Another part of the MEDCAP was personal hygiene lessons. The classes taught the children how to brush their teeth, tips when they have a sore throat, and the importance of washing their hands. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kathleen Leach, taught the personal hygiene classes to the boys, while another member of the team taught the girls' class. “This was the most rewarding mission I’ve done. I feel like we positively affected the local populace, and it was nice to teach the children health and sanitation,” said Leach. “We were able to give back to the community.” The female engagement team plans to do many more missions for young girls and women.
A shura held Jan. 12 was the 2nd in a series of ongoing meetings at FOB Hughie, and served as a step toward fulfilling Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Pres. Barack Obama’s directive to give the GoA full autonomy in securing their nation by 2011. “We want to show them what can be achieved simply by talking to each other, and ultimately, working together in the fight,” said Army Maj. Andrew McDonald, TF Rough Riders ops officer.
However, what is on paper will help the SF clear their respective communities of criminal elements. Military legal professionals from Combined Joint TF-82 and TF Mountain Warrior spoke to the group about evidence collection and working within the Afghan law.
“Our job is to ensure that both the Americans and Afghans are tracking on what kind of evidence is necessary, in the Afghan court system, to guarantee prosecution of the individuals that we're going after,” Army Maj. Kaiesha Wright, CJTF-82 chief of military justice and Afghan prosecutions, explained. “It's integral to the counter-insurgency piece that we have solid packets, witness statements, and citizens willing to speak against these criminals, collected by our ANP partners to keep them behind bars, off our battlefield, and out of the Afghan communities.”
Army 1st Sgt. Troy Arrowsmith, the 1st sgt for Paktya PRT who helped oversee the American component to the mission, said, “the whole purpose behind today was to show a different face to the populous, to say ‘hey, we’re here to help you guys."
Soldiers of 3rd Plt Zormat, 92nd MP Co., 709th Bn, 18th MP Bde, and 1st Plt, A Co., 1st Bn, 121st Inf Regt assisted with security and supervision at the request of ANA Capt. Ghulam Habiib. Afghan cmdr. In addition, Staff Sgt. Quitze Garcia, a civil affairs NCO for Paktya PRT, used her skills as a medic to help some of the civilians. She administered very basic health care to about 75 women and children, and distributed about 40 bottles of one-a-day vitamins. “For me it was a very successful mission because we were able to engage with the females,” Garcia said, adding that women in the area don’t often have a chance to talk with others.At the end of the meeting with the village elders, one of the locals asked if Arrowsmith had anything to say. “We're here to help,” he said. “We want to make a safer Afghanistan so that we can go home to our families, too.”
367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
PB HAMIYAH - As a 2nd Bn., 69th Armor Regt. Soldier looks on, a needy farmer from Khidr, signs a contract at a local shaykh's home that will provide his farm with an irrigation well, Jan. 12. The 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID civil affairs units have been working to provide economic support projects for the local widows and poor families in the Northern part of Babil prov.
A widow from Khidr signs a contract at a local shaykh's home that will provide her with a bee-keeping farm, Jan. 12. "Honey bees thrive in this area," said Sgt. Brian Wilson, attached to "B" Co, 2nd Bn. "It will really just be a matter of the widows waiting for them to make honey and draining it off."
Staff Sgt. Jon Kirkendall, a squad leader in "B" Co, sorts through contracts during a civil affairs mission in Khidr.
Sgt. Brian Wilson congratulates a farmer in Khidr after he signs an economic project contract that will provide him with 30 turkeys, and feed to support them. The contracts, aimed at helping the needy, will give struggling families a way to support their families, without having to turn to terrorist cells for support.
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Photos by Spc. Daniel Schneider
BAGHDAD - Col. Alex Stojadinovic, chief surgeon assigned to Medical TF 28, explains to Iraqi surgeons how to treat an internal abdominal injury during a medical conference held at Al-Muthana Military Hospital Jan. 18.
Lt. Col. Alshami, a rheumatologist specializing in medical rehabilitation, speaks to medical personnel from U.S. Div-Center about Ankylosing Spondylitis, a medical condition that affects the spine and joints, which can worsen with rest and inactivity.
Lt. Col. Vincent Barnhart, surgeon of U.S. Div-Center, meets with Col. Amir, the cmdr of Al-Muthana Military Hospital, to donate medical journals and texts to the hospital. The donation has effectively doubled the size of Al-Muthana Military Hospital's medical library.
By Army Sgt. Lindsey Bradford
Rivera immediately dove in after the sinking vehicle to save whoever was inside. He was able to drag the driver, the only occupant, out of a window of the submerged vehicle and get him to safety until a medical team arrived. Rivera said the only thing going through his mind was making sure that everyone got out safely. His actions earned him the Soldier’s Medal at a Dec. 22 ceremony here.
"Staff Sergeant Rivera saved the driver's life at great risk to his own. That's exactly what we expect of our NCOs, placing someone above himself," said Army Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., comm. gen. of MNC-I, which became USF-I earlier this month. Before pinning on the medal, Jacoby took a moment to tell the story of the Soldier's Medal, which is awarded to any servicemember of the U.S. or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, distinguished him or her by heroism not involving battle with an enemy. "This really is an honor," Jacoby said, as he prepared to place the medal on Rivera's lapel. It was the first Soldier's Medal Jacoby has awarded in his 32-year Army career. Rivera joined the Army in Feb. 2002, after serving as a life support tech in the Air NG. "I always wanted to be a soldier,” he said. “At first, I joined the AF for the education, but I just really wanted to be in the fight." Rivera had his chance to join the fight when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. It was there that he provided support to safeguard CF and received a Bronze Star Medal for valor following an Aug. 12, 2004 battle. Rivera, serving as a machine gunner, was struck by an IED that caused severe shrapnel wounds to his face and leg, for which he received a Purple Heart. Pentz, the 1st sgt who saved his life after the blast, always will be one of his heroes, Rivera said. "He's one of the first NCOs I ever looked up to. He taught me everything I know, and he represents everything the Army stands for," Rivera said. Taking a cue from Pentz, Rivera strives to provide his junior soldiers with the same knowledge and mentorship he received. "As an NCO, you have to care, not just about soldiers, but about how you look and how you carry yourself," he said. "I always tell my guys to do their best no matter what. Take whatever menial task you get and exploit it. Make it look like you're the best at it. Even if it's cleaning a toilet, do it better than anyone else. People will notice that, and continue to give you more responsibility. If you can't be trusted to do the small things, how can they trust you to do anything else?" In 2005, the 25th ID recognized Rivera's achievements, and selected him to be the model for a memorial honoring the fallen at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Rivera represents a modern-day soldier, and is seen standing, paying homage, and final honors to a fallen comrade at the site of a soldier's cross. "They call me a hero, but I'm a patriot. The true heroes are the ones that did not make it back home," Rivera said.United States Forces - Iraq PAO