Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Government officials, U.S. work to heal, unite

    Government officials, U.S. work to heal, unite

    Courtesy Photo | An Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter delivers medical supplies to the al-Betra school...... read more read more

    By Capt. Drew Sandstrum
    3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

    PATROL BASE KEMPLE, Iraq – For the first time in recent history, the government of Iraq came to the aid of local residents requiring medical care in al-Betra and Owesat, about 25 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, on May 20.

    Assisted by Soldiers of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), GoI officials and Iraqi doctors flew to a school in the remote community of al-Betra to provide medical care and discuss the extension of government services to the area.

    The adjoining communities of al-Betra and Owesat sit on the western shores of the Euphrates River. The area falls under the jurisdiction of Anbar province and Ameriyah-Fallujah Nahia, despite being more than 30 kilometers from the nahia government and more than 40 kilometers from Fallujah, the seat of provincial government.

    This natural isolation has led to a lack of essential services. In recent months, however, the tribal leaders of al-Betra and Owesat have reached out to GoI officials with the assistance of coalition forces. This mission marks a turning point in the effort to integrate the communities into government operations.

    Following a recent meeting concerning the al-Betra area with Mayor Fallah Younis Hassan, of Ameriyah, Capt. Nathan Raymond, commander of Co. A, 3-187th Inf. Regt., said an upcoming air assault mission was an excellent occasion for the mayor to visit the area.

    "It seemed like a perfect opportunity," Raymond said. "These people want to take care of themselves, so the best thing we can do for them is help them make contact with the government officials who can help them do that."

    After picking up Hassan at a coalition patrol base in Ameriyah, helicopters loaded with Soldiers of Company A, doctors and Iraqi advisers touched down outside the school in al-Betra shortly after sunrise. While locals lined up to be seen, two helicopters dropped medical supplies in the school's courtyard.

    Najim Obaid Jassim, a local nurse, arrived with the helicopters and quickly began organizing patients for care. Assisted by Dr. Ali, an Iraqi medical adviser to coalition forces, and Dr. (Maj.) Angela Uy, of Company C, 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), Jassim helped treat 128 local residents throughout the day.

    "I am glad we were able to do this," she said. "Normally, there are so many people that I do not have enough supplies to help everyone, but today has been good."

    While the doctors and nurses treated patients, Hassan met with local tribal leaders and coalition commanders to address government involvement in the area to include a need for medical supplies, government-paid teachers, fuel and insufficient water and power. Despite recent conflicts, the mayor said it is time for things to change.

    "It is my job to care for these people," he said. "It is time to put the past behind us.

    "Elections are coming up soon," he continued, "and Owesat and al-Betra need to have a part in them so they do not lose their rights."

    Local sheiks were pleased with the operation and its outcome and expressed their gratitude to coalition forces for helping bring GoI attention to their community.

    "Screaming Eagles are a part of us now," said Sheikh Khudayr Hasim Ismael. "Nobody put any effort into this area until the Screaming Eagles did. We are looking forward to our own government taking care of us now, but we will always remember what Screaming Eagles did for us."

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.23.2008
    Date Posted: 05.23.2008 18:56
    Story ID: 19760
    Location: IQ

    Web Views: 191
    Downloads: 160

    PUBLIC DOMAIN