Defending The Defenders

As the Iraq War continues to be a hot topic of debate, many within the U.S. armed forces find themselves defending the United States’ presence in the country, while praising the work troops are doing.

In two informative sessions at ASIS titled “Military Policy and Security Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq,” officials from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy explained the various roles of each military branch in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Wednesday’s session, U.S. Army Col. Eugene Smith discussed the dedication of the Army forces in Iraq. Currently, there are approximately 267,000 Army troops there, and most military police units have experienced three or more rounds in Iraq. In what Smith called a “new type of war,” Army military police have found themselves completing new tasks they have never before encountered.

”We learned this since we went through 9/11. Usually, military police duties include guarding sites, escorting convoys and moving supplies,” he said. “That part of the operation lasted a very brief moment. Then we were on to security.”

Today, military police in Iraq and Afghanistan more frequently serve law enforcement and detaining roles -- with a more intense focus on security than in any other war.

“In this kind of war, those special skills are what make us unique,” he said.

Smith also explained what future roles the military police should expect. These include strategic oversight, training, expertise and other “technical things [Iraqi police] haven’t developed yet.”

In fact, Smith stressed, people should expect Army military police to have a long-lasting presence in Iraq in order to fully prepare the local forces for running the country on their own.

“This is going to be a long-term effort,” he said. “This is something we’re going to have to be involved in, and [learning in] eight to nine months is unlikely. Ten years is more like it.”

About the Author

Megan Weadock is a communications specialist at Monitronics.

Featured

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.