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887th ESFS coordinates, assists Iraqi Marines

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq --  As the Iraqi military enhances its security capacity, the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is doing what it can within the bounds of the new security agreement to help.

The 887th ESFS, under the command of Maj. Jason Beck, is comprised of more than 300 Airmen tasked with area security operations, detainee visitation, counter-insurgency operations and numerous other "outside the wire" missions. The unique mission set of the 887th ESFS often involves close coordination and cooperation with the Iraqi Security Forces.

Lately, the 887th has been actively helping the Iraqi Marines assume a greater role in security operations in southern Iraq through coordination and information sharing meetings.

Hailing from Valdosta, Ga., 1st Lt. Kristopher Juhl, 887th ESFS Intelligence Section Officer, said the coordination is paying off in both directions.

"Intelligence-wise, we pick up some previously unknown tactics, techniques and procedures that are passed along to our patrols to help mission preparation and overall security," he said. "Operationally, we get a sense of their capabilities, and can assess their overall skill levels. The ultimate pay-off is putting an Iraqi face on Iraq's security so we can pull back and eventually go home."

Capt. Pedro Jimenez, 887th ESFS Operations Officer, said the coordination is just one more step towards the Iraqi military securing their own country.

"Prior to our arrival at Camp Bucca, we trained extensively as a unit and then deployed here to carry out our mission. This is standard operating procedure for the U.S. military," the Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, native said. "The Iraqis are in that development phase now, and lately have been carrying out security operations in the area. We are available to guide them and make sure they are doing the things that will ultimately allow them to succeed on their own."

887th personnel meet with the marines once a week to discuss ways to enhance the efforts of both units.

"What we're doing is talking about what we're seeing as far as enemy activity," said Lieutenant Juhl. "Because they're very familiar with the area, they often have a different insight than we do, but if they have something they would like to get more information on, we try to help them in any way that we can. It gives us a heads upon what they're doing."

The end result, Lieutenant Juhl said, is the marines are seen more and the U.S. forces are seen less, and that's exactly what they want.

"The January 1st security agreement lets us reduce our visibility without giving up security gains, so we show a little bit less, but it allows them to be seen more," he said. "So they are out there more but we are still a hand on their back, assisting them as they move forward, encouraging them as they take over a mission that's truly theirs, but if they need our assistance, we are there to help them out within the confines of the rules of engagement. The goal is to get them to stand on their own two feet and take the lead in security operations. If they can successfully execute operations, then by all means, that's what they are there to do, and we can reduce our operations to allow a smooth transition."