1-10 FA Regt. Soldiers Conduct Tailgate Health Clinic

Staff Sgt. Willie Sigears, from Springfield, Ill., a medic in Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, sifts though medication during a free tailgate health clinic in Nahrwan, Iraq, Jan. 15.

Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Pack, from Knoxville, Tenn., a medic in the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, wraps an Iraqi boy’s arm during a free tailgate health clinic in Nahrwan, Iraq, Jan. 15.

Sgt. Michael Cowan, from Mont Eagle, Tenn., 489th Civil Affairs Company, hands toothbrushes and toothpaste to patients during a free tailgate health clinic in Nahrwan, Iraq, Jan. 15.


Pfc. Kaley Maben, from Houston, a medic in the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, hands medication to Spc. Sean Rolling, from Boston, also a medic, during a free tailgate health clinic in Nahrwan, Iraq, Jan. 15.

align="center"> Pfc. Justin Brock, Georgetown, Del., Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment that is currently attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, searches an Iraqi citizens before allowing him to pass to see the 1-10 FA Regt. and 489th Civil Affairs Company medical personnel during a free tailgate health clinic in Nahrwan, Iraq, Jan. 15. Pfc. Josiah Greer, Orem, Utah, also from Troop B, provides security.

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery conducted a tailgate health clinic in three areas within a brick factory compound in Nahrwan, Jan. 15.

At the factory, the 489th Civil Affairs Company, a reserve unit out of Knoxville, Tenn., along with medical personnel from Headquarters Battery, 1-10th FA, provided free exams and medication to citizens who live or work in the compound.

According to Capt. Jarred Albright, from Lancaster, Pa., commander of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, currently attached to the 1-10th FA, coalition forces had not visited the brick factory to assess their medical needs. He said that when free health clinics are held in Nahrwan, citizens of the brick factory rarely attend.

“We are getting a feel for the area so in the future we can possibly hold one of our full blown med-ops out here,” Albright said.

The Soldiers spent approximately 30 minutes at each location in the compound. Brick factory workers, men and women, lined up to be searched and let in to see one of five medical personnel. Some workers brought their children. All patients were covered in black soot from the factory towers.

“Mostly we saw respiratory and skin problems,” said Staff Sgt. Willie Sigears, from Springfield, Ill., a medic in Headquarters Battery, “We saw a lot of fungal diseases due to the smoke from the factory.”

Medics handed out an assortment of medication primarily consisting of cough syrup and hand cream.

Sgt. Michael Cowan, from Mont Eagle, Tenn., 489th CA, handed out toothbrushes and toothpaste to patients during the mission.

“They don’t have adequate health care in this area,” Cowan said. “Especially their dental care is sub-par. By giving them the basic stuff, we are making a difference.”

The 1-10 FA Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March, 2007.