USD-C Soldiers, Iraqi Security Forces distribute humanitarian aid

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Johnson | Capt. Duong Nguyen (right), the brigade surgeon with 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.29.2010

Story by Sgt. Kimberly Johnson 

196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD – Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, along with Iraqi Security Forces with the 3rd Battalion, 55th Brigade, 17th Iraq Army Division, conducted Operation Raider Outreach Sept. 29, providing humanitarian aid to the people of Zambraniyah, Iraq.

As U.S. Forces have adopted the role of advising, training and assisting Iraqis, ISF are taking the lead in securing their country and building relationships with its citizens.

“The Iraqi Security Forces and the local leaders from the Zambraniyah area coordinated the event, due to the mutual trust they have established with each other and the local population,” said Capt. Irvin Nelms, commander of Company A, 2nd Bn. 7th Inf. Regt., and a Lake City, S.C., native. “The U.S. has done operations there before and these relationships are beneficial because as the U.S. draws down its presence in the months ahead, it gives [the ISF] the framework to continue these operations and assist the local population.”

There were several focuses of the mission to Zambraniyah, said Lt. Col. Gregory Sierra, commander of 2nd Bn., 7th Inf. Regt., and a Toronto, Ohio, native.
Sierra said one purpose was to assist in reconnecting the ISF with the local population. In addition, as that is done, he said, the ISF can assess the security situation in the area. Another focus of the humanitarian mission is it helps fulfill some small needs of the people.

“Operations like [Operation Raider Outreach] started in May,” Sierra said. “Since then, we are seeing an increase in the ability of the [ISF] to plan and resource the missions. Also, each time these programs are held, they get closer and closer to their people. That, over time, builds security.”

During the mission to Zambraniyah, medical care was administered, school supplies were distributed and boxes of food were given to the families.

“The medical piece was important, because in order for the local nationals to develop a sense of pride in [the Iraqi Army], they need to feel like they are being supported and protected,” Nelms said. “The best way to do that is by giving them tangible items, something they can hold and see that somebody cares about them.”

There were more than 100 males, 100 females and 50 children treated by medical personnel during the mission, Nelms said.

“The Iraqi Army was in the lead on the treatment,” Nelms said. “The U.S. medics were just there to provide support.”

Some of the common medical trends observed were joint pain, muscular and skeletal issues from birth defects and geriatric complications, Nelms said.

Various medications were given to the locals such as anti-inflammatory medication, stool softeners, cough medicine, heartburn medication and vitamins.

As the outreach program was taking place, ISF and U.S. soldiers worked together to provide security.

“Our mission was to conduct the [humanitarian mission] with 3rd Bn., 55th Bde., 17th IA Div., to empower the ISF and the Government of Iraq and strengthen the ISF partnerships,” Nelms said.

According to a 2008 Multi National Forces – Iraq press release, al-Qaeda housed a torture prison in Zambraniyah that was later destroyed by U.S. forces.

“When I was here in 2006, the area was called the Sunni Triangle,” Nelms said. “It was pretty bad. Now, it’s relatively quiet. There aren’t too many incidents of sectarian violence. That’s due to the heightened sense of pride and awareness with the ISF and the [Iraqi Police] and the majority of the [Iraqi Army] in the area that do their patrols, making sure everything is safe. The ISF have really taken a significant interest in community uplifting in this area.”

Long-term security is a concern in the area, but a function of this humanitarian mission was to mitigate any potential enduring threats, Sierra said.

“When outreach programs are conducted, they can be where the need is the greatest for the people, or where there are concerns with the threat situation,” Sierra said. “[The outreach programs] help connect the ISF with the people and help with the security.”

Sierra said when he arrived in theater, the ISF were in charge of security of the area and there is no doubt in his mind they have continued to become more and more capable over the past several months, providing security for Zambraniyah.

“By working with the ISF and just assisting them—letting them take the lead on everything—it really empowers the ISF and the Government of Iraq because the locals receive medicine from the forces they see everyday protecting their security,” Nelms said. “It goes miles with the local populace.”

• Date Taken: 09.29.2010
• Date Posted: 10.04.2010 02:03
• Story ID: 57442
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ