T-Wall Iraq

A Bremer wall is a twelve-foot-high (3.7 m) portable, steel-reinforced concrete wall of the type used for blast protection throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. The name is believed to have originated from L. Paul Bremer of the Coalition Provisional Authority, who was the Director of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for post-war Iraq following the Iraq War of 2003 in the early years of the Iraq War.^[1]

The Bremer barrier resembles the smaller 3-foot (1 m) tall Jersey barrier, which is used widely for vehicle traffic control on coalition military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. To indicate that the Bremer barrier is similar but larger, the 12-foot (3.7 m) tall intermediate-sized Bremer barriers are usually referred to as Texas barriers (but not to be confused with the 3½ foot (1.1 m) Texas constant slope barrier). By this same naming convention, the largest barriers, which stand around 6 metres (20 ft) tall, are called Alaska Barriers. Unlike the Jersey barrier which has sloped-sides at the base, the Texas and Alaska barriers have a rectangular ledge (usable as a bench for sitting or resting) which is approximately knee high for a typical adult.

Alaska barriers are typically used as perimeter fortifications of well-established bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.^[2]

 

These T-shaped walls were originally developed by the Israelis in the Israeli West Bank barrier. The term "T-wall" is commonly used by soldiers throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, due to their cross-sectional shape resembling an inverted letter T. Article taken from Wikipedia

 Now it became sort of a souvenir for anyone who had spent some time in Iraq. It's a must have item prior to leaving Iraq.

 Normally T-Walls are deployed around the housing facilities or the whole camp to protect from incoming mortars and rockets.

With Ding Marasigan - VBC Baghdad

yeah that's a beer but it's non alcoholic . . . cheers!

New Iraqi Government Immigration Enforcement

Before I get bombarded with emails wanting to know why I changed the R&R Policy make sure you read this and inform your personnel that I did not change or decide to enforce Iraqi Immigration Laws.

This is the latest information we receive regarding the implementation of a new policy at Sather Airbase.

The Iraqi government has decided to start enforcing their own laws. If anyone has a problem with the way the Iraqi National Government is enforcing their own laws they may contact the Iraqi Government and address their concerns to the Iraqi Government.

This Change in the Enforcement of Iraqi Immigrating Law will only affect those who plan on taking a Gryphon Flight and/or COMMERCIAL Flight in and out of Iraq.

Those who use Military Air Lift will not be affected.
Iraqi Customs/Immigrations has begun strictly enforcing new regulations that you need to be aware of.

1. CAC cards, LOAs and passports will no longer suffice for entry into Iraq via commercial carrier or Gryphon Air (starting March 2010). Employees without a valid multi entry/exit residency visa MUST first obtain an ENTRANCE visa from one of the Iraqi Consulates in the U.S. prior to travel. The process if free but the turn around time is 3-4 weeks. The employee’s passport must be submitted with the visa request. This will have an impact on personnel coming into country that do not already possess a valid residency visa. The Iraqi Embassy website should have details on how to accomplish this.

2. Employees departing Iraq must now have an exit stamp. These are obtained at the MOI Residency Office in Baghdad, but at the time of this email there is a requirement to have an HIV test conducted by an Iraqi hospitals designated by Customs and Immigration. I have been told there are travel expeditors that will supply the exit stamp for a fee (usually ranging from $100-$150) without the HIV test – SG Travel at VBC. However I cannot confirm this.

**Note – the HIV test requirement for exit from Iraq is new and is not enforced systematically yet.

As I get more information I will keep you informed.