Moving detainees: daunting task is just another day for Wisconsin Guard troops in southern Iraq

By Spc. Tyler Lasure
32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

CAMP BUCCA, Iraq - Moving several hundred detainees across Iraq is a daunting task, but for two Wisconsin Army National Guard companies it's just another day.

The two companies, Janesville's Company A, 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, and Fond du Lac's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, stationed at Camp Bucca, in southern Iraq, are responsible for transferring detainees from Bucca to theater internment facilities further north. These movements are part of the consolidation of TIFs and the eventual turnover of operations to the government of Iraq. Once detainees are transferred they either continue serving their sentences or are released.

"It's basically transferring the detainees from one base to another, so it [reduces] the footprint in the southeastern area of Iraq," said Capt. Anthony Klemme, Green Bay, commander of Company C, 2-127 Infantry, and a truck commander on the transfer missions. "The number of detainees in Iraq has dropped from an all-time high in the 20,000 range down to less than 12,000."

The days are long and require a lot of work for both companies. Alpha 132 is responsible for out-processing detainees and getting them to the transport, while Charlie 127 provides security for convoys.

Starting early in the morning, troops from Alpha Company watch over the detainees, making sure everything goes smoothly: processing paperwork, feeding detainees, escorting them to latrines, making sure they have plenty of water while they wait in the desert heat, and quelling any problems that may arise.

The soldiers make sure the detainees are under control and that they are treated with respect, said Staff Sgt. Anthony Masseur, Beloit. "They follow the three C's: care, custody, and control."

When the detainees are finally loaded onto buses at the end of the day, Charlie Company takes charge.

The desert sun is already setting when soldiers perform the last pre-combat checks on their Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles. They shovel down a meal, load their weapons and roll out. It is going to be a long night, and everything needs to go right.

Charlie Company provides security for the convoy from Bucca to a military flight line. Attacks on the convoy aren't the only thing these soldiers need to prepare for; should a disturbance occur on a busload of detainees, the soldiers would be required to restore order.

The soldiers pull security until the plane reaches its destination safely. While they wait, soldiers stretch their legs, read, or take in the quiet of the desert night. This is an opportunity to get a little peace and quiet in a hectic environment.

As the sun rises over the desert the next morning, the soldiers return to camp and begin preparing for their next mission.

With the number of detainees held at Bucca dropping and transfers from Bucca happening often, these soldiers are essentially working themselves out of a job. Klemme sees other opportunities for his company after all the detainees are transferred, "I think once we're done with this mission we will pick up other missions and help out with the other companies."

Handling and guarding detainees is an important mission. "It is a very high profile mission, you get all the glory when good things are said, but when we screw up it's coming from high levels too," Klemme said.

As soldiers from these two Wisconsin units drive on with their mission they know they are helping the Iraqi people.

Spc. Andrew Alexander, Fond du Lac, a gunner on one of Charlie Company's MRAPs, is looking beyond his time here. "I find it rewarding that after we leave this country the people will have a sense of freedom."