Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Staff Sgt. Victor Rae, police transition team representative for the 49th Military...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Just days before Iraq's national election, Staff Sgt. Victor Rae drove to this camp's version of Home Depot and shopped around for necessities.
OK, the warehouse wasn't comparable to — or even closely resembled -- the popular home improvement outlet. But to Rae and his Police Transition Team from the 49th Military Police Brigade, it was just as good.
In it, he found unused equipment. And right then, Rae knew of a better use.
"I know this is what the Iraqi police need. They don't have it," he said, referring to civil disturbance gear that was sitting untouched in this remote warehouse. "It's surplus riot gear that we use to train our military police. We've moved on. We have more advanced gear now. So we're going to give this to our partners, the Iraqi police."
More than 700 pounds of batons, helmets, shields and body padding were delivered to a section of Baghdad's Provincial Directorate of Police headquarters. Iraqi policemen met Rae and the 49th's security team just outside of Camp Liberty, where the equipment was transferred to two Iraqi vehicles. Soldiers and Iraqi officers helped each other move the gear.
A trailer attached to this 20-foot container-sized truck included hundreds of rolls of police barrier tape. The Iraqis unloaded these as well.
This is one of several benefits that the 49th has done in its Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment that began in October, said Sgt. 1st Class Arne Eastlund, the 49th's PTT noncommissioned officer in charge. To its best abilities, the PTT has provided Iraqi police with training, training facilities, equipment and other necessities for their operations.
"Right now the Iraqi Police have the toughest job in Iraq, if not the world," Eastlund said. "There is a lot relying on them to stabilize their country. We're doing our best to help them accomplish that."
This was an opportune time to receive civil disturbance equipment, Rae said. Days later, the Iraq national election was held. Iraq's security forces were on alert for possible rioting and outbreaks. Iraqi policemen will have the gear available if needed, Rae explained.
"Now is the right time for us to help our partners out in this area," he added. "Our partners need this kind of gear. They don't have it available to them. It takes a large amount of time for them to receive this type of equipment."
Rae added, "It just didn't make sense to have this equipment sitting in a warehouse when it can be of good use. They probably would have sat there for a long time or would have been thrown away. And it was a win-win situation overall. They were glad to get it out of the warehouse, and the Iraqis were glad to receive them."
While loading, an Iraqi policeman picked up a helmet and tried it on. His partners applauded when the officer gave a thumb's up sign.
"Thank you, thank you," he said in broken English. "Thank you America."
"They're very appreciative. You can tell this was something they can use because they just don't have enough," said Rae. "I think it's great we can provide them some protection. Majority of these guys have families. And they do have a tough job. They need our help and we're doing the best we can."
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2010 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 47132 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 269 |
| Downloads: | 211 |
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