Airmen help shape tomorrow's Iraq

  • Published
  • By Army Spc. Brandon Hubbard
  • 300th Military Police Brigade
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq (AFPN) --  Airmen from the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron delivered dozens of supplies and athletic equipment Feb. 6 to Safwan school students located near Umm Qasr, Iraq.

The Airmen deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., brought the donations as part of an area-wide effort around Camp Bucca by American and coalition forces 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. Since that time, the Army, Navy and Air Force servicemembers at Camp Bucca in the southern province have assisted the Iraqi population with health care, supplies and other humanitarian aid.

Airmen of the 887th ESFS is charged with the external security of Camp Bucca, under the command of the Army's 300th Military Police Brigade.

"Taking a diversion from routine patrols lets us meet and interact with the local populous," said Staff Sgt. Matt Hamblen, a patrol squad leader with the 887th ESFS.

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

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