Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Jared P. Skinner instructs Iraqi...... read more read more
By Master Sgt. Randy L. Mitchell
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq " Security Forces pride themselves on making the first impression visitors to a base see, now they are instilling that same pride and professionalism in Iraqi airmen.
Three U.S. Air Force security forces members are responsible for training the Iraqi protection force that will ultimately inherit security operations for New Al Muthana Air Base here.
The Airmen have been training Iraqi Air Force personnel for two months, according to Tech. Sgt. Jared P. Skinner, Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of Security Operations at New Al Muthana.
"We have been primarily training the Iraqi enlisted members in an effort to develop the mid-level NCO's to perform flight sergeant and shift supervisor duties," Sergeant Skinner said. "Using the train-the-trainer philosophy these NCO's will be responsible for training new security recruits assigned to the base."
According to Sergeant Skinner, the training is necessary since the Iraqis have no experience in static base defense or providing security for base resources such as aircraft.
"The Iraqi's are very eager to learn," he said. "Our tactics, techniques, and procedures have encouraged a completely different way of approaching security."
Most of training has been focused on protecting base assets since New Al Muthana is currently the only Iraqi Air Base in the country and will be home the 23rd Iraqi Squadron and their three C-130E aircraft.
"The 23rd IS is currently in training status at Ali Air Base," said Air Force Capt. Jerry Ruiz, Forward Operations executive officer at New Al Muthana. "They will move to their new home here in January,"
The security forces training being completed here is just one part of training taking place that covers a full-spectrum of base support, according to Sergeant Skinner.
"U.S. trainers are deployed here at New Al Muthana to cover the full spectrum of a mission support group," he said. "We have security forces, vehicle operations, civil engineering, communications, as well as a medical technician training their counterparts."
Sergeant Skinner was selected for the assignment based on his background. He served as a heavy weapons trainer for security forces, before taking his current assignment as an A7 action officer for headquarter Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Two other Air Force defenders make up the three-man team in charge of getting the Iraqi protection force up-to-speed.
Tech. Sgt. Michael Marzec, is the Base Defense Unit Training Advisor; while Capt. Greg Holmgren is the Senior Base Defense Unit Advisor.
Marzec, deployed from the 30th Security Forces Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., said he sees their mission as an opportunity to teach the best Air Force security forces practices to the Iraqi military.
"I see our efforts paying off as Iraqi officers and NCO's learn how and why the U.S. Air Force operates within the framework of our core values," said Captain Holmgren, the Operations Officer for the 374th Security Forces Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan. "That is never more evident than when these two outstanding NCOs are teaching their skills to the Iraqi forces."
"I have been an instructor for most of my Air Force life," said Skinner. "You really have to capture the Iraqi trainees" attention at times, so having that experience has definitely made this more of a manageable task."
The 10-year Air Force veteran was thrilled to be given an opportunity to help develop the new Iraqi Air Force's security force corps.
"I knew somebody would have to provide the training," he said. "I just never thought I would be working this closely with them; however the progress we have made here is something to be proud of."
The security forces team arrived in September, while the base was still just a construction site.
"We spent the first month or so conducting vulnerability assessments and executing force protection improvements in order to provide a secure environment in which to train," Sergeant Skinner said.
There have been several challenges along the way, according to Sergeant Skinner. One was learning to communicate effectively with the trainees.
"We primarily use of an interpreter during training," he said. "However, we make a conscience effort to engage in language training with the Iraqi's. Their English is coming along much better than my Arabic.
The largest hurdle has been developing self-confidence in the enlisted ranks, according to Sergeant Skinner. During Saddam's reign, the gap between enlisted men and officers was tremendous--there wasn't any respect for the enlisted soldiers..
"The biggest challenge though has been preparing the enlisted for the responsibility they are about to accept," he added. "Enabling them to accept delegation has been tough.
"In the new Air Force, that gap is beginning to close, Sergeant Skinner said. "The Iraqis here see the responsibility our enlisted Airmen possess and they mimic that behavior. It's very encouraging."
The senior U.S. Air Force advisor to the base believes it is imperative that they do not fail in their mission at New Al Muthana.
"The future of Iraq depends on it building back its airpower," said Lt. Col. Michael J. Mawson, Senior Military Advisor to New Al Muthana. "To do this they need to have strong and efficient security forces guarding their bases. The security trainers are doing an outstanding job in shaping the future Iraqi security forces.
"There are no other Iraqi Air Force base defense units. This is their first and Tech. Sergeants Skinner and Marzec, along with Captain Holmgren, are setting the standard for how future Iraqi security forces will perform their mission," said the New Hampshire Air National Guardsman.
"What we are trying to do here is build a successful and sustainable model for the Iraqi Air Force," Sergeant Skinner said. "Hopefully, all of the training, mentoring, and advising will help create a capable and independent force for the country of Iraq, long after we're gone."
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2005 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 4051 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 50 |
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