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Package of small groups of Air Force security forces members who work diligently to build a solid relationship with the local community, strong enough to last for the foreseeable future at a time when suspicion characterizes relationships between nations in the middle east.
Soundbite 1: (Tech Sgt Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
At one level, viper 1’s mission is to execute a five-kilometer perimeter patrol of the base. We are in charge of listening post/observation posts (lpop,) sector sweeps, unexploded ordnance sweeps and interacting with the host nation military. But, at another level it is a larger mission of contact with the local population.
Between the months of October and March, the locals set up campsites scattered throughout the desert on open land. They don't always reside there, but they use the land for farming or ranching.
Soundbite 2: (Tech Sgt Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
Partially it is a business for some. It is no different from in the states. We have ranches where we raise horses, sheep, goats, turkeys and ducks. It is exactly the same here.
There are many who camp because the tradition reflects the customs of the nomadic Bedouins who farmed in the desert centuries ago. However some just do it for recreation.
Soundbite 3: (Tech Sgt. Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
They also have Diwaniya, which is a social setting. All of their friends come out and meet and have dinner and break bread with each other. It is the same as in the states when we have our friends over. They talk about politics, they talk about religion, they talk about current events and they talk business.
The camps are worked by third country nationals or tcn’s who reside there full time. Their roles include maintaining the animals, cooking and cleaning. Typically, the owner will also have a house in a near by city.
Soundbite 4: (Tech Sgt Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
A typical day for viper 1 is we come in, do changeover, and conduct out sector sweeps to make sure no one is in our area. Afterwards, we initiate our lpops and travel around to different spots within the area, so we can control key terrain. Once that is complete, usually in the evening, we start doing the counter insurgency mission piece and head out to the camps. The locals don’t come out during the middle of the day because it is generally hot, so we have to wait till the evenings.
Each day brings new opportunities to make connections. The first thing sgt daniel and his team do is establish contact by showing up at the camp during the day and speak with the tcn’s.
Soundbite 5: (Tech Sgt Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
We talk to the tcns that work there because the owners live in the surrounding villages and towns and only come out in the evenings. We try to get the owners name and phone number. Then, we leave and have our linguist call the owner and explain to them who we are, what we do and why we are out here.
Through that communication, Sgt Daniels and his team usually get invited back to the camp. The first visit, the security forces members, go through the customs of drinking chai and coffee and having dinner. This more often than not leads to a blossoming friendship. And the benefits of the relationships are never-ending.
It’s a force multiplier. We only have a certain amount of folks that work the patrol and if we relied on that we wouldn’t get as much done. With the locals, instead of having a small amount of eyes, we have a plus up to hundreds of sets. It also builds trust. They know the area, they know their neighbors, they know all the people, they have been here their whole lives and if anyone different moves into the area, they are going to call us. We make sure they know our names and how to reach us. That way they can call us and let us know “hey, something isn’t right with the new guy in town.”
The security benefits are important, but the contact builds a lasting bond that eventually may be more useful.
Soundbite 7: (Tech Sgt. Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
This is a great job because it really changes your mindset as far as anything you have in your head previously about what to expect from the arab culture. When you come here, you actually see the real people.
Soundbite 8: (abu talal, local camp owner)
I like how nice and friendly the American people are. It’s not like we hear at times, that they don’t like the people of the middle east. They are actually very friendly and always try and help us.
Soundbite 9: (Tech Sgt Robert Daniel, ncoic viper patrol)
It is not like what you see on t.v. it helps you get past the surface and you actually get to know them on a personal level and you learn that there is not really that much a difference between our culture and their culture, if you really sit down and think about it, he added. We are bridging the gap between two different cultures. It is just as enlightening for us as it is for them because they only know a certain amount about Americans. Whenever we go out there they don’t know what to expect. They learn that there is not a lot of difference between us and them. It is a learning experience on both ends. It is nice to see the light go on that we can all get along and we can all work together.”
Sgt Daniel and his team really enjoy visiting one camp in particular because of the entertainment on of the locals provides. Abu etman really is quite the character.
One of the local camp owners Sergeant Daniel has grown extremely close to is Abu Talal, whom he plans to have as a guest to his home in texas in the near future. Abu Talal’s relationship with American’s spans back to the gulf war, where he and five of his family members were imprisoned by Saddam Hussien. After seven long months they were liberated by the united states forces in Iraq.
Soundbite 10: (Abu Talal, local camp owner)
The Iraq forces came over in 1990. Then the American forces came and liberated us and this lead to the amir al-Jaber al-Sabah to be very friendly with Americans. The American’s helped me and all the people.
Sergeant Daniel, who has be visiting Abu Talal and more than 40 other camps over the last six months was given a name: Abu Jack. In Arabic “abu” means “father of.” traditionally once a male has his first son he will take on the first name Abu and his second name will be that of his son. Abu Talal wants Sgt Daniel and American forces to feel right at home in his camp.
Soundbite 11: (Abu Talal, local camp owner)
We know you guys are out here for six months to a year and are very far from your families. So i want to try and make you guys feel happy and have fun with us. We want Sgt Daniel to feel like he has friends and family for the time he is here.
Technical Sergeant Daniel is heading back to the states in a few short days, however his friendship with Abu Talal and the local people will carry on through the program he has built for his viper patrol. Reporting from south west Asia i am staff sergeant Peter Ising.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2011 12:01 |
| Category: | Package |
| Video ID: | 130956 |
| VIRIN: | 111123-F-4498I-698 |
| Filename: | DOD_100282837 |
| Length: | 00:07:43 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Downloads: | 13 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 13 |
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