Iraqis get help from Coalition forces

  • Published
  • By Army Spc. Rebekah Lampman
  • 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq --  Citizens of Bedouin camps located in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah near Contingency Operating Base Adder are receiving continued help from Coalition forces through humanitarian aid operations. 

An operation, Dec. 16, included Soldiers from 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and an Airman of the 732nd Provost Marshals Office. 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Albrecht, is a platoon sergeant with the 4th STB for the personal security detachment that travels to the Bedouin camps three to four times each week. 

"It gives my guys an opportunity to see how they live," he said. "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." 

Bedouins are people who frequently roam from place to place. Albrecht's team has consistently visited the four camps in their region during their six months in Iraq. 

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Slysz, with the 732nd PMO, recently became aware of the PSD's work for the people of southern Iraq and wanted to get involved. 

"I noticed when I went out with them (Albrecht and the PSD), they gave out things like food, blankets and personal hygiene products," said Sergeant Slysz, a native of Sacramento, Calif. "So I got my unit and people back home to donate things; the kids back home have really helped a lot." 

The Edwards AFB Child Development Center and the Youth Center Annex donated shoes and blankets to the cause. 

Sergeant Albrecht, who hails from Grand Forks, N.D., handed out food, toys and other supplies during the visit, while Sergeant Slysz, a security forces personnel with Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., was there to collect intelligence and get a feel for the area. 

"Sergeant Slysz is a great guy to work with," said Sergeant Albrecht. "It feels really good to be able to do something special with someone from another branch of the military." 

"I like it...everyone's out here," said Sergeant Slysz. "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." 

(The 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs contributed to this story)