Customs agents clear cargo

Petty Officers 2nd Class Wesley Ferrell and Jason Calugcugan inspect cargo for contraband and agriculture before it is shipped out of the area of responsibility at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2010. Both are customs border clearance agents with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Delta Company. CBCA’s are trained in the use of weapons, driving tactical vehicles, first aid, small unit tactics, and the procedures and standards required of items and personnel re-entering the United States from overseas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman/Released)

Customs agents clear cargo

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Calugcugan inspects cargo for contraband and agriculture before it is shipped out of the area of responsibility at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2010. PO2 Calugcugan is a customs border clearance agent with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Delta Company, and a native of Gilbert, Arizona who is deployed from the Navy Operational Support Center in Phoenix. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman/Released)

Customs agents clear cargo

Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Garcia inspects cargo for contraband and agriculture before it is shipped out of the area of responsibility at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2010. PO3 Garcia is a customs border clearance agent with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Delta Company, and a native of White Plains, N.Y., who is deployed from the Navy Operational Support Center in the Bronx. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman/Released)

Balad Navy Customs works to keep U.S. safe

Published March 4, 2010
By Senior Airman Wes Carter
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- The last days of a servicemember's deployment can be filled with the uncertainty of an itinerary, a busy schedule and visions of friends and family members. One thing a redeploying Airman shouldn't stress over is having their cargo inspected by the Navy customs team.

"We aren't the bad guys," said Petty Officer 1st Class Chauvone Taylor, a customs and border inspector with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Delta Company at Balad. "We are here to protect the United States and the people flying home."

When servicemembers are trying to fit all of their equipment and belongings into their bags, there are a few things that should be left out.

Movies bought at the Iraqi Bazaar, ammunition, knives or anything that could be construed as a weapon and war trophies should be left at JBB, Petty Officer 1st Class Taylor said.

The customs team doesn't stop their inspection with personal cargo. They are obligated to search any cargo leaving the deployed environment. Their work speeds up the time it takes for a deployed member to see their family.

"The Navy customs mission is important in the AOR because we are the forefront in keeping harmful agricultural pests, illegal drugs, and weapons from entering the U.S.," said Chief Petty Officer Todd Bloker, the Balad Navy Customs team chief. "Without Navy Customs, all troops leaving the AOR would have to funnel through Kuwait to get back to the U.S."

The team's operations tempo is steadily increasing as American forces leave Iraq as part of the Presidentially-mandated order to reduce the U.S. footprint.

"As the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq continues, entire units are returning to the U.S. and taking their equipment with them," Petty Officer 1st Class Taylor said. "Navy customs agents are responsible for inspecting all the cargo before it can leave the base."

Although the servicemembers are Navy, their authority to search equipment and personal cargo doesn't come from a military entity or even the DOD.

"We fall under the Department of Homeland Security," Petty Officer 1st Class Taylor said. "This allows us to maintain integrity for everyone we search- from the lowest ranking enlisted member to the highest ranking officer, we search them all."

Like a pilot, a security forces member or air traffic control Airman, the Navy customs doing a job that is vital to the safety of the United States. While out processing JBB, servicemembers should remember that the customs sailors are not there to antagonize or pry but to protect.