Courtesy Photo | Spc. Brad Coffell of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., a mechanic, Company G, 3rd Battalion, 29th...... read more read more
By 2nd Lt. Theresa Ockrassa
3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
NASIRIYAH, Iraq – A company of soldiers from 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, were recognized by United States Forces-Iraq during a random inspection of the Camp Adder gate and its checkpoint safety standards.
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd AAB, also known as the “Ghostriders,” received one of the highest security ratings in Iraq, according to inspectors.
Making the high ratings even more remarkable is the fact that the soldiers recognized aren’t military police or infantrymen. Company G is a team of mechanics, cooks, drivers and fuel supply specialists who have learned what it takes to secure the base.
“Staying on Adder you don’t actually realize all the threats at the gate, and I’m glad to do my part,” said Spc. Vera Stelzer of Killeen, Texas, a health care specialist. “Working at the gate has opened my eyes to the dangers that are here.”
In the past three months, Company G has confiscated an estimated $96,000 worth of contraband items to include cell phones, fake badges and identification cards, airplane parts, wigs and masks.
“Everyone gets X-rayed, everyone gets searched and their bags get searched,” said Sgt Nathaniel Ojeda, of New Berlin, Wis. “If anyone attempts to bring contraband on base, then they are banned from all bases.”
Contraband items are not always easy to find and are often hidden in secret compartments within the vehicles. The Ghostrider soldiers and their contracted security counterparts have become very skilled at finding these hiding places.
“You have to check everywhere, they’ve gotten incredibly sneaky,” said Sgt. Javier Gonzales of Hesperia, Calif., a heavy wheeled vehicle operator.
Upon arrival, the Ghostriders developed new crowd control measures and identification processes which streamlined entrance to the base and maintained security. They also added more security cameras, a two- way intercom, and more X-ray equipment.
The pedestrian entrance was improved to accommodate the high number of Iraqi workers coming and leaving around the same time each day. Too much time was spent controlling groups of Iraqis trying to get to work before the upgrades were complete.
“One morning I was working the X-ray. I looked out the door and saw the interpreter and the guard chatting one minute and then overwhelmed by a wave of pedestrians who were trying to get to work,” said Spc. Nathaniel Mott of Pendleton, Ore., a mechanic.
Within the first month of their arrival, the Ghostriders redesigned the pedestrian entrance to provide enhanced security and areas for preliminary searches, increasing safety and reducing crowds.
They also use technology to their advantage, such as electronic fingerprint recognition and retinal scanners.
“We use this technology to help identify those who don’t belong,” he said. “These instruments are the heart and soul of the process because it helps keep the bad guys out.”
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2010 09:35 |
| Story ID: | 60158 |
| Location: | NASIRIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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