Report from Sgt. 1st Class Paul Brent, at Abu Grhaib on 11/21/03

Stumbled onto this report, while I was roaming around the internet. Seems like Sgt. 1C Brent believes the Iraqis are governed by coalition governing laws. I wonder if these laws also apply to the private contractors, since Military Law and US Law doesn't seem to apply?

Also a few more details about who in charge of who. Some interesting stuff here.


http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:WrG17RqPN-sJ:www.riley.army.mil/view/document.asp%3Fid%3D653-2003-11-21-51787-41+abu+grhaib&hl=en



Nov. 21, 2003
Christie Vanover, Community Relations/Deputy Media Relations Officer


FIELD ARTILLERY UNIT WORKING WITH POWS

4th Bn., 1st FA Release

On the dawn of another morning, Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery prepare for another day to provide, protect and assist in the rebuilding of Baghdad, Iraq.

Under the command of Lt. Col. Richard F. Bowyer and Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Savitski, the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 27. After the battalion arrived in Kuwait, they were in-processed at Camp Wolf and headed to Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait.

<snip>

According to Sgt. 1st Class Paul Brent, 4th Bn., 1st FA, once the battalion arrived in Iraq, the mission was received and delivered to every Soldier. He said the battalion supported numerous, dangerous missions that were directed from V Corp, 1st Armored Division, and 3rd BCT.

Brent said that Service Battery, 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery is a unit that is instrumental in providing security, placement of barriers and detaining Prisoners of War and Iraqi civilians who violate coalition governing laws. The battery is led by Capt. Robert J. Smith.

Brent said countless soldiers have worked tireless hours placing barriers at many of the traffic control points, which were strategically placed enabling the unit and other units to search and seize any illegal weapons used against coalition forces.

<snip>

With the hostility that is plaguing coalition forces, Brent said the unit provided a team to assist the brigade in detaining POWs and those who violate laws provided by coalition forces. Brent led the team as the detention noncommissioned officer in charge, expediting prisoners to the appropriate detention facilities.

Brent said his duties included furnishing a detention cell for the detainees, protecting, guarding and transporting and completing proper documents for transfer. He said the team is authorized to search, segregate, separate, seize, keep the detainees silent and speed the detainees to the appropriate detention facility.

Brent said his team quickly adapted to the mission that was given and learned each and every procedure to assist the battalion to adjudicate the detainees within the Judge Advocate General system.

He said the detention team was involved in several raids that were directed from V Corps and the division. He said the capture of the four of diamonds and king of diamonds on the United States? 55 most wanted list was due to the quick reaction on these missions.

Brent said his team has detained over 555 detainees, including many Ba?ath Party members. These detainees were processed and transported to the proper facility within the prescribed time.

He said his team has successfully transported detainees from the battalion detention cell to 1st Battalion, 13th Armor, Camp Cropper and the Division Interrogation Facility. His team also transported detainees to Abu Grhaib, which is considered a hostile environment.