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BAGHDAD, Iraq (June 2, 2008) - The line extended out the gate
and around the corner, and it disappeared up the narrow street as
residents of Dehna, a village west of Baghdad, lined up waiting for
aid May 29.
The mood was the same at every point in the line: excitement,
relief and gratitude. Whether it was a woman there for her family
or one of the scores of children waiting for a free toy and maybe
some candy, all were grateful to the soldiers who brought them help
and hope.
Commando soldiers of the 6th Company, 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi
Army Division, distributed food with U.S. soldiers from their
partnered unit, the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 21st
Infantry Regiment "Gimlets," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, part
of Multinational Division Baghdad.
Since taking control of the area in January, the U.S. and Iraqi
soldiers have made great strides in conducting combined operations
to secure the population of Baghdad's Abu Ghraib district. This
humanitarian aid mission is an example of how well the units have
learned to work together.
"I was surprised how quickly the resources came together, and at
the capabilities of the commando company," said Army Capt. David
Uthlaut, a native of Charleston, S.C., and commander of Company C,
1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attached to the Gimlets.
The combined effort was a result of the village sheik expressing
his village's need for food. Uthlaut said he immediately turned to
the Iraqi 24th Brigade for help. "They were eager to get the
mission under way as soon as possible," he said.
The Iraqi commandos have proven themselves in several past
operations with Gimlet soldiers, but this was the first mission of
this kind the two units conducted together. It proved to be a big
success.
"They already have a reputation for being tactically
proficient," said Army Spc. Aaron Miller, a native of San Antonio,
and infantryman with Company C. "Now the people also see a
different side -- one that cares and protects."
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