Protecting oil platforms

NORTH ARABIAN GULF — Majed is ready to take control of his country's economic future.

The 22-year-old Iraqi has been training side by side with American sailors for the past year at the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT), one of two major platforms in the region. Every day Majed learns from sailors like Utah native Shane Johnson so he and other Iraqi marines can eventually take control of the security operations on the oil platform that serves as the economic lifeblood of the country.

The Iraqi marines recently took over responsibility for the security of the Kwahr Abd Allah Oil Terminal, and Majed said he awaits the day when his country won't need the American sailors' help any longer on the ABOT. The oil platforms are key to the redevelopment of Iraq, as they provide 85 percent of the total gross domestic product.

"We got very good training, and God willing, we can protect this plat from any illegal things," said Majed, who declined to give his last name for security reasons. If some people in his country knew Majed was working with coalition forces, they might try to harm him or his family, he said through a translator.

Navy SEALs took control of the oil platforms during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now, approximately 30 to 40 Iraqi marines train at ABOT at any given time, said Lt. Garth Kaliczak, the officer-in-charge of Mobile Security Detachment 31.

Working with the Iraqis has been both a challenge and rewarding experience for Johnson, a Mt. Pleasant native who graduated from North Sanpete High School in 2001. Johnson stands next to the Iraqis on watch duty for ships that wander too close to the oil platforms. He also evaluates their progress and reports back to his superiors.

The language barrier can be impossible at times, so hand signals are often the only way to communicate. Johnson has been on the oil platform since October, however, and is trying to learn a bit of Arabic from the Iraqi Marines.

"We communicate the best we can to get the job done," Johnson said. "It was difficult at first, but it's getting easier.

"They watch what we do and then kind of follow what we do."

The Iraqi government hired two private contractors to translate on the platform.

Sailors like Johnson are constantly evaluating the Iraqis' progress, and often train together on how to react to security threats.