Warhorse BTT assists Iraqis securing border

Photo By Michael Molinaro | Leaders from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Iraqi security forces meet every day to ensure the security of Iraq. Lt. Col. John McCarthy, deputy commander, 2nd BCT, meets with Maj. Gen. Hussein Zaebadi, deputy commander, Dept. of Border Patrol, 5th Region Jan. 12 in Najaf.  

NAJAF, IRAQ

01.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Pfc. Michael A. Molinaro
2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

NAJAF, Iraq " In addition to training Iraqi army soldiers and conducting joint counter-insurgency operations, Border Transition Teams are helping Iraqis secure their borders.

BTT leaders from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, met with members of the Iraqi Department of Border Patrol, 5th Region, at its headquarters here Jan. 12.

The 5th Region controls a long stretch along the Saudi Arabian border, a section where terrorists are known to smuggle drugs and weapons into Iraq, said Lt. Col. John McCarthy, BTT commander, 2nd BCT.

McCarthy met with Iraqi Maj. Gen. Hussein Zaebadi, deputy commander, 5th Region, Dept. of Border Patrol, to discuss operations, personnel, security and logistics.

"We need to develop a working relationship between the border patrol, the Iraqi army, and the Iraqi police," said McCarthy. "We have a lot of overlapping effort between the three forces and the reason for the coordination meeting is so we can all be more effective."

Zaebadi stressed that it is a busy time of year for his forces. During the recent feast of Eid-al-Adha, a major Islamic religious holiday, the border patrol provided security for thousands of pilgrims as they journeyed back from Mecca.

"Things are going well," Zaebadi said. "We caught four guys trying to cross illegally from Saudi Arabia (during feast week). The feast is a happy time, but also a very busy time for us."

Forts are being built along the border to maintain a constant presence and prevent illegal entry into Iraq, said McCarthy.

McCarthy and Zaebadi do not limit their discussions just to operations, he said. They also talk freely about religion, cultural differences and the Iraqis new appreciation of television, a form of entertainment that was strictly regulated under the previous regime, said Zaebadi.

"Working with the deputy commander, its fun to socialize a little bit," McCarthy said. "Arabs are very kind and generous."

• Date Taken: 01.24.2006
• Date Posted: 01.24.2006 12:02
• Story ID: 5187
• Location: NAJAF, IQ