FOB LOYALTY, Iraq – Two Soldiers from the 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, assist a man on crutches during a medical operation in the Shaab and Ur neighborhoods of east Baghdad September 30. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul David Ondik, 506th RCT, 101st Abn. Div.)
IA, 506th RCT conduct medical operations in east Baghdad
By Pfc. Paul David Ondik, 506th RCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.
FOB LOYALTY, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers working together with elements of the 9th Iraqi Army Division and local Iraqi leadership, conducted a medical operation and provided humanitarian assistance to residents in the Shaab and Ur neighborhoods of east Baghdad September 30.
For the Soldiers of 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, and Troop A, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry, of the 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, participating in the project, the operation was an opportunity to interact on a personnel level with the people they were deployed to help. The medical operations have provided medical screenings and treatment to more than 2,000 Iraqi patients.
“This is our fifth of a total of six operations that were planned, and they’re getting better,” said Capt. Brian Wilson, medical operations planner, 414th CA Bn. “Each time we’re seeing more patients. The Iraqi army is stepping up a little more each time.”
FOB LOYALTY, Iraq – Spc. Allison Lancewicz, military intelligence analyst, 506th Regimental Combat Team, plays ball with an Iraqi child during a medical operation in the Shaab and Ur neighborhoods of east Baghdad September 30. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul David Ondik, 506th RCT, 101st Abn. Div.)
“So far we’ve just been trying to get clothes together to get out to the folks who need it,” added Spc. Allison Lancewicz, a military intelligence analyst, serving with the 506th RCT. “I love working with little kids. This is the best job.”
After patients were assessed and treated by Iraqi and American personnel, they were provided an opportunity to pick up clothes and supplies for the new school year. The items were donated by concerned civilians back in the United States.
“Everybody’s excited about getting some new clothes for school,” said Wilson. “It’s the beginning of the school year, so we’re giving each parent the choice of three things per child.”
The operation is intended to serve as a template for future operations, with the Iraqi army conducting them independently of MND-B Forces.
“The idea of this is to help Iraqis learn so they can do it on their own. That is the whole point behind it,” Wilson said.
Our troops will always win the “hearts and mind” of kids, abd vice versa. Maybe these actions will actually put a dent in the mind numbing shit the mullahs preach.
I sincerely hope these gestures change the hatred that is fed into the population by the Mullahs toward the U. S. and all Westerners. I fear reprisals against those Iraqi’s who participated like the ones carried out by the VC when the local peasants received treatment by U.S. troops. God bless them for the effort and their humanitarian aid.
Tom it breaks my heart how our media won’t show these things our troops are doing. I could have post after post about all the building they do and the kind and caring things like you said.
Jack I agree, God bless them they are doing such kind things for the children and the adults.
Wild Thing,
You do have post after post about the positive things our troops are doing. Keep it up. There are people that see these things, because of you.
Billy
Thank you so much Billy.