Iraqi security forces, Spartan Soldiers link for soccer ball drop

Photo By Spc. Crystal M. Bradley | Spartan Commander, Col. Charles E. Sexton, passes out soccer balls during a joint humanitarian aid mission provided by Spartan Soldiers and Iraqi security forces, Dec. 11, in Mosul, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo taken by Pfc. Crystal M. O'Neal, 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID Public Affairs)  

MOSUL, IRAQ

12.11.2009

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Pfc. Crystal M. O'Neal

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq - A group of children huddled together, giving each other small pushes and shoves, as they tried to get to the front of the crowd. Their hands stretched upward, their eyes were wide and glistening with excitement, and their smiles were covering their entire faces. One child catches a soccer ball passed into the crowd.

Second Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers teamed with Iraqi security forces to deliver soccer balls to children in Mosul, Iraq, during a soccer ball drop, Dec. 11.

Command Sergeant Major Valmond A. Martin, 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID brigade command sergeant major, said visiting Mosul to hand out balls to the children was a top priority on the Spartans' agenda.

"We were definitely excited to come out today. It's always good to see smiling, happy children. Our Iraqi counterparts, the ISF, did a great job helping with security and making the event run smoothly," said the Martin. "In Iraq, soccer is one of the most popular sports so this is really big; a young kid with a soccer ball is the future."

To support the soccer ball drop, Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID drove light medium tactical vehicles loaded with boxes of soccer balls to the drop site.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Dubov, 3-7th Cavalry, 2nd HBCT said that the Soldiers were glad to help with the event.

"Doing these humanitarian-aid drops show the people of Iraq that Soldiers do really care and that we are making an honest effort to help them in every way that we are able to. The children loved us; they swarmed around us, smiling and happy, ready to get one of the soccer balls," said Dubov.

The first lieutenant also added that the ISF's professionalism and dedication also made the event a success.

"The Iraqi army and the Iraqi police were just great. They were extremely professional. They also showed that they were well-trained, providing security and stepping in to take charge whenever needed. These guys have definitely come a long way, and their progress shows that they will only continue to get better," said Dubov.

Spartan Commander, Col. Charles E. Sexton, was also able to tour the city of Mosul with the city's mayor, Zuhayr Muhsin, and head sheik of tribe Ao-Arajiy, Muhson Hushim Ao-Arajiy, who both helped Spartan Soldiers hand out the soccer balls to the children.

• Date Taken: 12.11.2009
• Date Posted: 12.14.2009 13:22
• Story ID: 42745
• Location: MOSUL, IQ