Keeping the pipelines safe

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Peter Gray, commander, Alpha battery, 3rd Battalion 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division is greeted by the Executive Officers of the Iraqi 9th Strategic Infrastructure Battalion. Gray was visiting to check up on the status of training and competence of the Iraqi unit.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

01.30.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt 1st Class Walter E. van Ochten
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (January 20, 2006)--Much of the Iraqi economy is based on the oil revenue that comes from the northern regions of the country. This oil must flow through a long pipeline system to the coast for seaborne shipment to the global marketplace.

Keeping this pipeline safe in the Tikrit area is the responsibility of the Iraqi's 9th Strategic Infrastructure Battalion.

The Rakkasans of Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, are the Coalition unit which liaisons with the 9th SIB as they provide pipeline security.

According to Lt. Col. Richard D. Root, Commander, 3/320th FA, the SIB provides fixed-site security for the pipeline and power lines in the Tikrit area. Their main task is to keep anti-Iraqi forces from disrupting the flow of oil. The 9th SIB has watch bases at strategic locations along the pipeline from which they send out patrols, up and down the line, to check for bombs or other forms of sabotage.

Alpha Battery will visit the SIB bases to meet with their commanders to try and build a working relationship between them.

During these visits Capt. Peter Gray, Commander of Alpha Battery, discusses the needs and responsibilities of the 9th SIB. These SIB units will often ask for support in getting the training and equipment needed to complete their mission. This ranges from communications gear and transportation to training sites for the SIB soldiers in the Alpha Battery area.

"I'll meet with the SIB leadership to coordinate logistics, operations and training while my NCO's [non-commissioned officers] will walk around the base to check that the [Iraqi] soldiers are where they're supposed to be and doing things the right way" said Gray.

When asked about getting some radios, Gray lets them know that they will have to submit those requests through Iraqi command supply channels. However, he can help by notifying brigade level Coalition personnel of the SIB's needs. The Brigade staff will then follow-up with their Iraqi counterparts about the needed equipment. This way it puts the responsibility and accountability for equipment solely on those who need and use it, the Iraqis themselves.

Coalition Forces now only oversee the system to ensure it is working the way it should and help out in fixing any problems that might come up, said Gray.

Training is also a big part of these meetings. Gray follows up on the status of training recommended at their last meeting. Having been told that all the training was done, he outlines the training goals to achieve by their next meeting.

"It's important for them to know basic combat skills." said Gray.

Assuring that the 9th SIB is capable of securing the vital oil pipeline is one of the most important tasks for revitalizing the Iraqi economy. The Rakkasans hope this economic stability will work as a strong counter to anti-Iraqi violence in the area.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2006
• Date Posted: 01.30.2006 12:23
• Story ID: 5247
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ