37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) – Joint Task Force Eagle

Story by 1st Lt. Meghan E. Keefe

BAQUBA, Iraq – A humanitarian assistance mission by Iraqi federal police, 6123 Federal Police Training Team, and Combined Joint Task Force Eagle gave Iraqi school children basic school supplies for the new school year, Oct. 12.

37th Engineer Battalion- Joint Task Force Eagle, based out of Fort Bragg N.C., joined the 6123 Federal Police Training Team, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., and their Iraqi federal police counterparts to address the needs of school children in the Baquba area. The U.S. forces and Iraqi partnership mission was an opportunity for the Iraqi federal police to interact with the local population and contribute to their community.

Man ben Zaid Elementary School was the first stop, followed by a visit to Talabar Elementary. There were approximately 100 children waiting the arrival of the humanitarian mission with an air of anticipation and excitement. Col. Jabar, Iraqi federal police officer, spoke to the children and informed them of why they were there.

After meeting the Iraqi federal police and learning what was about to take place, the children ran with smiling faces into their separate classrooms to sit, stand, or peek through windows as the Iraqi Federal Police proceeded to hand out the school supplies.

The last backpack was handed out and Capt. Timothy Behnke, the JTF Eagle chaplain, 37th EN BN, of Wales, Wis., where his father the Rev. Allen Behnke pastors a local church, thanked the school administrator for the opportunity to meet the children, teachers and staff. Working with the Iraqi federal police and providing them with the opportunity to introduce themselves to local children is essential in establishing a relationship with the community they serve.

Chaplain Behnke also conveyed that the education of children, "is one of the hardest, but most important jobs."

The teachers and students expressed immense gratitude for the school supplies that they received. The Iraqi federal police were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to distribute supplies to the children. Joint missions are very important in building relationships with both the Iraqi forces and citizens of the communities.

"It is a good, personal and humbling experience to provide much needed school supplies for Iraqi children," remarked Capt. Ismael Flecha, of Fair Lawn N.J., the physician's assistant for JTF Eagle.

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