Army doc delivers democratic baby
Story by Spc. Rick Rzepka
This Week in Iraq Assistant Editor
BAGHDAD — On the eve of Parliamentary elections, a fortuitous birth took place at the 10th Combat Support Hospital here.
On the outskirts of Habbaniyah, 50 miles west of Baghdad near Fallujah, an expectant 38-year-old mother knew she needed help.
Her water had just broken and election curfew restrictions were near, forcing her to make a tough decision.
She knew her midwife could only provide limited care and that if she and her baby were to survive, she would need a miracle.
“Did I save the mother and baby’s lives... maybe,” said Col. Brian Crisp, M.D., who is the chief of obstetrics and gynecology at the hospital. “The bottom line is that you would not electively deliver a breached baby out there,” he said.
Crisp, who has delivered more than a thousand babies during his career, said the mother was breached and labored, meaning that the baby was coming out with her butt down.
“She was the first democratic baby in Iraq and he saved her,” said Capt. Ron White, M.D, an anesthesiologist at the 10th CSH.
The mother came under Crisp’s and the hospital staff’s care through some decisive decision making on the part of Iraqi Army Soldiers who were contacted by the mother’s midwife. The IA Soldiers then shuttled her to a nearby forward operating base, where she was flown into Baghdad.
“It’s a sign,” said the baby’s grateful grandmother on the child’s being born on the day of the election. The baby, whose name is Tamarra, will grow up in a safer and more secure Iraq now, she said. “I just want peace on Earth.”
“This is a very cool thing,” said Crisp. “It’s a nice change to be bringing life into the world. She’s the most spoiled baby in Baghdad right now; all the nurses are clamoring over her.”
Only two babies have been delivered at the CSH, and they were both born on Iraqi election days symbolizing a new era in Iraqi governance.
“A beautiful baby like that can give us hope for the future in this troubled land,” said Crisp.
Polish Prime Minister visits Camp Echo
Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq – Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz met with Multinational Division Central – South Soldiers to wish them “all the best” during the Christmas season.
During Christmas Eve at Camp Echo, the Polish contingent had traditional cuisine, including the Polish Culture Wafer, which they shared with one another.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by an honor guard and the commander of MND CS, MG Piotr Czerwinski. The Prime Minister and his delegation celebrated Christmas Eve with the Polish Soldiers by sharing a wafer.
Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz wished his troops safe service in Iraq and a happy return home. Marcinkiewicz emphasized that he is very proud of his Soldiers and the meeting with them made him much stronger.
After the celebration, Czerwinski familiarized the Prime Minister with the situation within the MND CS area of responsibility and with the tasks and accomplishments of the 5th rotation of the Polish contingent. The Prime Minister met with medical personnel, and Polish Soldiers showed him the equipment used for conducting night operations.
Marcinkiewicz commemorated Polish soldiers who paid the highest price for Iraqi freedom by lighting two, white and red, candles in a military chapel. ** Also the gutless makeup wearing turd Tony Blair visted British troops in Basra in what was a pointless PR exercise.
Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers seize weapons caches
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers are continuing to have success uncovering weapon caches throughout north central Iraq.
Nine caches were uncovered during the past two days, including a huge cache of rockets found near Bayji.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team removed nearly 1,000 rockets of various types and sizes from a cluster of three caches, which were discovered Dec. 20. More than 60 large mortar rounds, 79 detonating fuses, an anti-tank mine and a large amount of machinegun and small arms ammunition were also found at the site.
An explosives ordnance disposal team destroyed a large portion of the find Dec. 21 with a controlled detonation and is preparing to destroy the remaining weapons later today.
The other six caches, spread out from Kirkuk to Balad, yielded a wide variety of weapons, including more than 20 mortar rounds, four more rockets, and 15 rocket-propelled grenade rounds.
Additionally, more than 250 anti-aircraft artillery rounds and an anti-aircraft artillery gun were discovered, including 100 found by a patrol from the Iraqi Army’s 1st Battalion, 4th Division near Ad Dawr Dec. 20.
Caches are normally destroyed where they are found, except in circumstances where a controlled detonation might endanger innocent residents. In those instances, the seized materials are normally moved to a safe location and then destroyed.
** Good piece on the bigotry that has taken over Australia thanks to a blasphemy law dressed up as an anti-vilification law. more on that here also check out the lost budgie blog - link on sidebar for more on this...
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