Soldiers Corral Cattle in Iraq
Camp Liberty, Baghdad - Soldiers from the 345th Tactical Psychological Operations Detachment, Dallas, Texas, and 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, Santa Barbara, Calif., of the 2nd Brigade Combat team, 10th Mountain Division, recently worked with Iraqi veterinarians to provide vaccinations and other shots for Iraqi.
The shots will provide healthier livestock for farmers and also help relations between the Iraqi people and coalition forces. The shots provide protection against diseases such as foot and mouth disease, parasites and other diseases, which are a major problem in Iraq, said Maj. Sam Barringer, 425th CA veterinarian.
"All animals have parasites," said Maj. Barringer. "The shots we give will aid parasitic control from six to eight months. Vaccines will prevent diseases that could wipe out entire herds."
One Iraqi veterinarian said Multi-National Forces provided medicine that has been scarce to the area. "Before the war, there was a lack of medical supplies," he said. "After the war, there is a lot more medicine. We still need equipment that we don't have, however."
The vet said they provide similar services to the community, including semi-annual shots, artificial insemination, and other veterinary services. But they lack the tools to go house to house without Coalition assistance. Barringer said the success of the program can be measured by the increasing number of sheep and cattle Iraqis present to receive medicine.
Civil Affairs and PSYOPS Soldiers also distributed Iraqi flags, clothes, candy and other gifts to villagers. The gifts are another way to win the Iraqi populace over and are very helpful in winning the Iraqi communities hearts and minds.
Release #040929c
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