FOB RUSTAMIYAH — Iraqi Police (IP) officers and U.S. Soldiers attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, teamed up to distribute humanitarian aid to those who needed the assistance in eastern Baghdad, Nov 20.
The IP and Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., met in the morning to load two trucks: one with humanitarian-aid packages and the other with bottled water.
They headed to one of the poorest areas of the 9 Nissan District to hand out the goods. Each package contained rice, sugar and canned-food items packed in yellow knapsacks.
When the convoy arrived, the streets filled with men, women and children eager to greet the IP and Soldiers, who distributed the knapsacks in less than half an hour, noted 1st Lt. Eric Chapman, a platoon leader for Company A, from Killeen, Texas. The Soldiers provided security as the IP distributed the aid packages and water to the people.
“My Soldiers have transitioned well from when we were in the lead to the Iraqis leading almost all of the missions – and that’s why we’re here,” explained Chapman. “[Our] 1st Platoon Soldiers have trained their counterparts diligently and now gladly step to the side, letting the Iraqi Police take the lead.”
The IP seemed to enjoy the reactions of the local citizens. In turn, the people were pleased to receive aid from the IP.
“No one was nervous to approach the IP,” said Pfc. Trevor Shields, of Newhall, Calif. “In fact, it was the opposite.”
One part of his mission was to monitor the peoples’ attitudes toward the IP who serve the citizens in the area, said 1st Lt. Trustin Varnado, who is from Killeen, Texas, and serves as an intelligence officer.
“We rode along, not only to provide security for the IPs but also to get a feel for the people of 9-Nissan,” commented Varnado. “And, as it seems, the attitude is a positive one. They received the Iraqi Police with open arms, literally.”
Along with the bottled water and canned goods, the IP handed out informational flyers about wanted criminals known to previously live and operate in the area.
(By Sgt. Jeremy Todd, 10th Mountain Division)