Published: April 10, 2006
Guarding the Pipeline, Kirkuk Iraq
Captain Lyn Graves
Photo: Captain Lyn Graves, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
Kirkuk, Iraq - The Iraqi Strategic Infrastructure Battalion (SIB) soldier stands on top of a liquid gold mine. That is, he stands atop six percent of the world's known oil reserve, deep beneath the sands of northern Iraq, in and around Kirkuk.
The SIB, partnered with Bastogne Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, are the guardians of the pipelines that move the oil throughout the country.
"The SIB is a focus for the coalition forces," said 1st Lt. Jacob Bailey, a Clyde, Texas native and platoon leader from 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. "Zarqawi said that he will focus on the infrastructure, and so are we."
Ensuring that the Iraqi soldiers are prepared to guard the pipeline means working closely with the Iraqi leadership at the company and platoon levels.
Photo: Captain Lyn Graves, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
"The focus is on the platoon leadership, making sure they have a training plan and that they are actively implementing that plan," said Staff Sgt. Chris DeMarsico of North Adams, Mass. DeMarsico explains the finer points of standing watch to the Iraqi soldiers, quizzing them and their leaders to ensure standards are understood and maintained.
"I want you to take that next step and teach your soldiers; I want you to be a good leader to them," DeMarsico told one of the Iraqi non-commissioned officers.
Teaching basic leadership and organizational management to the SIB is a challenge, Bastogne Soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts face everyday.
Photo: Captain Lyn Graves, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
"We teach and instruct the soldiers many times a day to make sure they do what they must," said Iraqi SIB 1st Lt. Ghasan Ibrahim Ronaye, a platoon leader responsible for several SIB guard posts. "Insha Allah, God willing, we will not be attacked. But if we are we will be trained and ready to act to defend our pipeline."
"This new teaching is different from our old army instructions, which was based upon an old British model. This is very different, so it will take us time to adapt and to learn this new way; but, this new way is better, more simple and easy to understand," adds Ronaye.
"I am hopeful for the future," said Ronaye, "that we will get better at our jobs and that we will be able to protect our country's oil and our people."
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