Operation Raider Harvest transitions focus from enemy to the people

Photo By John Crosby | Warrant Officer Latif Cubah from the 5th Iraqi Army Division, pours flour into an Iraqi man's burlap sack during a Humanitarian aid mission in Mansuriyah, Jan. 13, conducted by the Iraqi army and Soldiers of Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash.  

MANSURIYAH, IRAQ

01.15.2008

Story by Spc. John Crosby 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

MANSURIYAH, Iraq – Operation Raider Harvest, a large scale operation in the Northern Diyala River Valley involving more than 4,000 troops from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., is shifting focus from a clearing operation, to a rebuilding operation.

The streets are showing changes. Hundreds of Iraqis took to the streets of Mansuriyah, Iraq, Jan. 13, some to observe their new Iraqi army and coalition forces neighbors, others to collect bags full of rice and flour during a humanitarian aid drop conducted by Soldiers of Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

"We are working to establish projects to improve life support and improve the infrastructure," said Capt. Robert Green, Grim Troop Commander, 2-3 ACR.

Green's troop and Iraqi army soldiers handed out scoops full of flour and rice to the people of Mansuriyah. Twenty-five 50-kilogram bags of flour, and 25 50-kilogram bags of rice were distributed to dozens of men, women and children lined up behind Grim Troop's entry control point.

"We're trying to show a gesture of good will," said Grim Troop 1st Sgt. James Adcock. "We've transitioned from blocking positions and defending against the IED threat and just keeping an eye on the area. We're still watching the routes and monitoring traffic, but we are trying to get things back to normal here."

This is exactly why missions such as this HA drop needed to be conducted, according to Adcock.

"We are passing out this rice and flour in hopes of gaining some trust," Adcock said. "We are showing these people we're here to help."

Gaining trust with the Iraqi people was a common goal between Grim Troop and the Iraqi army.

"I'm very happy helping these people and children, it is a wonderful day," said Iraq army Warrant Officer Latif Cubah through an interpreter. "I am proud to help the people of this village with coalition forces, because for a long time they haven't had any government support. We hope to gain these peoples' trust, and pray to Allah for a brighter future."

More missions aimed at helping the Iraqis are in the works for the people of the northern Diyala River province. More HA drops as well as a medical exercise will help bridge the gap between the Iraqis and their occupiers.

"As a part of the brigade operation to remove AQI and support local governance, Grim Troop is distributing humanitarian assistance, and will conduct a cooperative medical engagement in the area in the next few days. We will treat acute problems like cuts and burns, colds and sinus problems," said Grim Troop Medic Cpl. Bill Allen. "After the clearing operation we are just trying to reach out to these people here and let them now were here for them."

But as Operation Raider Harvest moves on one day at a time so does bringing the normal way of life back for the Iraqis of Mansuriyah.

"We will pass out this food today and see where it takes us tomorrow," Adcock said. "I wish we could do more."

• Date Taken: 01.15.2008
• Date Posted: 01.15.2008 07:47
• Story ID: 15466
• Location: MANSURIYAH, IQ