OIC In Action

 

BAQUBAH, Iraq – 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Soldiers delivered school supplies donated by the American Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Operation Iraqi Children to students of Mulaeid Village School in the Diyala Province on December 8.

The units from the 3rd BCT involved in the mission were Charlie Company, Task Force 82nd Engineers and the CAT A Team, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion. An Iraqi National Guard company based in the town of Kana’n joined them.

The Coalition units conducted a joint operation. Charlie Company, 82nd Engineers, led by Capt. Scott Holland, swept the area for weapons caches. The CAT A Team, led by Maj. Gerald Thomas, Staff Sgt. Carmine Duncan and Spc. Raul Illescas carried out an assessment of the village in order to gauge its basic needs, such as water and electricity.

Handing out supplies from Operation Iraqi Children to the students of Mulaeid School proved to be an important asset. Doing so contributed to the Army’s mission of providing security for the country of Iraq.

Maj. Thomas explained “the cooperation of local citizens is vitally important during security sweeps, which can sometimes cause confusion. Civil-military operations conducted in the area concurrently, such as the distribution of school supplies from Operation Iraqi Children, can help promote cooperation – and did so on this occasion.”

As a result, the students of Mulaeid, and their families, now have a more positive relationship with Coalition Forces. (Story by Sgt. Joseph Skelly, 411thh Civil Affairs Battalion)

 

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Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and Iraqi National Guard soldiers distribute packages donated by Operation Iraqi Children in the villiage of Mulaeid on December 8th, 2004. (Photo courtesy of 3rd Brigade Combat Team)

 

Maj. Gerald Thomas (center) of the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion participates in Operation Iraqi Children in the villiage of Mulaeid on December 8th, 2004. (Photo courtesy of 3rd Brigade Combat Team)