Airmen from the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron take a load of soccer balls to a school near Umm Quasr, Iraq, Wednesday, Feb. 7. The donation is part of an area-wide effort in near Forward Operating Base Bucca to aid the surrounding citizens in maintaining their newly returned province. Al-Basra became the ninth province in Iraq to be transitioned to Iraqi provincial control in January. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon C. Hubbard, 300th MP BDE PAO.

Airmen from the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, delivered dozens of supplies to the students. The supplies included paper, coloring books, pencils, crayons and hand-sewn book bags, as well as a dozen soccer balls.  Many of the materials were donated by Girl Scout Troop 76 from Cornwall, N.Y. 

The 887th ESFS is charged with the external security of Forward Operating Base Bucca, under the command of the 300th Military Police Brigade.

“Taking a diversion from routine patrols lets us meet and interact with the local populous,” said Staff Sgt. Matt Hamblen, the patrol squad leader.

Speaking with the headmaster of the school, Hamblen explained the items were all provided by Americans who support the Iraqi people and want to see them succeed.

In January, Al-Basra became the ninth province to be returned to the Iraqi Government.  Since that time, the Army, Navy and Air Force service members at Camp Bucca in the southern province have assisted the Iraqi population with healthcare, supplies and other humanitarian aid.