BAGHDAD – Local Iraqi officials, Iraqi Army Soldiers and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers with the 4th “Blackjack” Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to the 2nd “Strike” Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), attended a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Al Rasheed Primary School in the Mansour District of northwest Baghdad Oct. 9.

The ceremony marked the completion of renovations brought about through the combined efforts of members of the Mansour District Advisory Council, Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces.

The groups worked together to add new windows, new doors, fresh paint and refurbished bathrooms to improve the school which provides education to approximately 500 Iraqi boys and girls.

“Everyone is pleased because this is the first time the school has been renovated in twenty years,” said Jabar Delami, deputy DAC chairman.
Students treated the audience, which included the deputy Minister of Education, to a brief presentation and the singing of the Iraqi national anthem.

“The presence of Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces here today will make the students very happy,” said Delami. “One of the reasons we have celebrations like these is to give students a sense of the nature of Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces, their behavior and their generosity.”

Throughout the Blackjack area of operations, the Soldiers generosity can be seen through the efforts put forth by civil affairs Soldiers. Their missions run the gamut from issuing backpacks to distribution of non-perishable food items to school renovations.

Capt. Tom McInnis, a civil affairs team chief with 432nd Civil Affiars Battalion, works to synchronize the efforts of the Blackjack Squadron, Strike Brigade, Iraqi officials and various non-governmental organizations to assist citizens in the Mansour District of northwest Baghdad.

He said he first learned about the state the school was in from Delami in a neighborhood council meeting about five months ago. Since that time, he has checked in on the renovations weekly to ensure the contractors provided quality work.

While McInnis admitted most of the work was cosmetic, he expressed that he expects the renovations will have a positive impact on the students.

“When we saw the school it was in such rough shape, I would think that just being in a newer facility or at least a renovated one would help them in their learning environment,” said McInnis, a native of Neenah, Wis.

The 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion is a reserve unit from Green Bay, Wis., whose members draw on their Army training when called upon to connect local commanders with the civilian populace and coordinate assistance. At times, their experience provides a connection to their work as Soldiers.

McInnis, a native of Neenah, Wis., teaches social studies to middle and high school students.

“I have a little more motivation due to that background to help the teachers because I couldn’t imagine trying to teach in the conditions that they had,” he said.

Perhaps he’ll draw on that motivation throughout the month as the Blackjack Squadron has several school renovation projects nearing completion.