National Police, Coalition Force Medics Conduct Medical Operation in Tameem

Policemen with the 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division distribute water, supplied by the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, to citizens of Tameem, a village southeast of Baghdad, Jan. 5.

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs
Photos courtesy of 3-1 Cav. Regt.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Medics from the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, a reserve unit from Knoxville, Tenn., currently attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, conducted a medical operation in Tameem, southeast of Baghdad, Jan. 5.

The 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division provided security for the event and used their medics to screen patients as well.

“I am very impressed with the skills of the National Police medics,” said Maj. Anthony Carroll, from Uma, Ariz., a team leader in the 489th CA. “They took the lead and allowed our medics and doctors to focus on the critical patients.”

The operation saw 40 percent more patients arrive for treatment than in previous medical operations held there.

“It’s very gratifying to have an opportunity like this to serve not only my country, but also serve the people of Iraq,” said Sgt. Alfonso Carmona, a team sergeant assigned to 3-1st Cav. Regt. “This shows our concern for the welfare of the community and the generosity of the American people, who not only sponsor us being here, but also send us donations of medicine, toys and candy to give to the Iraqi children.”

Before the arrival of the 3-1st Cav. Regt. to the area, Tameem was used by insurgents as a staging area to move explosives and weapons into Baghdad. Recently, villagers in Tameem came forward and helped Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces by providing information and denying the insurgents territory to operate.

“It is difficult for lies about Americans to be believed when Americans constantly and consistently work to better the lives of the Iraqi people,” Carmona said. “Iraqis see Coalition Forces as honest, generous and impartial because this is what they have experienced when they have contact with us. I will look back on these MEDOPs with great pride after my tour ends.”

The 3-1st Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.