Photo By Pfc. Christopher McKenna | Veterinarian Mohammed Helim Abdkhalf of Owesat Iraq, approximately 26-kilometers...... read more read more
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By Pvt. Christopher McKenna
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs Office
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The Rakkasans organized a veterinary clinic at the Nasiriyah school in Owesat, May 31.
"Owesat is a farming community and the animals and husbandry is a key aspect of their lives," said 1st Lt. Edward Janis, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187 Infantry Regiment. "Currently, they don't have any medicine for the animals so we funded a project to sponsor a local animal doctor who has some training in the field."
The Soldiers of 3-187 Inf. Regt., 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), coordinated for Iraqi veterinarian Mohammed Helim to vaccinate livestock in the community, approximately 26 kilometers southwest of Baghdad. Helim is responsible for tending to the livestock of four tribes in the area.
Local farmers brought their livestock to the school courtyard where Helim administered vaccinations to approximately 30 sheep, goats and cows.
"This goes to the core of what people value out here, which is their animals," Janis said. "We are here to care and we are here to help the Iraqi people in whatever way we can."
This was the first major veterinary operation in Owesat since the Rakkasans arrived and the first time animals in the area had been vaccinated since 2002.
Though this is the first veterinary operation in Owesat, nearby Qarghuli Village has received care from the unit in the past. Local residents and Soldiers alike benefit from these efforts.
"It puts a different face on the U.S. Army, showing we aren't all about war, but that we can help rebuild also," said Staff Sgt. Adam Kolar, from Plummer, Idaho, a squad leader with Company A.
Private First Class Dustin Driver agreed the operation served a vital role.
"It may look small to people outside the military," said the native of Cleveland, Texas, "but ... it means the world to them for us to come out and help."
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2008 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 20226 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 232 |
This work, Rakkasans coordinate veterinarian visit in Owesat, by PFC Christopher McKenna, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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