Photo By Cpl. Triah Pendracki | A Marine with Multi National Force - West gazes at the arches marking the border...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Triah Pendracki
Multi National Force-West Public Affairs
PORT OF ENTRY TREBIL, Iraq – In furtherance of Iraqi sovereignty and the Security Agreement, Iraqi officials are proving to U.S. and coalition forces that they are not only ready, but capable of defending themselves and their country.
Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler, the deputy commanding general of Multi-National Force-West, paid a visit to Port of Entry Trebil in Iraq's western Al Anbar province, Feb. 12, to view a validation exercise demonstrating the progress of local Iraqi security forces charged with guarding the border between Iraq and Jordan.
POE Trebil had long been a gateway for illegal trafficking from Jordan into Iraq until a small detachment of Marines formed the Port of Entry Transition Team, and trained local Iraqi government forces to defend their port of entry from smuggling and terrorism.
While at POE Trebil, Wissler watched a reaction drill during which the ISF responded to a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. With minimal help from the POETT, Iraqi forces quickly threw up a security perimeter as a team of firemen put out the blaze and paramedics rushed in and pulled a simulated casualty to safety.
Wissler said he was impressed by the ISF's skilled performance during the demonstration.
"This was a tremendous opportunity for me to see in action the operations and the ability for this port of entry team at Trebil," he said. "It's a joint operation across all elements of the Iraqi security forces to join together to respond to a vehicle-borne IED, and their performance was magnificent."
After the demonstration was complete, Trebil's port authority, Iraqi army Brig. Gen. Fahdel, led Wissler through the port to see other security measures that allow safe transit through the POE.
The POETT Marines are using fewer hands-on training techniques with the ISF as they are becoming more independent, but the aid of U.S. and coalition forces is still a important, but ever diminishing, factor in the Iraqis' success.
"We will continue to execute our humanitarian actions and our civil military operations," Wissler said. "What we're trying to do is remove ourselves as much from our physical presence in Iraqi lives, but at the same time we are going to continue to have our hand outstretched."
"In partnership with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, we will continue to help to bring a better life to all the Iraqis."
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq's Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2009 11:52 |
| Story ID: | 30053 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 355 |
| Downloads: | 270 |
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