Pfc. Sheridon Niles, of Queens, N.Y., and Spc. Jeffery Barbosa, of Springville, Utah, of 1st Platoon, Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment conduct a night time hands on class to Iraqi forces from 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Brigade, Depar...

Spc. Matthew Voight, of Lubbock, Texas, 2nd Platoon,Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, works through an interpreter to instruct a class on dismounted patrolling techniques with Iraqi forces from the 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Brigade...

PATROL BASE MINDEN, Iraq- A troop of U.S. cavalry Soldiers is making a large impact on developing Iraqi border forces in southern Iraq.

The "Blackfoot" troop of 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment is advising and assisting the 9th Brigade of the Department of Border Enforcement to enhance its skills on patrolling and security operations through regular training events.

Some of the key points of the training are react to contact drills and setting up observation points, critical skills for a unit responsible for controlling what and who flows into and out of Iraq.

"The Department of Border Enforcement is a motivated organization eager to work with U.S. forces. Soldiers of the Department of Border Enforcement take great pride in defending the Iraq-Iran border and enduring the hardships of remote checkpoints in order to ensure national security," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Naylor Calif., a platoon sergeant with Blackfoot troop from Los Angeles.

Trainers from Troop B are selected based on knowledge and experience after collaboration between Department of Border Enforcement and 'Blackfoot' leadership.

Since July, the cavalrymen have trained two companies of the 9th Department of Border Enforcement Brigade and are scheduled to begin training a third company this month.

"Enhancing the skills of the 9th Brigade Department of Border Enforcement will enhance security in United States Division-South and ultimately all of Iraq," said 1st Lt. Thomas Jones, a fire support officer with Troop B, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt. from Alexander City, Ala. "We look forward to continuing training. Our actions directly affect the citizens of the Basra Province."

(1LT John Nikiforakis serves with the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, operating in southern Iraq under the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters and United States Division-South.)