Bravo Troop 1-38 Cav. Secures Afghan-Pakistan Border by Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski 16th MPAD, RC-S
WEESH, Afghanistan (May 27, 2011) - Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, located at the crossing points of Pakistan and Afghanistan and provide security to these land bridge areas that facilitate trade.
Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, located at the crossing points of Pakistan and Afghanistan and provide security to these land bridge areas that facilitate trade.
Pictured: Soldiers assigned to Blue Platoon, Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, conduct a patrol toward the Friendship Gate at the Weesh, Afghanistan border, May 15. Afghan Border Police and Soldiers deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., routinely patrol the area for suspicious activity and illegal items.
At the Weesh border crossing-point in Spin Boldak District, the troop, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., work alongside Afghan border police to maintain a defensive overwatch.
To cover their operational battlespace, three platoons rotate every few days, staying at a compound they share with the ABP.
Daily, the troops patrol through the vehicle customs yard located past the Friendship Gate leading into Afghanistan. In the yard, colorful Afghan cargo vehicles, also called jingle trucks take turns passing through the vehicle checkpoint with their freight. The trucks also pass through the Military Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System, an X-ray machine used to scan inside of closed vehicles and shipping containers.
“We operate the MVACIS and scan these vehicles that may be carrying ammonium nitrate, weapons or improvised explosive making materials,” said Sgt. Jason Davidson. “We also make sure they are not transporting narcotics such as opium or hashish across the border.”
With more than 30,000 people traveling through the border each day by foot, tractors, and vehicles, Bravo’s infantrymen also keep careful watch in the Weesh community.
“We do patrols throughout the areas around the border to make sure nothing bad is going on and no one is doing anything suspicious,” said Davidson. “Most of the locals in the area are pretty responsive to us when we are out on patrols.”
Davidson said previous units working at the BPC have had their share of hurdles paroling the area, such as rocks being thrown at soldiers by residents. That disposition has changed over-time because of continuous interaction with the local populace, he added.
“Everyone is still postured as if something can happen, but it’s not to the point we aren’t discouraging the locals from interacting with us,” said Davidson.
Even with a convivial community, threats at the major border crossing from Pakistan exist. Soldiers are aware of the inherent risks at the border where insurgent activities are known to occur.
“Since Bravo Troop has been working at the BCP, we have had a suicide vest attack, three IED explosions in the customs yard and surrounding area and suspicious findings,” said Suthoff.
To combat insurgency, the soldiers and ABP have also maintained a biometrics facility next to the gate that allows them to scan commuters and identify persons of interest who pose a threat.
Suthoff said the ABP has recently assumed full responsibility for operations of the biometric facility from Bravo soldiers. Their partnership has allowed for a gradual, transition of authority.
“The Weesh ABP is extremely professional,” said Suthoff. “They are a very independent and competent group who find the majority of illegal aid. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys as well; they are very professional being in a static position down at the BCP,” he added. “They execute everything I ask, and they do it to the best of their abilities.”
Suthoff also added that in order to get accurate and timely reporting of intelligence in this area, Bravo soldiers and the ABP will continue to communicate and maintain their relationship to prevent threats from entering Afghanistan
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