Golden Dragons Care for Citizens

Story by Sgt. Christina Mc Cann
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Office

   AL-BLASEM, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi troops joined forces to treat nearly 200 citizens of al-Blasem, Iraq, southwest of Baghdad, Aug. 14.
   Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division, worked together to make the medical mission a success.
   While the medical team screened and treated ailing Iraqis, U.S. and Iraqi soldiers secured the area.
   “The military transition team worked well with their Iraqi army counterparts and provided superb security,” said Capt. Aaron Armetta, a 2-14th Inf. Regt. medical officer. “That’s always key when you have such a large gathering of people in one area.”
   Most patients had minor respiratory problems, such as coughs and colds, and musculoskeletal aches and pains. Medics can usually treat them with over-the-counter medications that could be easily purchased in the U.S., but the Iraqis don’t have that luxury. Some illnesses required prescription medications.
   “A lot of people had gastrointestinal illnesses,” said Lt. Col. Chris McCord, a native of Atlanta who serves as the 2-14th Inf. Regt. battalion surgeon. “We give adults anti-diarrheals, but we can’t treat kids for it.”
   As medics and doctors treated the residents, Iraqi and civil affairs Soldiers handed out humanitarian aid items, bottled water, stuffed toys and soccer balls to children and adults alike.
   “The mission today was an absolute success,” said Armetta, a native of Chicago. “Not only did we foster our relationship with the local Iraqi populace, we enhanced cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi army forces. My medical team was able to work hand-in-hand with four Iraqi medics.”
   “It was one of our better medical operations,” McCord said. “We take care of those we can, and we’re building relationships with the Iraqis.”
   Most importantly, however, it doesn’t take much time or effort to provide care that would otherwise be impossible for the Iraqi residents to receive at any cost.
   “We’re helping the Iraqi people help themselves,” Armetta said. “The smiles on the faces of the Iraqi children and the gratitude we received from the local Iraqi leadership in the village were priceless and made the entire day worth the time and effort.”

Lt. Col. Chris McCord, 2/14th battalion surgeon, listens to an infant's breathing and heart at a combined medical operation in al-Blasem, Iraq. More than 200 Iraqis were given medical treatment in the village. (Photo by SGT Christina Mc Cann, 2nd Bde Combat Team, 10th Mtn Div Public Affairs)
	CPL Andrew Pruneda, a medic with the 2/14th, takes a break during a combined medical operation in al-Blasem, Iraq. (Photo by SGT Christina Mc Cann, 2nd Bde Combat Team, 10th Mtn Div Public Affairs)