Photo By Sgt. Adrian Muehe | Capt. Rachel Villacorta-Lyew of Morgan Hill, Calif., and the 296th Brigade Support...... read more read more
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DIYALA, Iraq —Located six kilometers west of the Iranian border is a small village of Al-Hamid where running waters is impossible to find and access to electricity is far and few in between. During the months when livestock are able to graze here, approximately 200 people live in this community. With limited resources their town is able to operate a small clinic, but restocking medical supplies requires a lengthy trip to Balad Ruz over 100 kilometers away.
Soldiers from Charlie Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment, attached to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, along with U.S. Army medics and doctors and their Iraqi Army counterparts in the 2nd Border Region Quick Reaction Force, provided medicine and medical assistance to the people of this village during a medical civil action program on June 1.
"This is a very rural area," said Hussein, commander of 2nd QRF Battalion. "They don't have much out there, and it's good to get out there and help these people."
When U.S. Forces arrived at the village, the IA had already searched the clinic and the surrounding buildings, ensuring the facilities were safe enough to allow for the medical mission to occur.
Meanwhile, an eager crowd had gathered in the courtyard to await medical care.
As U.S. Forces established an entry control point, the Iraqi soldiers cordoned off an area to search men, women and bags before allowing them to enter the clinic.
"They really took charge of the situation," said Capt. Andrew Marsh, of Port Republic, Va., and commander of Charlie Co., 52nd Inf. "We could not have done this without them."
While people waited outside, medics and doctors from both 296th Brigade Support Battalion, and 5/20 Inf., both of 3 SBCT, 2nd ID, set up shop inside the local clinic which is usually ran by one doctor. It is comprised of four rooms connected by a shallow hallway amid walls lined with medical diagrams ripped straight from medical textbooks.
Combat medics screened the patients outside before sending them in to see the doctors to receive a diagnosis and obtain medicine and care for their ailments. Patients ranged in variety from a small girl with a broken leg to an elderly man in a makeshift wheel chair, but all were seen and given the same attentive care.
"We saw at least 200 people come through here today," said 2nd Lt. John Hutchison, a platoon leader for Charlie Co., 52nd Inf. "Everyone was treated and screened. Today was success, we had no problems and everyone walked away with a smile."
In addition to receiving medical care, the locals also got to interact with Iraqi soldiers, which is a rarity for them because nothing ever disturbs this quaint little town. As they waited in line for the MEDCAP, the soldiers conversed with locals about problems they have been encountering.
"There is nothing here, only desert all around between here and Iran," said Mohammed, a company commander for the 2nd QRF. "It was beautiful to come here to see these people, give them medicine, and help them out together [with U.S. Forces]."
Even though Arrowhead Soldiers played an important role in this medical operation, their leaders observed and noted the growing capabilities and resources the local Iraqi Security Forces have developed.
"I'm very glad that our [IA] partners are doing such an outstanding job," said Hutchison of the 2nd QRFs security. "They could have easily pulled this off without us being here."
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2010 07:25 |
| Story ID: | 50909 |
| Location: | DIYALA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 283 |
| Downloads: | 219 |
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