Iraqi army aids Shula residents

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division hand out humanitarian aid to residents in Shula, a neighborhood in northwest Baghdad, May 26. Soldiers gave out rice, lentils, sugar, tomato paste and other essentials to nearly 300 residents during a three day period beginning, May 24.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.26.2008

Story by Sgt. Paul Monroe 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

By Sgt. Paul Monroe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

BAGHDAD – Leaders and Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division distributed humanitarian aid to residents in Shula, a neighborhood in northwest Baghdad, May 26.

Soldiers travelled door-to-door handing out staples such as rice, lentils and tomato paste to 100 residents.

At the end, nearly 300 residents throughout Shula received aid during a three-day period beginning, May 24.

Shula resident's movement to and from markets had been hampered by criminal activity in the area, making Soldiers clad in desert uniforms bearing boxes filled with food a welcome sight.

Capt. Joseph Sincere, a fire support officer with the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division said, the Soldiers efforts had yielded an optimistic outlook for security going forward.

Some of the same streets used as drop points for humanitarian aid had been the site of recent Iraqi army clearance missions, where Soldiers travelled from house to house, searching and gathering intelligence in an effort to root out criminals taking refuge in the area.

"All families who have received assistance are excited about moving from a tense situation, to relative calm in the neighborhoods," Sincere said.

Sincere pointed out that operations in the area have been spearheaded by the Iraqi army while coalition forces have provided support in the way of targeted high-value criminal arrest.

Coalition forces also provided air weapons teams' support during clearance missions, which gave Iraqi Army Soldiers access to precision firepower at a moments notice.

Major Jim Rector chief of the 2nd BCT military transition team assigned to 2nd Bn. 22nd Bde., 6th IA, said, "the Iraqi army has seized this opportunity to capitalize on their security gains and the populace is coming out of their homes as markets reopen." Rector also added the residents have expressed gratitude towards the Soldiers and appear to be more confident in the Iraqi army's ability to protect the people.

Early in the morning on, May 25, the commander of Company D, 2nd Bn., 22nd Bde., 6th IA received a call from a local citizen.

The voice on the other end of the phone announced that there was a roadside bomb in Shulla. Unbeknownst to the residents receiving aid that tip led these Soldiers to a powerful explosive formed projectile roadside bomb just east of the drop point the day prior which they turned over to an explosive ordnance team.

Apparently, there's reason for confidence.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2008
• Date Posted: 05.30.2008 09:30
• Story ID: 19940
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ