Airman joins Soldiers in aiding camps in Iraq
by Army Spc. Rebekah Lampman
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
1/6/2009 - CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq (AFNS) -- An Airman and Soldiers here conducted a humanitarian operation Dec. 16 to deliver aid to citizens of Bedouin camps near the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Slysz, the NCO in charge of COB Adder's criminal intelligence department from the 732nd Provost Marshal Office Det. 5, recently became aware of a personal security detachment's work with the nomadic Bedouin people and said he wanted to get involved.
The personal security detachment staff has visited the camps three to four times per week during the last six months.
"I noticed when I went out with (the personal security detachment), they gave out things like food, blankets and personal hygiene products," said Sergeant Slysz, a native of Sacramento, Calif., who is deployed from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. "I got my unit and people back home to donate things. The kids back home have really helped a lot."
Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Albrecht, a platoon sergeant from the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, handed out food, toys and other supplies during the visit, while Sergeant Slysz collected information and got a feel for the area.
"It gives my guys an opportunity to see how the Bedouins live," said Sergeant Albrecht, a native of Grand Forks, N.D. "When we do security patrols, it shows our presence. When we stop and visit with them, it shows we're interested in the people, and we really care."
"I like it. Everyone's out here," Sergeant Slysz said. "We're from different backgrounds, but we're here for the same fight. We wear different uniforms, but we're all doing the same thing."
Sergeant Slysz is deployed to a joint expeditionary tasking as part of the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, headquartered at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Approximately 1,500 Airmen are assigned to such taskings throughout Iraq.
"He's a great guy to work with," Sergeant Albrecht said. "It feels really good to be able to do something special with someone from another branch of the military."
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