Air Force medics treat Iraqis

  • Published
  • By Capt. Miki Kristina Gilloon
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq (AFPN) --  A three-member medical team from the 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here recently helped treat more than 60 Iraqi citizens during a medical and humanitarian assistance mission.

Capt. Jeff Skinner, Senior Master Sgt. Tommie Tracey and Senior Airman Matthew Read provided their assistance when asked by the U.S. Army’s 414th Civil Affairs Special Operations Battalion officials, who spearheaded the program.

The Iraqis ranging from 2 1/2 week-old infants to citizens 70 years in age were lined up at a U.S. Army-renovated school in Swabe awaiting treatment or medical advice for their conditions. The village is located about a quarter mile from here.

“We saw a range of illnesses -- everything from the common cold, to sore throats and asthma,” said Skinner, a flight surgeon.

For one premature infant, the team gave the child’s mother nutritional advice on how to keep her baby healthy. They also treated two bedsores on the infant’s back, said Tracey, of the 101st ERQS medical element.

“Making them understand that keeping the injuries clean, ensuring the baby is off her back, washing hands, and keeping the injuries somewhat covered were small (things) the mother didn’t know could make a big difference,” she said.

Although most patients had common ailments, some had chronic illnesses like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. The team provided the best care they could, according to officials. One mother had a 2-year-old child with cerebral palsy.

“(She) didn’t truly understand this was a condition that was going to greatly affect the quality of life her child was going to have,” Tracey said. “I think one thing we provided … was an explanation to a lot of these conditions.”

At one point, Tracey showed photos of her own son to an Iraqi mother.

“She saw my son, and you could just see (her smile). It was two moms coming together. You just lost sight of where you were,” she said. “They saw that ultimately it was a matter of us really wanting to be there and wanting to help.”

Skinner, too, felt connected with his patients.

“Just to feel that connection makes me feel that much more committed to what I do,” Skinner said. “The average Iraqi just wants to be healthy, and support and love their families.”

Being given the chance to help the local community was a rewarding experience and a milestone in developing better relations with the Iraqis, Read said.

“To see (the Iraqis) smile back at you and say ‘thank you’, and … to see that they were grateful … we were out there for them, (were) the best (parts) about this,” Read said.