April 10,
2008: One major accomplishment in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the tight
security of U.S. bases. There have been only a handful of security breaches
(suicide bomber getting inside). This saves lives, and also provides the troops
inside these bases with a respite from all the violence outside. This is great
for morale, and helps reduce combat fatigue.
Such
effective levels of base protection were achieved through a combination of
technology, technique and sheer manpower. The technology includes lots of
security cameras, including those in UAVs and balloons (which serve as 24/7
UAVs). There are also many concrete and earthen (large plastic containers
filled with dirt) blast barriers.
Technique
consists of well thought out procedures for where to point the cameras, station
the troops on guard duty, and for examining people and vehicles entering the
base. Manpower, to watch the cameras, man the guard posts and stand by for
emergencies, is obtained from several sources. For non-combat troops (those who
don't go outside the wire to fight) on the base, there is lots of guard duty, in addition, or in place of, their
regular job. Even some combat units get involved in this, particularly
artillery units. There's not a lot of call for artillery fire, so the
artillerymen have time available for security duties. In addition, there are
civilian contractors (from all over the world) and additional U.S. troops
assigned to security duties.
The
security is so tight that the enemy rarely even try to breach it. Rockets and
mortar shells are fired into some bases, but the American security forces often
figure out ways to nail the enemy troops carrying out those attacks, and get
them first.
