Photo By Spc. Ben Washburn | Two policemen with the 1-5-2 National Police unload a chair from a truck during a...... read more read more
By Cpl. Ben Washburn
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers teamed up with Iraqi Security Forces to distribute supplies to the Al Esha'a school in Saydiyah in southern Baghdad Feb. 4.
Policemen from the 1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, delivered tables, chairs, book cases, a full size couch and backpacks for the students as MND-B Soldiers provided security for the distribution.
Soldiers from Company C, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, which is based out of Fort Stewart, Ga., and attached to Task Force Dragon, provided security while the NPs distributed a truckload of furniture and backpacks to the school.
"The more missions we do with them, their role is increasing. We're pretty much in a supervisory role now. They're pretty much doing everything, and we're back observing it, helping out where we can," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Montfort, a Rochester, N.Y., native, and a squad leader with the "Cyclones."
Delivering school supplies sends a positive message to the community, he added.
"It shows that (the NPs are) starting to take care of themselves – that they're starting to take care of each other," Montfort said.
Cpl. Steven Kramer, from Antioch, Ill., a team leader with the Fort Stewart-based unit, agreed.
"The INPs are coming along, they are learning, and they're really doing well," he said.
Montfort, who is on his second tour to Iraq, said he has had good experiences with the NPs he works with and gave them kudos for the work they do.
"This group we have is really good," he said. "The groups we've been working with, (1st and 3rd Battalions, 5th Bde., 2nd INP Div.) are real professional – their discipline, their security (and) the way they carry their weapons."
While the NPs took the lead in the mission, Kramer said the MND-B Soldiers want to reach out to the Iraqi people.
"(I am) just hoping that we can get the kids at a young age so that they can stay on our side and support us in what we're trying to do and help their country out," he said.
Overall this is a good way to help, Montfort said.
"We're uplifting the community," he said. "We're making a difference."
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2008 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 16102 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 187 |
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