Iraqi Police deliver school supplies to three local elementary schools

Courtesy Photo | Little girls line up at the Bajawan Elementary School in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 28 as part of an Operation Provide School Supplies visit that delivered 210 student and 15 teacher packets to the school. (Photo submitted by Task Force 2-116 Armor)  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

10.05.2005

Courtesy Story

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FOB WARRIOR, Iraq -- Iraqi police officers and coalition soldiers distributed over 600 student packets and 46 teacher packages to three Kirkuk-area elementary schools Sept. 28 as part of Operation Provide School Supplies (OPSS).

Iraqi Police from the Yaychi and Arapha stations and 116th Brigade Combat Team soldiers from Headquarters Platoon, E Troop, Task Force 2-116 Armor delivered the supplies during morning visits to the Al-Awa, Bajawan and Erwa Bin Alward Elementary Schools.

"The police officers enjoyed this opportunity to interact with the children," said Staff Sgt. Jerry Losing, an E Troop soldier who helped with the deliveries. "The children were well behaved and appreciative. The teachers seemed very appreciative also."

OPSS items are donated and shipped to Iraq by individuals and organizations in the United States. Once the supplies arrive in Iraq, coalition soldiers package them into standard packages and deliver them to local authorities for distribution. A typical student package contains color markers or pencils, crayons, pencils, pens, a ruler, scissors, an eraser, a pencil sharpener, glue, writing paper, construction paper, and a coloring book. Teacher packets include a larger quantity supplies and teacher-specific items like highlighters, staplers and red pens.

Through the OPSS program the 116th BCT is providing needed supplies to teachers and students and is also helping local Iraqi security forces gain the trust and confidence of citizens. The unit's mission in Kirkuk Province includes supporting and training Iraqi security forces, assisting Iraq's new government, supporting economic development and facilitating communications.

The 116th BCT is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2005
• Date Posted: 10.05.2005 15:41
• Story ID: 3194
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ