An Iraqi woman from the Hay Al Hussein neighborhood of Al Amarah, Iraq, thanks an Iraqi Army Soldier, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 40th Iraqi Army Brigade, for a bag filled with bedding supplies and food handed out during a humanitarian aid drop Ma...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARRYOWEN, Iraq - Iraqi Soldiers traveled house to house in a small neighborhood in the Maysan Province, on the southeastern border of Iraq to hand out essential supplies to citizens in need March 9.

The 1st Battalion, 40th Iraqi Army Brigade, assisted by American Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment , 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, provided blankets, canned food and other household necessities during the humanitarian aid drop in Hay Al Hussein, located in the city of Al Amarah.

Along with food and bedding supplies, Iraqi children were also given comic books featuring their hometown heroes, the Iraqi Security Forces.

"If we can give them even just a blanket, they will be very grateful," said Lt. Malik Theab, who aided the Iraqis while leading his IA Soldiers during the good will operation.

One of the residents that received items from the Coalition Forces, a mother of three children, explained the mattress and blankets would be a big help because her sons currently sleep on the floor.

This humanitarian mission helped the citizens of Maysan with necessities they can't afford. It also provided the Iraqi Soldiers with experience in planning, coordinating and carrying out civil military operations for future goodwill missions.