BAGHDAD — Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided food packs, soccer balls, backpacks and pencil sets for residents of an Iraqi apartment complex Aug. 25.
The aid drop was spearheaded by the Iraqi Army Civil Affairs Team, the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion and Soldiers from Multi-National Division-Baghdad to provide relief to a working class neighborhood around the Adhamiyah industrial zone.
The aid drop supplied 400 food packs, 200 backpacks, 200 soccer balls and 200 pencil and crayon sets to the children and Families in the area.
“This was a pretty significant drop that we coordinated with IA CA team,” said 1st Lt. Rosita Rodriguez, the Alpha Civil Affairs Team Chief.
“Coalition forces have generally had no presence with these sorts of aid drops, but because of the size of this drop we stepped in to provide assistance and security,” continued Rodriguez.
The aid drops are important for this area where essential services are virtually non-existent. Equally important is that CF facilitates the operations with the IA as they take the lead in revitalization efforts and community relations, said Rodriguez.
For the Iraqis the aid drop is simply a greatly appreciated act that also coincides with the beginning of the new school year for this working class area.
“The backpacks and pencil sets are greatly needed for our children as they get ready to return to school for this term, the children also like the footballs,” said an Iraqi man at the aid drop.
“We are grateful that the Iraqi Army and friendly forces have decided to give attention to our people and neighborhood and these events helped strengthen the ties between the people and the government,” he concluded.