An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Ali Airmen provide comfort to the 10th Iraqi Army Division

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scot Saldukas
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group
ALI BASE, Iraq --  On August 11, Airmen from Ali Base, Iraq, donated 70 bed frames and mattresses and more than 40 wall lockers to the 10th Iraqi Army Division at Camp Mittica, Iraq.

Building relations between Iraqi and Coalition Forces is a major role servicemembers play while deployed to Iraq. Bridging the gap between nations is accomplished many different ways and one way is by providing a healthier living environment for Iraqi Soldiers.

Before the donation, Iraqi Soldiers were sleeping on the floor or the roof tops of their facilities with a thin pad as a mattress.

Along with new sleeping arrangements, Iraqi Soldiers now have storage space for clothing and uniforms from the donated wall lockers. Prior to receiving the wall lockers the soldiers had their clothes in piles on the floor which attracted insects and dust.

The donation was made possible by Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron and the 407th Air Expeditionary Group. Lt. Col. Bradford Montgomery, 407th EFSS commander, overseas all lodging and housing issues for the Air Force on Ali Base, which allowed him to designate the type and number of items that were donated.

August 29, Colonel Montgomery visited Camp Mittica and was given the opportunity to observe the improvements that were made. As a part of the visit, Colonel Montgomery was accompanied by a translator and sat down for an impromptu meeting with Col. Muhammad Abd Al-Muhssan Khalaf Mahd, who oversees fuel operations at Camp Mittica.

Colonel Muhammad expressed his gratitude for the donations that the Air Force supplied the Iraqi Army.

"Thank you for everything you have offered and we appreciate everything you have done for us," he said. "The beds are a dramatic improvement for the soldiers here." 

Colonel Montgomery, deployed from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Ft. Worth, Texas, noted a sense of satisfaction in having an opportunity to help the Iraqi Soldiers, not just by providing them furniture, but also from knowing that their living and health conditions are now improved.

"I appreciate them allowing us to come out and see the difference the beds and wall lockers will make in the day-to-day life of the soldiers," said Colonel Montgomery, a native of Gurdon, Ark. "It was an eye opening experience...to see their living conditions and know that we are able to help a little is a good thing."

The visit also gave Colonel Montgomery the opportunity to determine if other items might benefit the Iraqi Army.

The need for washing machines in facilities was apparent from the harsh living conditions and the 407th EFSS has offered eight washers from its laundry facilities. Wood and building materials are also in high need at Camp Mittica. Soldiers were in the process of constructing additional living quarters, and their own dining tables with the excess wood materials they had.

"The bed donation has without a doubt enhanced the quality of life for the Iraqi Army Soldiers... previously they were sleeping on wood beds with no mattresses," said Army 1st Lt. Antonio Chavez, Logistics Training Advisor Team with the 121st Brigade Support Battalion, who works with Iraqi Soldiers at Camp Mittica. "The Iraqi Soldiers are very grateful and happy to have such a productive and helpful partnership with Coalition Forces."

At this time there are 151 Iraqi Soldiers serving at Camp Mittica, of which, roughly 100 of the beds are used at the same time. In the near future, the 407th EFSS is scheduled to donate more furniture that will accommodate all of the Iraqi Soldiers in need of a good night's sleep at Camp Mittica.