Posted on 12/21/2003 7:10:59 PM PST by Calpernia
Just by watching the news and reading the paper, many people think that all of the Coalition efforts are south of the green line. That is not true. Soldiers from many different units are operating in an area called Kurdistan or northern Iraq. One of those units is the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion.
Northern Iraq is what Kurdish people call home. They have had some freedom and safety since 1991. These are also the same people that supported the United States and the war in Iraq. Even with this freedom and relative safety, there are still many people and communities living in poverty.
A Special Operations Team from Charlie Company 404th Civil Affairs Battalion operating out of the Dahok Governate helped some of those less fortunate families. The result was that many people had a few more meals and a lot of them felt that they were not forgotten.
Forty-five families were helped and about 240 more will receive food. Each case of UGR H&S (t-rations) is made up of three boxes; box one has the meats and vegetables. The second has all of the canned foods and powdered products. The third has dry goods, paper plates, utensils and seasonings. Every three box set is designed to feed fifty people. Two thousand cases of water accompany the food.
This food and water was supplied to C Company 404th Civil Affairs Battalion through the LRS Detachment attached to the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion stationed at the Peshmerga Military Academy, who have been operating in the area to help build a safer Iraqi nation.
This opportunity to assist people is what civil affairs is all about. Working closely with the local Governate and mayoralty is the best way to help. By assessing the needs of the local population, civil affairs operators provide a valuable service to the region.
A Special Operations Team from Charlie Company 404th Civil Affairs Battalion operating out of the Dahok Governate helped some of the Kurdish people. The result was that many people had a few more meals and a lot of them felt that they were not forgotten.
Our troops "Winning the hearts and minds", giving these people hope for a better future. We rarely hear about what the troops are doing for the people in Northern Iraq. Thanks for posting this, Calpernia.
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