Iraqi youth receive aid, give smiles
Sgt. Coltin Heller, 109th MPAD
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - "I'm very thankful for all the clothes and blankets," said Saife, an Iraqi teen who received several blankets and a new pair of shoes handed out by Iraqi jinood assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 48th Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, at a humanitarian event in Tikrit, Iraq, April 7.
PICTURED: An Iraqi child receives help opening his shoebox from an Iraqi soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 48th Brigade 4th Iraqi Army Division during a humanitarian event in Tikrit, Iraq, April 7, 2011. Fifty children received clothes, blankets and shoes provided by Civil Affairs section, 4th Infantry Division, and handed out during the event by IA soldiers in an effort to bolster confidence and support for IA units operating in local communities in Tikrit.
"The humanitarian assistance originated from division and the Civil Affairs section," Staff Sgt. Bobby Ogan, civil affairs noncommissioned officer, assigned to Company A, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division.
Civil affairs serves as a bridge between Iraqi civilians and U.S. forces, informing commanders on the status of local populations, as well as assisting those populations by coordinating infrastructure renewal projects and delivering supplies and aid, such as clothing and blankets.
"We purchased $350,000 worth of supplies, from clothing and jackets to blankets and shoes," said Ogan. "After the stuff was ordered, I tracked it, distributed it to the brigades to support the IA."
The 2nd AAB, one of the brigades in U.S. Division-North to receive the supplies, began planning the event between 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. "Wolfhound" Soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts in January.
"I met with (Soldiers) several times and they totally supported the idea of the IA being in the lead," said Ogan, a native of Days Creek, Ore. "The IA did all the planning, we just furnished the supplies," he added.
Wolfhound Soldiers linked up with the jinood outside of Contingency Operating Base Speicher, transferring the seasonal wear and blankets to two large IA vehicles to be taken to the police station.
"Even though the humanitarian aid was from division, we can use it to generate support from the area," said Aebischer, who hails from Barnegat, N.J. "If the people see the IA bring the aide, the people can identify with that and it empowers the IA."
It's a good thing that the people see (the IA) bring the supplies, as this shows the people that their forces can help the local communities, said Aebischer.
Fifty Iraqi children gathered around as the IA soldiers unloaded all the brightly colored blankets and brand-new shoes before passing them out to the children, who toted their gifts away beaming from ear to ear.
"We hoped for over 100 kids, but this was still a good turn out," said Aebischer. "I'm confident all this stuff is going to a good place."
A large portion of the aid remained after the event as fewer children than anticipated showed. IA soldiers reloaded the gear, taking the gifts down the road to an orphanage to pass out the remaining shoes and clothes.
"We hope, due to missions like this, security will increase and (the Iraqi people) will know the IA can support them and maintain their safety," concluded Aebischer.
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