FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 10, 2006
SR# 111006-09
By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BALAD RUZ, Iraq (Nov. 6, 2006) – While reducing violence is a main focus for both Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, not all missions revolve around capturing the enemy. Members of the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 5th Iraqi Army are out to prove that.
Convoys headed out to different villages in the Diyala province, Nov. 6, as the Soldiers from 5-73 together with 5th Iraqi Army soldiers were armed with a different type of ammunition -- soccer balls, clothing and shoes.
"We went out to help get the Iraqi Army on the civilian's good side," said Spc. Randell Marshall, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5-73, and a native of Fitzgerald, Ga., understanding why its important for the Iraqi citizens to have confidence in their security forces.
"We donated a lot of supplies, clothing, shoes and soccer balls so the Iraqi Army could give those out," he added.
"The main point behind the mission was to build a rapport between the Iraqi Army and the local citizens," said Capt. John Pratt, Company B, 404th Civil Affairs.
"It's for the locals to see their army isn’t just for going on raids and detaining people, they are here also because they care and want to help," he continued. "They are not the Shia Army or Kurdish Army; they are all of Iraq's Army."
The Soldiers were hoping the mission would be a positive one as they had many boxes of supplies to hand out. When they arrived, they were greeted with many smiling faces.
"It was a very positive mission," said Pratt. "The gifts that were given out had a positive reaction on the locals."
"We stopped at one village and they were thrilled to see us," added Marshall. “We passed out our supplies to them and stayed there for a few hours. They even cooked for us."
"I saw kids already shivering,” he added. "It's not even cold to us, but to them it's freezing. That is why missions for handing out supplies to help the villagers are really important.”
"The experience was overwhelming,” said Spc. Kevin Geis, HHT, 5-73.
"The kids are very appreciative of what we can give them," he continued. "They were smiling and cheering, and giving us the thumbs up. It’s a great feeling."
Both Soldiers from 5-73 and the Iraqi Army feel these missions will leave a lasting effect on the community, Marshall said. He also added he hopes this will help the Iraqi Army in their future missions.
"We are trying to help the Iraqi Army out with helping the communities out so when we leave, the Iraqi Army will be able to go out and do these kinds of missions on their own," Marshall said.
"These missions build trust and respect," added Pratt.
"When the locals look at us, they see a force that is not going to take sides,” he continued. "They see a professional Army who is here to establish justice.”
“Some of the citizens have had doubts about the Iraqi government and its army. These missions help establish that trust that is needed," Pratt said.
"U.S. Coalition Forces work with the Iraqi Army daily on these types of missions and through these missions, we train the Iraqi Army in becoming a professional organization," Pratt said.
But Marshall and Geis both agree the best part of the supply missions is seeing the children after they have received their new gifts.
"Seeing the kids smile is the best part of the mission,' said Marshall. "The weather is changing and to see them smile when we hand out winter clothes and shoes to those who are barefooted, it’s a nice feeling.
"Watching these kids, it's really a nice thing because you get to see the good side of Iraqi people and not the 'bad guys' running around," he added. “They are good people.”
"This is the best mission you can go on,” said Geis. "These kids are the leaders in the next 15 to 20 years, and we might have a lasting effect on them with these missions."
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