Jun 18 2008
At the Iraq-Syria Border
Earlier this month, I took a trip to the town of Rabiyya. Rabiyya is an Iraqi town on the Syrian border. We are involved in an upcoming project to improve the border crossing in that area, also known as the POE (point of entry). In the picture below, taken from Google Earth, you can see the stark contrast between the development on the Syrian side of the border compared to the lack of development on the Iraqi side of the border.
Our project is to build a new immigration building. So we drove up to Rabiyya in our REVAs to take a look at the project site. In the past, this same drive would take approximately 4 hours because we had to avoid most of the major routes heading west out of Mosul. But because the security situation has improved, we were able to take a much more direct route and arrived in Rabiyya after driving for only a little over 2 hours. Unfortunately some Iraqi government officials from Tal Afar were killed by insurgents on this same road earlier this week. So the improved security comes and goes right now.
To get an understanding of the project, we basically walked the route an Iraqi would take if he were crossing the border into Syria. Here we are heading into the first check point for border crossing processing.
In addition to my normal security escort, we were supported by Eagle Troop, 3/3 ACR. They live at COP Heider right on the Syrian Border. It was pretty quiet this day because the POE was closed. Notice the lack of any traffic in the photo below. The large yellow arch is the actual border looking from Iraq into Syria. Compare how empty that is with the number of trucks lined up to cross the border in the first picture.
After spending about 30 minutes on the ground, we went back inside COP Heider, used the latrine, drank some GatorAde, and got ready to head home. We discussed the project with LTC Preskitt, the US Army Officer who runs the POE Transition Team (POETT). The POETT is a group of US Army personnel who advise the Iraqi Army unit responsible for running the POE. Unfortunately, the project is currently on hold while the Iraqi commander of the POE tries to get more funding to increase the scope of the construction project. After that discussion, we had the fun of another 2 hour drive in the REVAs to get home.
I have a dream. In this dream a construction project goes smoothly from start to finish.
Hi
Different prople have asked me if the blog will continue when you are re-assigned. It has become if not a daily, a weekly “fix” for us all. We not only get to stay in touch with family but also friends like Sherri and Jewels.
I have to say that future posts entitled “At the Maryland-Virginia border” may not draw quite the crowd as this one. Tech Support will most likely make the decision when he is no longer outsourced to Iraq. However, the inclination of Tech Support is that he always wants to upgrade to something new. Luckily for me, he has not upgraded his Editor.
With my tendency to just drive, the post might actually be entitled “Why are We Crossing into Delaware?” I’m sure everyone will be interested in future blog posts concerning my daily commute to the Pentagon.
Speaking of upgrading, did you notice the new collapsible Archives in the sidebar? I found a great widget for that today.
I’m just glad the Editor is happy with the service provided by Tech Support!
What trucks? What first picture?
Brian, there are 3 images embedded in the post. You can click on each image to see a larger version.
The first image is an export from Google Earth. The left-hand side of the image is Syria, and the right-hand side is Iraq. In the center of the image, there is a large queue of trucks waiting to cross from Syria into Iraq. Slightly below center, there is a parking lot full of trucks that have already crossed into Iraq and are waiting to be processed through customs/immigration.
Thanks for posting photos that depict our security posture… oh… the satellite one is great too. Posting the name of individuals and the units providing security is a favorite of mine. These should be great for the enemy. Have you ever heard about information security? Don’t make it easier for our enemy to get information! Are you a complete idiot, or is that just a part time job?
@Concerned:
1. I never release anything on this website that hasn’t already been released to the public by official Army sources. Check out pages 8 & 9 of this official publication – http://www.dvidshub.net/pub_show.php?id=2068
2. The photos posted are of a public area. There are no photos depicting any aspect of our security posture.
3. Every posting on this blog is in complete compliance with all OPSEC regulations.
4. According to my wife, being an idiot is just one of my hobbies, I don’t actually get paid for it.
Dear concerned
Are you one of those Americans who think we only have access to sites like google. You are one of those ninnies that don’t have anything to do but criticize, you must be a Republican. There are no OPSEC violations it’s all puiblic information If you don’t like the blog go somewhere else Mr. Cheney.
Dear Ralph: During World War II the cities and towns of America were pasted with a poster of a burning battleship with the caption “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” I believe that poster had the same intent as Concerned. They convey the idea that civilians and service members alike have a duty to organize and disseminate sensitive information in a way that makes it more difficult for the No Goodniks to harm our fighting men and women, not easier, the niceties of OPSEC regs notwithstanding.
If Concerned is who I believe her to be, she is either a moderate Republican or moderate Democrat, though I really don’t know which. However, she does have an intense and personal desire that no combat wounded soldier arrive at Walter Reed without a very good reason.
It’s Very Interesting Article And I have Enjoyed Reading it , I’m From Iraq And I can tell you that that 90% from this info is true . The Station is hard in Iraq now and as you know we had election not long ago and we all wish everything will be find soon .
Thank you for this articleI am happy to part with you, I think that everything in the way of change and certainly I see things from the other side, we reflect on good Can I change the font color