Coalition Medics Conduct Operation With Iraqi Police

An Iraqi policeman with 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, distributes water supplied by 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, to a citizen of Tameem, a village southeast of Baghdad, Jan. 5, 2008. Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto, USA   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Iraq’s 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, provided security for the event and used its medics to screen patients.

“I am very impressed with the skills of the national police medics,” said Army Maj. Anthony Carroll, from Yuma, Ariz., a team leader in 489th Civil Affairs Battalion. “They took the lead and allowed our medics and doctors to focus on the critical patients.”

The operation saw 40 percent more patients arrive for treatment than in previous medical operations held there.

“It’s very gratifying to have an opportunity like this to serve not only my country, but also serve the people of Iraq,” said Army Sgt. Alfonso Carmona, a team sergeant assigned to 3-1st Cavalry Regiment. “This shows our concern for the welfare of the community and the generosity of the American people, who not only sponsor us being here, but also send us donations of medicine, toys and candy to give to the Iraqi children.”

Before the arrival of 3-1st Cavalry Regiment to the area, insurgents used Tameem as a staging area to move explosives and weapons into Baghdad. Recently, villagers in Tameem came forward and helped coalition and Iraqi security forces by providing information and denying the insurgents territory to operate.

“It is difficult for lies about Americans to be believed when Americans constantly and consistently work to better the lives of the Iraqi people,” Carmona said. “Iraqis see coalition forces as honest, generous and impartial, because this is what they have experienced when they have contact with us. I will look back on these medops with great pride after my tour ends.”

The 3-1st Cavalry Regiment is assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.

(Army Spc. Ben Hutto serves with 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)