B*N*S*N2

U.S. Soldiers partner with IP to re-open al Fadallah school, build community relations

Written by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Division-North Thursday, March 17, 2011

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq - "Thunderhorse" Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., assisted Iraqi policemen of the Aruba Police Station distributing humanitarian aid during the reopening of al Fadallah Elementary school in Kirkuk, March 14.

The newly renovated school provides a better learning environment for the students, said 1st Lt. Nicholas Rosa, platoon leader, Company B, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt.

"A better learning environment means better teaching for the kids, which leads to a better education that in turn benefits the country of Iraq," he said.

The renovations included repairing electrical wiring, installing new flooring, rebuilding the courtyard wall, repainting the walls of the building and fixing the bathrooms, said Rosa, a Jackson, Mo. native.

"It took about two months to get everything done, and it's in a lot better shape than when we first got here," said Rosa.

U.S. forces partnered with Aruba IP, who led routine inspections on the school house reconstruction project and coordinated for the ceremony commemorating the school's reopening, said Rosa.

Deployed as part of U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn, Rosa said Soldiers of Thunderhorse Bn. work with local Iraqi Police to build support within the community and demonstrate Iraqi Security Forces' concern for the citizens of Kirkuk. ....

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