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Mobile Security Det 31 Works with Iraqi Marines on Oil Terminals

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051123-06
Release Date: 11/23/2005 10:15:00 AM

By Photographer's Mate 1st Class Curt Cooper, Commander, Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

AL BASRA OIL TERMINAL, Persian Gulf (NNS) -- Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) 31 relieved the Norfolk, Va.,-based MSD 25 on the Al Basra (ABOT) and Khwar Al Amaya (KAAOT) oil terminals in the Persian Gulf in early November, continuing the U.S. and coalition commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region by working with Iraqi marines on the oil terminals.

In an interview Nov. 20, the Officer in Charge of MSD 31, Lt. Garth Kaliczak, said his most important mission during his unit’s tour is the security of Iraq’s two oil terminals in the Persian Gulf.

"Without these platforms, [the Iraqis] would not be able to fund much of the reconstruction they are doing right now, and without this oil income, there is definitely lack of resources for them to get started on the things they need to do,” said Kaliczak. “Being a part of this is probably one of the most important things I've ever done in my life. Helping in the rebuilding and reconstitution of a nation is probably the most rewarding thing I'll ever do.”

ABOT and KAAOT account for a significant percentage of Iraq's revenue and play a vital role in the rebuilding process.

MSD 31, based in San Diego, serves a dual role on the oil platforms. They are charged not only with the security of Iraq’s oil terminals, but they are also training their Iraqi counterparts to provide security for the oil platforms.

According to Chief Hospital Corpsman Kenneth Puckett, platform leading chief petty officer and a Clarksville, Tenn., native, the Iraqi military is benefiting from the training received from the Sailors of MSD 31.

“We have been on this platform for a while now, and we've pretty much been running [security] and been responsible for it,” said Puckett. “Once the Iraqis start standing the post on their own, I think they will discover more of a sense of ownership [of security]. Out here we run some high-speed, up-tempo drills, and we also do evaluations on the Iraqi [marines] to ensure that they are picking up the proper techniques and standards and they are able execute those concepts,” he added.

MSD 31 is part of Combined Task Force 58, a multinational coalition led by Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams, responsible for conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.

MSO seek to preserve the free and secure use of the world’s oceans by legitimate mariners, and prevent terrorists from attempting to use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a medium to transport personnel, weapons or other illicit material.