Providers conduct advanced anti-terrorism training

By 13th Sustainment Command Expeditionary Public AffairsJanuary 20, 2010

Providers conduct advanced anti-terrorism training
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Albert Warren Fielding, a physical security specialist with Naval Criminal Investigative Services and an anti-terrorism level two instructor, discusses force protection measures with Staff Sgt. Alfred Salazar, a force protection noncommissioned offic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Providers conduct advanced anti-terrorism training
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commander of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), presents a commander's coin as a token of appreciation to Albert Warren Fielding, a physical security specialist with Naval Criminal Investigative Services and an an... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Soldiers with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) participated in anti-terrorism level two training at the education center Jan. 10 to Jan. 15 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

This marks the first time level two training was offered to Soldiers in Iraq since the global war on terror started, said Staff Sgt. Alfred Salazar, force protection noncommissioned officer, with the 13th ESC.

"There was a need for in-country (anti-terrorism officers), a request came up through the chain of command and we came here to provide instruction and assist various commands in providing anti-terrorism officer training to in-theater units," said Albert Warren Fielding, a physical security specialist with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services and an anti-terrorism instructor.

This class is offered to anti-terrorism officers, with three days of classroom instruction, two days of practical exercise and an exam, Salazar said.

"The course is designed to teach AT officers what they need to know to perform their duties, as well as other students taking the course who may not be in ATO positions who have a need to know some of the things the ATO does," Salazar said.

Force protection and anti-terrorism are important parts of everyday life for all deployed Soldiers, said 1st Lt. Richelle Gibson, force protection officer in charge, with the 13th ESC.

Anti-terrorism officers identify vulnerabilities, critical assets and any terrorism threats, Gibson said.

Scanners at the gates, and the placement of the Soldiers and tower guards are critical force protection issues addressed in the class, she said.

"I learned a lot more about what was behind the scenes of keeping this base safe and other bases, what most people take for granted," Gibson said.

She said units are required to appoint an ATO for every 300 Soldiers assigned above the company level and one ATO for every 50 Soldiers at the company level.

"I think you get a lot of people from different branches and (military occupational specialties) who get tagged with an additional duty of ATO and they don't know what it means, they have no idea what it entails," she said. "They know how to fly a plane or how to track personnel. This was one place where we could put all the branches on one page and give them a general understanding of what it really entails."

Fielding said the key to force protection is vigilance.

"The terrorists are always thinking of ways to attack us," said Fielding. "Our goal is to stay one step ahead of them and be correct 100 percent of the time, because they only have to be correct once."