By Staff Sgt. Michael Molinaro
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Nowhere in Iraq is the magnitude of the new security agreement on display more than at the Baghdad Operations Command, where Iraqi security forces leaders huddle daily with their brothers from Multi-National Division - Baghdad and the Baghdad Operations Command Advisory Team.
The BOC is a task force that was established by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in an effort to maintain security within Baghdad and is commanded by Iraqi Gen. Abud Kambar. The BOCAT conducts day-to-day coordination with the BOC to synchronize combined operations to protect the population in Baghdad.
"The BOCAT's primary responsibilities are to advise, coach, teach and mentor our Iraqi counterparts," said Maj. Steven Milliken, BOCAT Operations Officer, 4th Infantry Division. "The advisors ensure that current coalition forces operations are synchronized with the BOC and information is shared between MND-B, battle space owners and BOC forces."
The BOCAT is made up of more than 80 personnel, including Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and other MND-B units, Multi-National Forces - Iraq, Sailors and a Marine. Col. Bill Salter, 4th Inf. Div., is the BOCAT Chief and advises and mentors Abud. Salter also acts as a liaison between the BOC and the leadership of MND-B, commanded by Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond.
The implementation of the new security agreement has handed control of Baghdad and the coordination of all military action within the province to the BOC. With the increased responsibility of the BOC, a new command information center is currently being constructed at the BOC's headquarters. It will facilitate operations, intelligence and planning into the same room which enables for better staff organization and enhancing their situational awareness, Milliken said.
"The CIC allows the advisors better access to their counterparts and will enable advisors to ensure information goes to the correct staff sections for analysis and action as required," he remarked.
The new security agreement has not changed much in regards to the relationship between the BOC and BOCAT. In relation to MND-B, however, the BOCAT has become an even more vital element of MND-B's operations.
"With the conditions of the Security Agreement, the importance of the BOCAT has significantly increased as the advisors become the entry point for MND-B to support ISF operations," said Salter, a Del Rio, Texas native.
This deployment has seen numerous successes under the BOCAT's watch. During the Sadr City uprisings last spring, the BOCAT coordinated and synchronized all ISF offensive operations during the conflict, Milliken said. Once the operation was completed and the special groups leaders were killed, captured or fled, the BOCAT supported the BOC in re-establishing essential services to the area and the rest of Baghdad.
The BOCAT assisted with the recent transition of the International Zone to ISF control; worked hand-in-hand with their Iraqi counterparts to ensure the successful transfer of Sons of Iraq members to the government of Iraq and transitioned all SoIs under coalition forces contracts in Baghdad; and is currently working to help prepare security for successful provincial elections scheduled for this month.
"The BOCAT provided critical situational awareness to CF," Salter said. "This increased situational awareness quickly identified emerging flash points within the ISF or the population. The BOCAT, therefore, was able to notify MND-B, who could adjust operations and force dispositions accordingly in order to mitigate these emerging threats to stability."
Subordinate advisory teams are spread throughout Baghdad, serving in the same capacity as the BOCAT with their respective ISF units while at the same time serving as another source of information for the BOCAT. As the deployment for many of the BOCAT's members winds down after 15 hard months, the reasons for their successes are not hard to figure out.
"In addition to mentoring and advising, our advisors also created personal relationships, sharing on past experiences," Salter remarked. "With very few exceptions, our advisors are all previous deployers to Iraq, having worked with Iraqis and used their experience and knowledge to forge a special relationship with their counterparts."