MND-B Soldiers, IA soldiers build friendships through soccer

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Soldiers from the Ammunition Transfer Holding Point, Company A, 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and Iraqi army soldiers from the Logistics Battalion, 35th Brigade, 9th IA Division, enjoy a meal together after a friendly soccer competition at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, July 10. The game ended with the Iraqi army in the lead of 5 to 0.  

TAJI, IRAQ

07.10.2008

Story by Pfc. Lyndsey Prax 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers Iraqi army soldiers joined together at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, July 10, for a friendly soccer game, followed by a dinner.

Soldiers from the Ammunition Transfer Holding Point, Company A, 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from the Logistics Battalion, 35th Brigade, 9th IA Division participated in the days activities.

As the MND-B Soldiers warmed up with practice shots and stretches, the IA soldiers arrived at the field looking as though they had just come from competing in the World Cup.

"They're not going to win, but at least they're getting better," Mohand Taleb, an IA soldier from Log Bn., 35th Bde., said about the MND-B Soldiers as he watched the game begin from the sidelines.

This was not the first game the two teams had played against each other and it certainly won't be the last.

1st Sgt. Kenneth Reynolds of Co. A, 225th BSB, plans on making soccer a monthly event for his Soldiers with the intent to build a stronger relationship with the IA.

"Soccer is their major sport and we learn a lot about them playing against them," he said.

The MND-B Soldiers' ability to play may have improved since the last game, but the results were the same; the Iraqi soldiers triumphed with the final score of 5 to 0.

Not only are these games productive for those participating in the competition, but it is a great social event for the spectators as well allowing them to interact with one another and develop personal relationships.

"This is a good opportunity for us to tie our relationship together," said Taleb "We are not just working together, we are becoming friends."

After a grueling game, all the players worked up an appetite and continued to build friendships over dinner.

"It's great that we can sit down after they beat us and eat together," said Sgt. Fredrick Scott, a Lavern Alabama native, ATHP section sergeant. "It builds a trust between us and shows them they can talk to us. I hope it continues."

The Soldiers from Co. A, 225th BSB may have lost this game, but they didn't go home empty handed. At the end of the night the IA soldiers presented them with a second place trophy. The words "In the Spirit of Friendship" were engraved right at the top.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2008
• Date Posted: 07.13.2008 08:51
• Story ID: 21434
• Location: TAJI, IQ