Iraqi Security Force

Today a group of us were touring the Green Zone and had a unique experience.  We were at the famous "Crossed Swords", site of a huge parade field where Saddam Hussein used to watch his troops march up and down the field.  The arms holding the Crossed Swords are modeled after Saddam's own arms.  The new Iraqi government has expressed their plan to tear down this monument in the near future. 

Anyway, on today's tour, there were several of us walking around and taking pictures.  As we were doing this, a group of "uniforms carrying firearms" approached us.  We recognized that they were not U.S. soldiers, and for a moment wondered if we were in an "off limits" area.  But they seemed friendly enough as they approached us from their Humvee.  As they came over, we recognized them as Iraqis, serving in the Sons of Iraq program.  These are similar to "community watch" guards, usually assigned to a local community and keeping an eye on everything.  This has been a huge success as it pays "military aged males" to help with security, as opposed to having them unemployed (and potential recruits for Al Qaeda).  

They approached us and stuck out their hands and spoke to us, in very good English.  They asked if they could get a picture made with us!  We were excited to join them for a photograph to commemorate our visit to this landmark.  No, it wasn't excitement about the landmark, it was excitement over the historic moment that we shared with these young Iraqi soldiers.  As we chatted with them, one of the guys asked me quickly if I could help him emigrate to America.  He stated that his brothers and sisters had made it to England, but he wanted to come to America.  I was only able to give him a quick word of advice, we shook hands and parted ways.  I was glad that we'd exchanged greetings with them, and had our picture made together.  The upcoming change in political leadership in the States makes us all wonder what the future holds for both our reconstruction efforts, and the future of Iraq.  I know that I speak for all of us in the picture when I say that we hope for peace in this war-torn country.  

Scenes in the Palace

The Embassy is now housed in one of Saddam's palaces, known as the Republican Palace.  By the end of December, we expect to vacate the Palace and hand it back to the government of Iraq.  It's been an unusual workplace!  A few days ago I took a couple of pictures to share with you.

The chairs and couch are in a little corner around from my office.  Since there are about 10 of us in my office, with no privacy, we often use these little sitting areas to hold conversations that require privacy.  

The other photo shows the ceiling in one of the ballrooms in the Palace.  The story I heard was that the artist was instructed to paint these horses, all stallions, in this scene.  (Saddam saw himself as quite the "stallion").  The artist knew that upon completion of his work in this palace, he would be executed.  (I was told that this was because Saddam didn't want the artist doing any future, better, work for anyone else.....that's sick, huh)?  Anyway, as a last act of defiance, the artist painted the horses as geldings, not stallions.  

If I could show you the ballroom floor, you'd be surprised!  When the Palace was set up as our Embassy, our construction crews built a series of plywood cubicles all across the ballroom.  Underneath that ornate, beautiful ceiling.......it's Dilbertville!!! I find this so ironic!!

Going to the Dogs!!

Security is tight for all of us serving in the coalition forces in Iraq.  I’d dare to venture that a very large percentage of the people and budget for Operation Iraqi Freedom is dedicated to security.  We have military security and private-contractor security.  A very important component of our security is non-human….they’re dogs!! 

There are a lot of details that can’t be shared, but suffice it to say that we all transit through security checkpoints on a daily basis.  Some of these checkpoints have specially trained dogs on duty 24/7.  You do not pass through these checkpoints without a highly trained canine giving you the “once over”!!

Today we were treated to a rare opportunity to see some working dogs in action!  We visited the compound of one of the private contract security companies that is responsible for providing security teams to the Embassy.  They currently have over 100 teams working here, each team consisting of a person (handler) and their dog. These teams are specialists at detecting explosives, and the dog is the working part of the team!!!

For this work, 4 breeds of dogs excel…they are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah) and Labrador Retrievers.  I’m familiar with two of these breeds, but the Dutch Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are new to me.  Both of these breeds mature at around 65 lbs, and like the other two breeds, are real working dogs.  The security company obtains these dogs from four breeders; two in the U.S., one is Tanzania and another in South Africa.  Seventy percent of their handlers are from South Africa, the rest from the States.

The dogs are trained to react (sit down) when they recognize one of the thirty-five different explosive components that they are trained to detect.  These dogs cost between $5,000 and $15,000!!!  These dogs arrive in Iraq already trained to a certain level.  This security company then trains the dogs to an even higher level.  Once trained, the go to work, putting in 8 hour shifts, regardless of the weather or other conditions.  In addition to work, they continue to receive 12-14 hours of additional training every week!  They have to maintain a 95% proficiency rate in order to keep their jobs. 

We learned that these dogs are generally pretty “high strung”, and don’t usually make good pets.  These dogs are almost “obsessive-compulsive”…..they work hard and want to work hard!!!  We were allowed to pet a few of the dogs, but mostly had to keep our distance. 

These working dogs are really impressive.  I’m glad to know that they, and their dedicated handlers, are watching out for our safety!!