POETTs walk their beat, help secure Iraqi-Syrian border

Photo By Sgt. Rebekah Lampman | Military police platoon leader, 1st Lt. RJ Henderson, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, uses his hand-held radio to communicate with other members of his team at the Iraqi-Syrian border March 21. Henderson, a San Luis Obispo, Calif., native, works at the border to help provide training for the Iraqi customs police and border police officers, as well as providing security.  

04.09.2007

Courtesy Story

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Paula Taylor
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

COMBAT OUTPOST HEIDER, Iraq – With weapons loaded and at the ready, they walk their beat in full battle-rattle, carefully making their way through the crowd.

All eyes are on them — heads turn and people nudge one another for a better look. This isn't just a routine patrol and they aren't your average cops. They are members of the Point-of-Entry Transition Team, or POETT, and their "beat" is to help secure the border between Iraq and Syria. Their home stations range from Fort Bragg, N.C. to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and their jobs range from military intelligence to military police officers. The team works around the clock in shifts and hand-in-hand with the Iraqi security forces to ensure everyone entering the country has a legitimate reason, passport and goods.

• Date Taken: 04.09.2007
• Date Posted: 04.09.2007 14:02
• Story ID: 9827