Air Force flight bring smiles to Iraqi children

Air Force Links ^ | Maj. Robert Palmer

[SandRat]

5/1/2006 - BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) -- As they stepped into the large, gray military cargo plane, their eyes widened and their expressions were equal parts wonder and bewilderment. This was the first time many of the Iraqi children and their parents had ever flown in an airplane, and none had ever been in an aircraft as large as the Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster III.

On April 29, the aircraft, based in Southwest Asia, flew 110 Iraqi children and 97 of their parents, guardians and escorts from Amman to Baghdad in support of “Operation Smile.”

Operation Smile, an international non-governmental organization, provides corrective surgery for cleft palates and cleft lips, congenital birth defects that affect approximately one out of every 600 children, according to the Cleft Palate Foundation. Operation Smile had evaluated the Iraqi children and transported them to Amman for corrective surgery.

According to Chris Anderson, an Operation Smile staff member based in the Middle East, Operation Smile leaders had a concern for the safety and security of the children on the 22-hour return bus trip from Amman to Baghdad through Iraq’s western provinces.

“We basically determined that (returning by bus) at this time wasn’t the safest option for the kids,” said Mr. Anderson. “For us, safety of the patients has always been the number one priority.”

Dr. William P. Magee Jr., Operation Smile co-founder and chief executive officer, and chief medical officer Dr. Robert Rubin wrote to Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and requested assistance from the Air Force to provide safe airlift for the Iraqi children and their parents.

The Air Force received approval for the mission late Friday evening and by early Saturday morning, the C-17 was airborne and enroute to Amman.

After the young patients and their parents had settled into their seats, they listened intently as Dr. Talib, a plastic surgery resident traveling with the group, read the preflight safety briefing in Arabic. Members of the crew reassured nervous passengers that the oxygen masks were only necessary in case of emergency.

The passengers recited a brief prayer as the plane began to taxi.

“We’re asking God for safe passage to Iraq,” said one of the parents.

The prayer was repeated several times with increasing urgency and volume as the plane accelerated down the runway and lifted off. One Iraqi woman quietly fingered her prayer beads and hugged her daughter tightly as the plane began its rapid ascent.

“This is turning out to be a rewarding mission,” said Lt. Col. Chris Carlsen, the aircraft commander. “You see all the children with the smiles on their faces. I’m glad to be a part of this. It’s a historic and beneficial event for the Iraqi people.”

Airman 1st Class Alexis Elliott, a loadmaster for the C-17, agreed.

“It makes me feel like I’m really helping to do something important,” said Airman Elliott, who is on her first deployment with the Air Force.

As the plane landed, taxied and came to a halt at Baghdad International Airport’s passenger terminal, the faces of the Iraqi children and their parents explained very clearly what Operation Smile is all about. One jubilant father exited the plane, dropped to his knees and kissed the ground, although it was not clear whether he was celebrating his return to Iraq or just happy to be back on solid ground.

“The bottom line is that the military is really trying to do what it can to help,” Mr. Anderson said. “The support was a great match for us.”

[SandRat]

Iraqi children and their escorts leave an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, on Saturday, April 29, 2006, as Chris Anderson of Operation Smile and two crewmembers watch. Operation Smile provides corrective surgery for cleft palates and cleft lips. The program provided surgery in Amman, Jordan, to more than 100 Iraqi children. They were flown back to Iraq on the C-17. Mr. Anderson is an Operation Smile staff member based in the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Will Ackerman)

[SandRat]

Make the Children Smile!!!!

[chgomac]

Make the Children Smile!!!!
How beautiful! The story and picture made this grandma smile too!

[the Real fifi]

Operation Smile is an outstanding charity with no administrative costs taken off the top. They use local physicians and hospitals and the Board covers the administrative costs out of their own pockets. For an average $250 per child they repaid cleft palates, making it possible for these children to eat, thrive and have normal lives. It's a winner!

[Gordongekko909]

Recommend to Limbaugh's list of charities!

[Lady Jag]

What an awesome head trip for those parents and kids!   And a thoughtful thing to do.   It would be a trip for me and I've flown in some neat stuff.

[Marine_Uncle]

Nice article. Nice break for the air crew most probably. Who knows. Some of these kids may some day fly Iraqi F16's over the skies of Iraq to protect their country from foreign influences.

[the Real fifi]

Don't know how to do that.

[dighton]

Bump from one recalling the thrill (after so many years) of childhood flights.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Marine_Uncle]

"Bump from one recalling the thrill (after so many years) of childhood flights."
Some kids defintelty get inspired early on.