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bobdina
07-13-2010, 12:37 PM
Georgian troops delivers hope, smiles to Afghan children

7/12/2010 By Regimental Combat Team 2 Public Affairs , Regimental Combat Team 2

BAKWA, Afghanistan — Although Christmas is only five months away, the soldiers of Company B, 31st Georgina Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, spread hope and good cheer while patrolling through the village streets of Bakwa, delivering stuffed animals, schools supplies and radios to local Afghans.

Falling under the command and control of RCT-2 in support of full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations in Farah province, Afghanistan, the soldiers of Company B, 31st Georgian Battalion, are working by, with and through the Afghan National Security Forces, helping to set the conditions for Afghan civilian and ANSF leadership to develop Farah as it continues to grow into a productive, peaceful and sovereign province.

From the beginning of their deployment to the Bakwa, Golestan and Delaram districts, the 31st Georgian Bn. has put a strong emphasis on conducting regular patrols, most of them dismounted, meeting with locals in order to establish positive relationships with the local Afghan population and leadership.

“The more we are out there and listen to the local people, the better we understand their concerns” said Sgt. Zaza Chapodze, a fire support chief with Company B, 31st Georgian Bn.

In order to reach local Afghans to address their concerns and foster positive relationships with the local population and children of Bakwa, Company B conducted what they nicknamed “Operation Desert Penguin,” July 6.

Having recently received a donation of school bags, stuffed toy polar bears, toy penguins and solar-powered radios, the Georgian soldiers quickly went to work and handed these items out to the local school children.

For the next several days, during the early morning school hours, the Georgian soldiers of Company B visited local schools in nearby villages throughout the Bakwa district, distributing the toys and school utensils to the children in need.

In addition to the toys and school supplies, the parents of the children also received solar-powered radios to help them stay connected with the local and regional news, in an area where the primary news outlet is via radio broadcast.

The Georgian soldiers carried out their mission during Operation Desert Penguin in 110-degree heat, in order to bring smiles to Afghan school children.

Despite the sweltering heat, the Georgian soldiers found a bit of humor in their mission, in that the stuffed penguins and polar bears they were handing out should have brought at least a hint of their natural climate to the Afghan desert. Instead of cooler weather; with a warm heart, the Georgian soldiers delivered smiles and hope to the children of Afghanistan.
http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmardiv/2ndmarreg/Pages/31stGeorgianBndelivershope,smilestoAfghanchildren. aspx