Iraqi army takes the lead with help from U.S. forces

Photo By Spc. Jessica Haney | An Iraqi school girl shows her school supplies and soccer ball that she received from Iraqi army soldiers during a donation drop at schools in Al Waa, Iraq, March 25.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

03.25.2010

Story by Spc. Jessica Haney 

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION SPIDER, Iraq — Iraqi soldiers from the 4th Field Engineer Regiment visited two schools in the village of Al Waa to deliver cloth and school supplies, while Soldiers from 1st Platoon, 573rd Clearance Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, provided security for the event.

Children in the schools were thrilled by the donation.

"I am happy and glad to receive these gifts," said Rusol Nory, a student at one of the schools. "I'm going to start to learn how to sew so that I can use the cloth."

Maj. Abin, the media officer for the 4th FER, said that donating the school supplies allows the IA to bond with the kids.

"I feel we get closer with kids and they are not afraid of the Iraqi army — it helps patch the rift between the kids and the army," he said. "In the future when they see the army in the streets, they can feel secure."

Donating school supplies isn't a usual thing for Sgt. 1st Class John Warnock, platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, 573rd Clearance Company, 1st Eng. Bn.

"Partnership missions so far have been route clearance, training missions, but this is something for the Iraqi people — not the Iraqi military," he said. "It's great to do these things for the kids. The kids don't have anything to do with what's going on here, but they are the future of what's going to go on here. We should make them more prepared for the future by giving them the things they need for school.

"The good thing about having the IA give the supplies is that it puts them in a good light with their own people," he continued. "They have improved quite a bit since we've been here. They're doing well on policing the cities, and they're starting to get involved in the reconstruction. They are serious about what they are doing and take pride in it."

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Stephen Simmons, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Eng. Bn., said missions like these get the U.S. closer to coming home.

Seeing the IA get out there and take charge is a great step. It confirms down the road everything can be handed over to them, said 2nd Lt. Simmons, the officer in charge of the engineer military transition team for the 4th FER. "The kids were excited, and seeing all of those smiling faces was worth the hard work."

• Date Taken: 03.25.2010
• Date Posted: 03.29.2010 14:18
• Story ID: 47402
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ