1st Sustainment Brigade

Story by Maj. Terry Hayes

By Chaplain (Maj.) Terry Hayes
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Most people like to help, especially when it comes to helping others a little less fortunate. A number of individuals and organizations in the United States had that opportunity recently when 300 packets of donated hygiene items like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and combs were passed out to Iraqi soldiers training at the National Training Center. A group of volunteers from the 1st Sustainment Brigade assembled at the Argonne Chapel and for two hours packaged together packets of supplies for distribution.

The bags were then loaded to be delivered by the volunteers, led by Chaplain (Maj.) Terry Hayes, a Grants Pass, Ore., native, and Sgt. Michael Theubet, a Redding, Ca., native, and the chaplain assistant.

First stop on the "Operation Friendship" mission was the Iraqi non-commissioned officer academy, where a group of 100 Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers awaited their goodies. The second leg of the journey was the Level Three Wheeled Maintenance shop, commanded by Col. Abdul Wahab Mohammed.

"These gifts show the U.S. Army (does) cares about our Soldiers and it encourages them to do their very best," Mohammed said.

The half-a-day outreach concluded in the office of Brig. Gen. Abdul Mahady Sharaque Sabah, Iraqi security force commander (Taji location), where the volunteers were treated to delicious chai tea after presenting nearly 60 Iraqi soldiers with gift bags.

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