Hero of the week

Man’s best friend keeps Camp Victory safe

Story and photo by
Pfc. Joshua R. Ford
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office

CAMP VICTORY — Servicemembers from the Air Force, Army and Navy are protecting Camp Victory’s entry control points, not with weapons, but with their sense of smell.

Eighteen K-9s and their handlers attached to XVIII Airborne Corps, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, are on the job. The dogs sniff out explosives and identify car bombs, stopping terrorists before they can get onto Camp Victory.

“There are several types of explosive materials we are looking for out there,” said Army Sgt. William Brown, explosive dog handler, HHC, XVIII Abn. Corps. These explosive materials include C-4, dynamite and the not-so-common ingredients of other explosives.

The Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen train their dogs by conducting mock bomb sweeps with live explosives or taking them through a basic obedience course the handlers built.

“Our main reason for the basic obedience course is to challenge the dogs with unfamiliar surroundings, like having to jump through a window or run on narrow surfaces,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leon Gray, explosive dog handler, HHC, XVIII Abn. Corps. “The course helps the dogs negotiate unusual surroundings.”

Since the handlers arrived in Iraq, they have learned a lot about each service’s method of training K-9s.

“Even though all the dogs have gone to the same school, each service has their own way of training the dogs and different ways of keeping records,” Gray said.

The dogs perform two main jobs.

“There are detection dogs and patrol dogs,” said Army Spc. Chris Tillman, explosive dog handler, HHC, XVIII Abn. Corps. Detection dogs are trained to sniff out illegal substances and explosive materials where patrol dogs are trained to track and attack the enemy.

Iraqi girls’ school receives needed supplies

MOSUL, Iraq -- The Ninewa Middle School for girls in the Al-Faisaliya neighborhood in Mosul accepted school necessities from Operation Iraqi Children Nov. 29.

Teachers from the Ninewa Middle School received supplies from the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion to hand out to their children. Prearranged by the Department of Education and Mr. Mohammed S. HajRamathan, Provincial Council Chairman for Education, five classrooms with about 150 children received school supplies. Iraqi security forces along with the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion provided security for the delivery of the supplies. Each child in the classroom received a kit containing pencils, folders, rulers, an eraser and other items needed to help them with their studies.

The smile on their faces showed the excitement as the supplies were handed out. Spc. Joselyn Bowen, Education Team Leader, Civil Affairs said, “the kids were very excited to get the supplies, and the mission was a great success”.

Operation Iraqi Children was started to help school children and last year gave supplies to more than 2,000 children.

Claims announcement for Iraqi citizens in outlying provinces of Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Multi-National Corps-Iraq Claims Judge Advocates from the U.S. Army will review all outstanding claims initially submitted at the Convention Center by Iraqi citizens Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Government Information Center located on Camp Victory at the Al – Radhwanya Gate. The session will be conducted from noon to 3:30 p.m. No new claims will be accepted.

The Claims Judge Advocates will review all outstanding claims initially submitted at the Convention Center for Iraqis in the outlying provinces of Diyala, Salah an Din, Al Anbar, Babil, Karbala, and Wasit.

.