Task Force 1-18 and 201st Iraqi National Guard Battalion Give Away School Supplies
(Story submitted by Task Force 1-18 Infantry)
On the morning of October 28, 2004, Soldiers of the Iraqi National Guard hand bookbags to Naif Ali Hindi, middle, the Director of Education in the village of Al-Wynot, who in turn gives them to boys in the 2nd class at the Al-Kindi School for Girls and Boys located in the village of Al-Wynot, Iraq during a goodwill visit to the school.(US Army Photo by SPC Elizabeth Erste)(Released)
OWJA, Iraq- Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion 18th Infantry alongside soldiers from the 201st Iraqi National Guard (ING) Battalion on October 28th delivered school supplies to more than 200 students in the town of Owja, Iraq. Located near Tikrit, Owja is the hometown of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
1ST Lieutenant Matt Angliss, from Redlands CA, said “This is a great opportunity for the Iraqi National Guard and 1st Battalion 18th Infantry to show the children of Owja that we are truly interested in making their future better”.
Soldiers distributed backpacks, pens, pencils, and notebooks to more than 200 students at the main school in Owja. The school is part of a new Iraqi National Guard school sponsorship program.
The newly created ING Civil-Military Operations Officer was instrumental in developing the program with his American counterparts. The aim of the program is to demonstrate to Iraqis that the ING is a credible organization interested in the security and growth of the communities where they are based.
Owja remained strongly anti-coalition until late this summer. Recently, residents have seen the positive results that Coalition Forces and their Iraqi Security Forces counterparts are having in their town. Coalition Forces have recently repaired a critical water pumping station in the town.
Other projects underway include a new town park, street lights, and a new police station.
On the morning of October 28, 2004, Pvt. 2nd Class Elliott, 2nd from right, of A Company (Co.) of 1st Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment (1-18th IN) 1st Infantry Division, together with Soldiers of the Iraqi National Guard (ING), carry sacks full of bookbags into the schoolyard of the Al-Kindi School for Girls and Boys located in the village of Al-Wynot, Iraq during a goodwill visit to the school. (US Army Photo by SPC Elizabeth Erste)(Released)