Humanitarian Aid Reaches Lebanon

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael B. W. Watkins

BEIRUT, Lebanon - U.S. Navy High Speed Vessel Two Swift (HSV 2) delivered more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Beirut, Lebanon.

More than $2 million of relief was donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and, with the help of the Islamic Relief Organization (IRO), was immediately disbursed to approximately 20,000 needy Lebanese citizens.

Diana Sufian, an independent project coordinator, brought the IRO and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints together for the coordinated relief effort.

“We’re true humanitarians,” said Sufian. “We’re reaching out feeding the children who are hungry.” Sufian expressed her gratitude for the U.S. Navy’s support and interest in delivering the supplies.

“I want to put America’s face on this,” said Sufian. “I want the whole world to see that America cares, and see what these brave men and women in uniform are doing out here.”

TF Warrior brings medical aid to Afghan villages

By Capt. Lawrence Sekajipo

2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Coalition and Afghan doctors conducted a three-day village medical outreach operation in July, offering much needed medical aid to various villages in Northern Deh Chopan District, Zabul province.

The 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Warrior, out of Fort Polk, La., together with a medical and veterinary team from the 94th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Echo Company also out of Fort Polk, conducted the VMO.

Security for this operation was provided by the Afghan National Army and Creek Company, TF Warrior combat team.

The medical team treated approximately 450 Afghans in Larzab and 160 in Baylough. The veterinarian team treated nearly 430 farm animals and distributed de-worming medication to all of them. It has been known that animals in this area are susceptible to worms, which could cause a serious threat if not controlled.

The Glass is Half-Full

By Gen. George W. Casey Jr.
Commander, Multi-National Force – Iraq

This week Iraqis celebrated another significant advance toward their sovereign democracy. Today the 4th Iraqi Army Division assumed responsibility for operations from the American 101st Airborne Division. Half the Iraqi Army divisions are now in the lead for planning and controlling security operations in Iraq.

Although Iraqis still suffer horrendous brutality at the hands of death squads and terrorists, the strategic glass in Iraq is half-full. Now, after decades of dictatorship and oppression, Iraqis mark another milestone on their march to freedom and security self-reliance.

Despite the efforts of those who would wrest newfound freedom from their grasp, the Iraqi people and their security forces continue to press inexorably forward. As Iraqi security forces stand up, their Coalition partners can stand down. Indeed, 4th Division’s assumption of responsibility for controlling counterinsurgency operations releases some Coalition forces to support operations elsewhere in the nation.

Iraqi Soldiers Thankful for Coalition Support

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT — Coalition forces joined with their Iraqi army counterparts to do something all Soldiers like to do, fire weapons.

Weapons firing was held for newly enlisted Iraqi soldiers, “the jundhi,” at Forward Operating Base Dagger and was planned and conducted solely by the Iraqi army.

“We mainly just provided them with a little input,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Barrick of the 101st Airborne Division. “We were there more as observers than anything.”