The Lutifiyah Medical clinic received two ambulances April 26 through the efforts of coalition forces.

Before this, the clinic had relied on Iraqi Army forces to provide transportation for critically ill or wounded persons.

“We will still provide security for the ambulance movement,” said 1st Lt. Mohammed Mousa, a doctor with 1st Battalion, 25th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. “We know the people need emergency medical care on a regular basis and we are going to make sure the people who can give that care get to the people who need it.”

The nahia council in Lutifiyah, 36 kilometers south of Baghdad, brought the need to the attention of Coalition forces, who facilitated delivery of the ambulances.

“This will increase the capacity and ability of the health clinic to reach a more widespread area and be able to bring care to people in need,” said Capt. Mike Fisher, commander of Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Yaseem Mustafa, chairman of the Lutifiyah Nahia Council, said the delivery would alleviate hardship in the community.

“No longer will people have to travel to the clinic for emergency care, it can now be brought to them,” he said.

DVIDS
By Pvt. Christopher McKenna

Rakkasans and Iraqi army troops organize items found in a cache north of Lutifiyah Feb. 19

DVIDS
By Pvt. Christopher McKenna
3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)

A significant weapon cache was discovered after a group effort between Iraqi army and Red Knight Rakkasan soldiers Feb. 19, north of Lutifiyah.

Led to the site by a local citizen who gave a tip, members of 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division and 4th Platoon, Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), found a mass of weapons and homemade explosives.

The cache contained various improvised explosive device-making materials, multiple explosive rounds, firearms and documentation.

“The source of intelligence for the cache was with us the whole way,” said Capt. Charlie Lewis, executive officer for Btry. B, 3-320th FA. “He led us to the location and told us the cache was located between two specific houses; from there we started our search.”

The IA came upon the cache before the U.S. forces did.

“The Iraqis know the area better than us and can tell more when ground in an area has been disturbed,” said Sgt. Jeremiah Hash, fire support noncommissioned officer, 4th Plt., Btry. B, 3-320th FA.

This was the largest find for the battery since arriving into country last October.

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