Iraqi Emergency Response Unit and US Soldiers Support Local Schools

News: Iraqi Emergency Response Unit and US Soldiers Support Local Schools

37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) - Joint Task Force Eagle

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Story by 1st Lt. Meghan E. Keefe Follow This Journalist

Capt. Meghan E. Keefe

The school director, Maj. Khan of the Iraqi security forces, Emergency Response Unit, school teachers and Chaplain (Capt.) Tim Behnke of the 37th Engineer Battalion - Joint Task Force Eagle, talk about current events and the school program in hopes of continuing to support this school system and others like it in the future.

SALAH AD DIN, Iraq — The 6th Battalion Iraqi Emergency Response Unit and U.S. forces supported two local schools during a visit to deliver backpacks and school supplies in Dujayl, Iraq, April 7.

Alpha Company, 37th Engineer Battalion- Joint Task Force Eagle, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., and Bravo Company, 1-28 Infantry Battalion, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., partnered with the 6th Bn., ERU, to make two special trips and deliver backpacks, donated by the 194th Engineer Brigade, a National Guard Unit from Tennessee with school supplies inside, donated by school children from the Joe Hubenak Elementary School Third Grade Class in Richmond, Texas, to Iraqi school children in need.

The mission, stated Chaplain (Capt.) Tim Behnke, JTF Eagle Chaplain from Fayetteville, N.C., would not have been possible if it weren't for the efforts of those in the states and that of Major Khan, the 6th Bn. ERU operations officer, and his team.

"Everything fell into place perfectly. Tennessee donated the backpacks, Texas donated the school supplies and our Iraqi partners wanted to help their community," said Behnke.

According to 1st Lt. Cody Fields, 1st Platoon leader of Bravo Company, 1-28 Inf. Bn., from Roseville, Calif., the relationship between his platoon and the 6th Bn., ERU, makes opportunities to support the local communities a reality.

"Half of my patrols are conducted in partnership with the ERU. They are very open to joint patrolling, have an excellent rapport with the community and are well known throughout the area," said Fields. "Their 'community first' approach to conflict resolution is a great learning opportunity for my Soldiers. This was our first time conducting a mission like this with the ERU and it was a lot of fun."

The engineers and infantrymen were escorted by the 6th Bn., ERU, into Dujayl where their first stop was an all girl primary school. Soldiers unloaded boxes with the ERU, and as a team, they handed out backpacks to quiet classrooms full of curious eyes. Once classmates were handed the bright pink shoulder bags, the girls were all smiles.

"It was great and a very interesting experience," said 1st Lt. Josh Morris, JTF Eagle intelligence officer and native of Winchester, Tenn. "I have spent the past 10 months working with Iraqi adults, so spending time with these kids was really enjoyable."

Morris's sister-in-law, Erin Jones, of Richmond, Texas, and 3rd Grade teacher for the Joe Hubenak Elementary School, was the driving force behind the donation and says that it was a community effort which provided 120 boys and girls school supplies for their new back packs.

"In honor of our 'Freedom Week,' we decided to do something to support the troops. After talking to Josh, we decided to mail school supplies. We asked the kids to collect donations at home and with their friends, families and neighbors. The kids brought the school supplies into my classroom where we sorted and organized them," said Jones.

The teachers of the all boy's primary school, which was the last stop of the day, were also pleased to witness the dedication the ERU has to their community. The school director invited Khan and the U.S. Soldiers to join them for a late lunch following the visit and discuss the school system and some of their needs.

"Thank you for your generosity," the school director told the officers. "It is important to support our children who are our future."