Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy | Residents of the Al Furat section of Baghdad unload food, cooking oil and other...... read more read more
by Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy
58th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – The convoy headed out in the early morning stillness, the sun just peaking over the top of the tan Earth and tan buildings in the distance. Diesel engines grumbled and growled under the strain of both armor and cargo as the Soldiers in the trucks, which included a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) as well as many of the ubiquitous Humvees, rolled out the gate of Camp Slayer, Iraq, and into the Baghdad morning.
For the Soldiers, this was more than a simple patrol through the Al Furat section of the city; a section where during their 10 months in-country they have logged mile upon mile in patrols both mounted and dismounted; a section where they have gotten to know the local leaders and the residents; a section where they know each road as if it were a street in their hometown.
For the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, this patrol was one that would allow them to help stabilize their part of Iraq. The Soldiers of the unit have been working with local leaders to establish a local, community-based government as well as deliver food and other supplies to allow the local leaders to assist with alleviating the problems and issues faced by the residents of the area.
As a way to help accomplish this, as well as build ties within the community, the Soldiers have arranged for a number of humanitarian aid drops where they deliver food, cooking oil, blankets and other items to the Al Furat City Council. From there the city council will deliver the items to the families within the area who are most in need of assistance.
"When I first became elected I made promises to help my people," said Ahmed Selman Abbas, chairman of the Al Furat City Council. "So I feel that my promises came true."
And helping to fulfill those promises is part of the unit's mission to help provide a safe and secure environment as well as building a relationship with those who live in the area.
"All of this is intended to build relations," said Lt. Col. John Luttrell, battalion commander. "So they see a good face on the coalition forces, at the same time setting the Iraqi people and the local government up for success."
And both the city council and the Soldiers worked together to bring about this particular aid drop, which contained food and other supplies for roughly 600 families.
"That's why we deal with the Furat City Council," said Luttrell. "That's why this was done at the Furat City Council building with the Furat City Council chairman and his members to help organize this so they see a joint relationship in this project."
The recent aid drop was one of two large aid drops the unit has done in the area since first planning the aid missions in January. However, they have done many smaller aid drops.
"We've done several missions like this," said Sgt. Brad Vandy, a supply specialist with the unit. "(We delivered) either construction supplies, school supplies or food supplies."
By bringing in food and construction supplies it allows the Soldiers to help provide a safe environment in ways without going on the offense and kicking in doors.
"We're making a difference," said Spc. Kelly Sexton, a chaplain's assistant with the unit. "Today we kind of had a two-fold mission. The way I saw it, we had food and we also brought supplies. So, we were feeding the locals but we're also equipping them and encouraging them to take control and take matters to better themselves. We've helped them become more efficient and more effective to govern their affairs at their level.
The Soldiers also benefit from the exchange as well.
"It's a good feeling to give someone a leg to stand on," said Sexton. "It's a good feeling to give them help."
But there are other benefits as well.
"Talking with the locals, I've learned a little bit about the culture, the Islamic culture, the Islamic ways," said Sexton.
While many feel the missions are successful, for one Soldier, for whom success could be summed up in one experience.
"The school drop when we took school supplies," said Vandy, referring to his favorite moment delivering supplies. "When you see all of the little kids getting new pens and new paper and you see all the smiles on their faces, that shows it's a success to me."
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2007 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 11898 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 614 |
| Downloads: | 585 |
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