Kids of Iraq

by Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

1/21/2009 - BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL ZONE, Iraq (AFNS) – Large walls encircle blocks of buildings and barriers control the flow of traffic. Armored military vehicles roll along the sides of cars and trucks as they move through this ancient city. Colorful signs and green trees brighten the bleak apartment complex. A small store selling fresh fruits and vegetables is the only sign of life with only a few customers shopping. 

Everyone stops in their tracks to focus on Americans. Soon local children will be overjoyed. Baghdad, the largest city in Iraq and the third largest in the Middle East, is considered to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Set inside the city along the Tigris River is an area known as the International Zone. The IZ is occupied by U.S. and international military members, foreign diplomats, Iraqi government officials and more than 5,000 Iraqi residents.

With the help of a group of military volunteers, joint expeditionary tasking Airmen with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 4 and the 732nd Expeditionary Air Group Religious Support Team foster community interaction to help the new Iraqi police win the trust of the people within the IZ.

Until recently, the IZ was patrolled by 732nd ESFS Det. 4 Airmen. Now, they mentor and assist the Iraqi police to police their own.

Following the concept of community policing, which is a strategy used by many police departments in the United States to help build trust with the citizens they protect, the Airmen and Iraqis interact with residents of the IZ. The goal is to help fight crime with the help of the community by indentifying crimes and criminals.

“It’s good stuff anytime we get a chance to make this kind of contact with the Iraqis,” said Capt. Ben Washburn, the 732nd ESFS Det. 4 operations officer deployed from Vogelweh, Germany. “When we show up, no one comes out at first, but then the word spreads fast and they start to come out and greet us.”

Recently, the 732nd ESFS Det. 4, religious support team, and a volunteer group of servicemembers called “Kids of Iraq” went on foot-patrol into an apartment complex inside the IZ. The Kids of Iraq received donations from toys and clothes, to school supplies sent from people throughout the United States.

Led by Captain Washburn, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., the group exited their armored vehicles and approached an area of apartments. Small children began to watch as they approached with large boxes and toys. An interpreter talked to them to let them know it’s safe.

As the children approached with caution, parents and other adults observed the activity from windows and doorways.

“The best part of this deployment is the interaction with the Iraqis,” said Senior Airman Jesse Armstrong, a security forces journeyman deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and native of Battle Creek, Iowa. “I like to watch how even the littlest things make the children’s faces light up.”

Toys and school supplies were passed out to a growing number of children who seemed to appear from nowhere. They smiled and laughed and, just like that, bonds were formed.

“To give to the children who have seen the war was a wonderful thing,” said Ali, a member of the Iraqi police stationed in the IZ. “Most of these children today have lost at least one parent.”

Chaplain (Capt.) Kelvin Francis of the 732nd AEG Religious Support Team and deployed from Shaw AFB, S.C., entertained some of the children by juggling balls. They ran to watch as he threw the balls into the air with a smile and laugh.

“We are happy to help the 732nd ESFS Det. 4 police in their mission to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis,” said Chaplain Francis, a native of Jacksonville, Fla.

Even as the toys ran out, more of the neighborhood came over to the U.S. servicemembers, and all had happy faces and many of the adults wanted to shake their hands.

“We want to say thank you for your efforts for the children,” said Mohamed Mahder of the Baghdad neighborhood. “I have noticed a lot of change since the United States came and brought democracy to the dark ages of Saddam.”

“It’s great to give toys and clothes to the Iraqi children,” said Maj. John Northon, the 732nd ESFS Det. 4 commander and a native of Plympton, Mass., deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. “Our efforts are making a difference in the lives of these children.” 

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123132182

(Photos of event posted on .mil link and under 10 Jan 09 on Photos page)

by Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

(Photos of event posted on .mil link and under 10 Jan 09 on Photos page)

Soldier in Iraq hopes to lift children from war’s depths

By Daveen Rae Kurutz
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, November 27, 2008

Ted Froats’ Iraqi experience in four-and-a-half months has run the gamut from unnerving to comforting.

A combat correspondent in the Air Force for the past five years, Froats wants to leave Iraq better than he found it, starting with its children.

“We know that somewhere, in one of those schools, is a future leader of Iraq,” Froats, 25, of Oakdale wrote in an e-mail from Iraq. “We have the power to help ensure that future leader gets an education in reading and math and science, rather than an education in violence and intimidation and genocide.”

Earlier this year, Froats and several other airmen started Kids of Iraq, a charity dedicated to providing the children of Iraq with school supplies, clothing and toys. Since then, it has distributed more than 150 boxes of donations to schools throughout the country.

While the charity’s founders are members of the military — the idea came from Air Force Capt. Marci Hoffman last year — Kids of Iraq is not a military organization.

Since being stationed at Joint Base Balad, Froats has come to care for the children around him. High temperatures throughout Iraq leave the sand at scorching temperatures — so hot, it burns children’s bare feet, he said.

“The look in a child’s eyes when they receive something as simple as a pair of sandals … it really makes you realize what a huge difference we’re all making,” said Froats, a 2001 West Allegheny High School graduate. “And by that, I don’t just mean the Kids of Iraq volunteers, but more importantly, the people back home who donated that pair of sandals. Without the donations from back home, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful in helping these children.”

Froats enlisted in the Air Force in 2004 and has spent time in South Korea, the Azores and at a base in California. He volunteered to go to Iraq, where he films news stories and documentaries. His work has appeared on CNN, ABC, CBS and MTV.

His family supports his charitable work — his mother tells friends and volunteers around Pittsburgh about it, while his sister started a Facebook group to encourage donations. Froats has received support from fellow airmen who want to improve the life of children in Iraq.

“For a lot of us, the program is the only way we can lend a helping hand,” said Jason Epley, 23, of Oregon, an Airman 1st Class who volunteer for the charity. “Not all of us are engineers going out into the local communities to help rebuild (Iraq).”

The outpouring of donations has left Froats and other volunteers scrambling for time, juggling their charitable work with military obligations. It’s a burden they’re willing to bear.

“These kids will be influencing politics in this part of the world in the not-too-distant future,” said Air Force Capt. Michael Steward, 39, of San Diego. “Simply put, I want them to have some positive memories, think of us kindly and remember us for our love.”

Daveen Rae Kurutz can be reached at dkurutz@tribweb.com or .

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