currently has authority of all air operations, said Sgt. Brian Ashkar, TF No Mercy air traffic controller.
The air traffic control tower will also be responsible for the additional incoming and outgoing traffic.
We coordinate and control all air movement here, said Ashkar.
Air traffic coming and going from TK consists of fixed wing, rotary wing, and unmanned aerial vehicles of military and commercial use.
The air traffic control tower manages air traffic within a five-mile radius, said Ashkar.
Along with the additional air traffic, there will be some minor changes of authority concerning air operations such as the aircraft weapons range.
The Dutch currently run the weapon range used by military aircraft. Therefore, they grant permission for aircraft to use the range, while we give the aircraft permission to take off and enter the airspace, said Ashkar.
USFOR-A will be assigning the responsibility of the weapon range to U.S. forces.
With the efforts and contributions of TF No Mercy along with USFOR-A in maintaining air operations and base security, the transition of authority from the Dutch to the U.S. forces should be successful, increasing the safety and pride of Soldiers.
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2010 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 50451 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: | 541 |
| Downloads: | 304 |
This work, TK at large, by SGT Tracy R. Myers, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
