Dear Interested Reader,
Operation Bring on the Docs, is a great opportunity for Iraqi medics to catch up on the latest available medical services. It's nice to highlight a most patriotic American family, as well as stories by way of a photo gallery of ordinary Iraqi people. AQI takes more hits throughout Iraq.
Joanna
_________________________________________
Aug. 26, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Raiders detain 3 suspected criminals
FOB FALCON - Aug. 25, in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, at approx. 1:45 a.m. in the Jihad neighborhood, Soldiers from Co E, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, arrested the 3 suspects during a point-specific target op.
-30-
Iraqi, 41st FB doctors improve health care in al-Kut
FOB DELTA - Iraqi and U.S. Army doctors treated more than 230 patients at the Theeba Clinic in al-Kut during a combined medical engagement organized by the 41st Fires Bde., Aug. 21.
"It's all about teamwork, working hand-in-hand, a partnership to learn each other's medical culture and to better facilitate and train the Iraqis," said 2nd Lt. Sebastien Goillandeau, 589th BSB Medical Ops, planner with the Special Projects Office.
These efforts, part of Op Bring on the Docs, allow the medical professionals in the area to train, work and share experiences together in order to improve the health care provided to residents of al-Kut. "The focus for this particular clinic was sharing advancements in medicine that the Iraqi doctors didn't have access to over the last several years," said Goillandeau.
Bringing the 41st Fires Bde. doctors' experience to the clinics has an immediate impact on the local Iraqis, improving the care Iraqi doctors can provide to their patients, said Goillandeau. "We're trying to increase their capabilities," said Col. Italo Bastianelli, a surgeon for the 41st Fires Bde. "We look at the building, the infrastructure development, equipment, supplies and mentoring with the Iraqi doctors to improve their experiences and capabilities," said Bastianelli.
The 41st Fires Bde. doctors also brought $5,000 worth of medical supplies to the clinic, another aspect of 'Bring on the Docs' that helps to improve the medical care for the people in Wasit.
A mother and her son stand in the waiting hall of the Theeba Clinic in al-Kut.
(Army photo by Spc. Tiffany Dusterhoft)
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
Army father, Air Force son reunite in Iraq
Photo and story by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B
FOB WAR EAGLE - After several months of failed attempts due to either weather problems, schedule conflicts or various other road blocks, a father and son were reunited, Aug. 17, in Iraq.
Army Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Swartz who serves as the bn chaplain for the 3rd Special Troops Bn, 3rd BCT, 4th ID, and his eldest son, Air Force Senior Airman Brian Harding, deployed to Joint Base Balad with the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Sqdrn, were able to spend a few days together at FOB War Eagle in northern Baghdad recently. Each said they cherished the time together and were glad to finally meet up in a country 5,000 miles from home.
Swartz, who served as an infantryman in the late 80s to early 90s, said he's proud his 3 sons have chosen to follow in his footsteps in uniformed service. Harding, who is the oldest, is due to return to his home station in September. Swartz's second oldest son, Nathan, recently completed his tour of duty in Iraq with the Army. His youngest son, Adam, is currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, and is preparing for a deployment in 2009.
"I'm of the opinion, I went first. They followed me. Personally, I think they're crazy for joining the Army. I think I set the example for joining the Air Force," said Harding.
After Brian and Nathan joined the service, Swartz, who was in Seminary at the time, said he was called by God to join up again and serve as a chaplain. After being accepted, he too joined his sons in putting on the uniform. Adam soon followed into military service as well. "Being enlisted before, I'd served my country before. Seeing my boys kind of go the same area, do the enlisted route, it was good to see that - serving their country and doing their duty and doing that with honor," said Swartz.
Through this common military bond, Swartz and his eldest son both said they've been able to share more with each than those that don't wear the uniform. "I would tell them ten times more than I would ever tell my wife Sally. I talk more about my experiences here, and they talk more about their experiences here," Swartz said.
-30-
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Al-Qaeda in Iraq takes more hits (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – CF detained 9 suspected terrorists, including 5 wanted men, during ops around the country targeting AQI on August 24 and August 25.
Using info from an op Jul. 9, CF on August 25, captured a man assessed to be a senior terrorist liaison in Abu Ghraib, about 20 km west of Baghdad. The man is suspected of facilitating the movement of senior terrorist leaders in Baghdad and was detained with one additional suspect.
In Mosul, CF detained 2 suspected terrorists August 25, one of whom is a wanted man allegedly associated with several AQI leaders in the northern city. The wanted man is believed to be involved in attacks on CF.
August 24, in the desert town of Sinjar, about 115 km southwest of Mosul, CF captured 2 wanted men who are reportedly foreign terrorist facilitators along the Iraq-Syria border.
CF in Hawija, about 60 km southwest of Kirkuk, captured a man August 24, who allegedly leads the AQI propaganda network in the area. Intel reports indicate he was trying to link propaganda networks from various parts of the country and consolidate ops.
Two suspected terrorists were detained in Baghdad August 24, during ops targeting AQI senior leaders in the capital.
-30-
All Smiles
An Iraqi girl smiles in excitement as U.S. Soldiers from Alpha Btry, 3rd Bn, 6th FA, 10th Mtn Div, Fort Drum, N.Y., deployed to FOB Warrior, Kirkuk, visit the neighborhood, Aug. 20, 2008.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Pele-Sizelove
-30-
Rewarded
A top performing student is excited to receive a soccer ball for her outstanding performance during an award ceremony at the Altun Kapri city council building, Aug. 20, 2008.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Pele-Sizelove
-30-
Neck and Neck
Soldiers from the 8th Div, Iraqi Army Scouts, MP, and Personal Security Detail units sprint back to their training groups during a group physical fitness workout, Aug. 19, 2008, at Camp Echo.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew
-30-
Thirsty Bird
An Altun Kapri city council member gives water to a bird inside the courtyard of the city council building, Aug. 20, 2008.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Pele-Sizelove
-30-
