363rd MPAD
ARAB JABUR -- Soldiers from Multi-National Division - Baghdad’s Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided local residents with humanitarian-aid July 27 as part of Operation River Falcon near the Tigris River.
“The purpose of the mission was to get the atmospherics of Arab Jabur so that we can get a feel for the area, develop a continued presence and distribute humanitarian aid to the residents,” said 2nd Lt. David Bowers, fire support officer, Troop B, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt.
Bowers led a dismounted patrol into the residential and farming areas of Arab Jabur, stopping by several residences and farms to get a feel for the attitudes and needs of the local residents.
“Basically, most of the people we talked with today said they like having U.S. and Iraqi army forces here,” he said. “They want to help us stop (terrorists) and be able to turn over the country to the Iraqi army and Iraqi police. That is exactly why we are here. We want to get better control of the area so we can establish check points and help keep the area safe from terrorists,” said Bowers.
“The objective of the mission was to get into the sector and get good public relations with the locals,” added Sgt. Joseph McShan, forward observer. McShan served as a navigator and helped ensure routes were secure during the mission.
McShan said he thought the mission was successful.
“We showed a positive force by giving out food and taking down their issues, such as getting clean water and reliable electricity sources. We showed the people of Arab Jabur that we care,” he said.
McShan is serving his second tour in Iraq and expressed why he likes being a Soldier.
“The opportunities and experiences you get everyday are invaluable. Sometimes things may seem unbearable, but they make you stronger and it builds character,” he said.
McShan compared his current tour to his previous tour in Iraq.
“There’s a lot more progress and structure here in Iraq now,” he said.
“We need to get a lot of good public relations out there so that the people will trust us, help us get rid of the terrorists and begin building the Iraqi government so that they can take care of themselves,” concluded McShan.