Iraqi Policeman Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, visits with school children in Baghdad while delivering computers, television sets, power supplies, office furniture and a water dispenser to the Ibn Yakhdan elementary school in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kirk Luedeke.

BAGHDAD

The mission was the first of its kind in the area by the NP battalion and its Coalition counterpart, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany, said Iraqi Policeman Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd Brigade, 1^st Iraqi National Police Division.

The police commander not only took the opportunity to deliver supplies to the Arbid and Ibn Yakhdan schools, but made an assessment of the facilities and the surrounding communities as well.

“This is a good beginning, but I want you to know that we will make the area safe for the children. We want to help you to clean up the trash in this neighborhood and make the people proud to live here,” he told Ms. Noor, the headmistress of the Arbid school in southwest Rashid.

As he spoke, members of his battalion carried boxes of supplies into the building, which represented progress and hope for the children who will be able to make use of this equipment to enhance their education.

“Thank you for helping to care for the children,” Noor said to the police commander during their meeting. “They are your key to safety for the future of Iraq.”

U.S. Army Maj. Joe Pierce, the commander’s National Police adviser, said the operation was a resounding success indicating better days ahead as the new NP unit begins operating in the area.

“He assured the administrators that in addition to securing the schools, he was concerned about securing the surrounding areas,” said Pierce. “This was a great chance to get to know the population.”

U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Evetts, the company fire support officer said, “It shows that we have good partnership- the National Police, Coalition forces and NPTT teams -- we all work together.”

For U.S. Soldiers who participated, the successful operation meant a great deal more than just dropping off supplies.

“I think just getting school supplies to the kids shows them that we’re trying to help their education,” said U.S. Army Staff. Sgt. Jeremy S. Mutart, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, whose unit is attached to Company A. “It also shows the American people that we’re not just trying to combat the terrorists here, but we’re trying to help rebuild Iraq from little kids, all the way up to the top.”

As the Iraqi and U.S. troops drove away from the schools, children waved from the windows, reminding everyone of where the real impact of the day’s activities lay.

(By Maj. Kirk Luedeke, 4th BCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

·        Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team 2, including elements of the Iraqi Army’s 2nd and 3rd Brigades of the 7th Division, launched Operation Harris Ba’sil (Valiant Guardian) on March 26, to interdict and disrupt enemy routes and safe havens outside of the Euphrates River Valley.  

·        Iraqi Army troops swept into the city in the early morning hours April 6 to disrupt militia activity and return security and stability here backto the government of Iraq.