Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers carry a bag of book bags to a school in the Faylaq neighborhood during their combined humanitarian mission, Dec. 22. Photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs
Three hundred Iraqi schoolchildren in the village of Faylaq, near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Iraq, were treated to a surprise donation of school necessities Dec. 22.
In an effort to improve education in Kirkuk, Iraqi police and members of the Al-Atyah Women’s Organization, assisted by Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, donated school supplies for children.
This humanitarian mission was a part of a larger mission to reach out to the people in this neighborhood, said Hanna Hasan Husein, a leader at Al-Atyah.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Russell Raines, the 1st platoon leader for B-Company, 1st Batt., 30th Inf. Regt., whose platoon helped the IP’s and Women’s Organization members in delivering the supplies, believes these combined activities are important to stability in the region.
The progress the IP’s, AAWO and U.S. forces are making in the villages can already be seen, according to Husein. The children are talking to the IP’s and Soldiers, laughing, smiling and at one point the children were singing with the IP’s.
Humanitarian aid plays a huge part in the fight we are in now, said Husein. It allows the people to see the IP are here to also help them, not just conduct raids or combat patrols.
It is important for the Iraqi population to see the IP’s and U.S. forces conducting these types of operations which show that we are allies and not occupiers, according to Raines.
Raines also feels it is a welcome change of pace for him and his Soldiers to be able to help children.
For everyone involved it is a powerful experience, through partnership we were able to improve the lives of these students, Raines explained.
“The IP and U.S. forces mission here is the people of Iraq,” said Raines. “We want them to know we are all here to protect them and keep them safe.”
“Throughout their time here, 1st Batt., 30th Inf. Reg. plans on assisting the Iraqi police and AAWO,” said Raines.
According to Raines, U.S. forces, the IP’s and Women’s Organization will continue to deliver school supplies and other items not available to students.
“This helps the community build a relationship of trust with the IP’s and hopefully a better future,” said Raines.
DVIDS
Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs
