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Building bridges one smile at a time

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Baghdad --  What happens when you mix people from different cultures, some care packages and the sound of children's laughter? For the men and women stationed throughout the Victory Base Complex, the answer could be summed up as "an incredible experience."

More than 45 Soldiers and Airmen from the VBC gathered together at the Square K facility on Sather AB July 29th, to pack an assortment of care packages and then delivered them the next day to Iraqi soldiers and their families living in a nearby compound known as Area 4.

Named the Good Neighbor Program, this initiative is designed to foster better relationships between the members of the U.S. and Iraqi militaries.

"Oftentimes, wives of these (Iraqi) soldiers are unable to leave the compound to get some of the basic household supplies they need due to the dangers they face because of the nature of their husband's job," said Tech. Sgt. Misty Moreno, 447th AEG PERSCO team member and coordinator for the GNP. "This is a way for us to help provide them with some care packages and spend time building relationships with the families."

Because the program relies on donations, the contents of the care packages can vary; but typically consist of needed items such as toiletries and other supplies that are relatively easy to find in the United States, but can be hard to come by for these families. Toys and games for the children are also normally included.

According to Delaware Air National Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Josh Line, who is currently assigned to the 447th Civil Engineering Squadron, handing out care packages is just one aspect of the GNP. The main focus is to be good neighbors and spend time with the families to build better relations.

"It was absolutely great being able to interact with the kids," said Line. "I volunteer for a program with our church back home that is very similar to the Good Neighbor Program. The one thing I found very interesting is that kids are just kids, anywhere in the world you go."
Line, who is on his second tour to Iraq, says that things are different this time around.

"On my first tour to Iraq, our team really didn't have an opportunity to interact with the local populace," he said. "This time around, it is totally different. We get the chance to meet the people who work and live in this country. It is fantastic being able to immerse yourself in their culture. It really helps us focus on why we are here."
The overall focus of the program is to build a better future for Iraq. One way to do this is by building strong relationships with the future of Iraq - the children.

"The children really are the future of this country and they are just an absolute joy to interact with," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Everhard, and Air Force member assigned to the Iraqi Training and Advising Mission here. "The kids try to teach us Arabic and ask that we teach them English. One of the biggest differences in being deployed verses being at home is you don't really get a chance to see or interact with children. They are so warm and affectionate. They all want to give you hugs and kisses. It's a very heartwarming experience."
For one volunteer, taking a few hours out of his day to volunteer has provided a welcome respite from the day-to-day grind.

"This has proven to be a fantastic break from the normal routine," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Todd, also a member of the ITAM-AF. "I volunteered back in April for this program and now have the opportunity to volunteer again. It really is a great opportunity to talk to the families of the soldiers who are defending their own country."
It is this fresh perspective on patriotism from an Iraqi perspective that Todd says was an unexpected bonus of the GNP.

"This has been a great experience and a very humbling one. These guys (Iraqi soldiers) are the true patriots," he said. "Think about it, when people back home see us at the airport in our uniform it is fairly common for them to come up to us and thank us for our service. If the Iraqi soldiers were to show up at an airport in their uniform, it could make them a target. They live with this threat every day. This is just a small way we can express our gratitude for what they are doing for their own country."

While considered by many of the volunteers to be a very successful effort to build better relationships with the Iraqis, the Good Neighbor Program isn't the only initiative underway. According to Moreno, there are also plans in the works to help establish a Housing Council designed to help those who live on Area 4 to take a more active role in planning and running their community.

"This is a popular program because it supports why we are here," said Moreno. "We are here to assist the Iraqi people to one day become self-sufficient. That is attractive to most military personnel and probably explains why this program, which was started three years ago by some junior enlisted members at Sather Air Base, has grown to include participant of all ranks and services throughout the entire VBC."

Moreno mentioned that it is only through such a wide base of support from all the volunteers that this program has been so successful. She added that even those who cannot get the time for a face-to-face visit with their Iraqi neighbors, still contribute through their own personal donations or donations sent in by friends, family, and churches.

"Our eyes are towards the future of Iraq," she said. "This is an historic time to be here; both for the Soldiers and Airmen, but also for the people of Iraq as we transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn. The goal is a free, independent and self-sufficient Iraq. What we are doing here directly support those goals."