News Search

Warrior of the North helps provide humanitarian assistance in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A civil engineer and Warrior of the North participated in a humanitarian assistance mission Feb. 27 in the village of Kharagul, Iraq where he distributed supplies to the village children.

Maj. John Vipperman, the garrison engineer for Logistics Supply Area Anaconda, joined members of the 2-320 Field Artillery Regiment for the mission.

"I participated in the distribution of ... individually packaged clothes, toys, school supplies, and candy to around 220 children," he said. "The most popular toy was soccer balls and the most popular clothing item was shoes."

According to the major, the material was donated by private individuals such as the family members and friends of the servicemembers deployed to LSA anaconda. The purpose of the mission was to provide aid to children in need and gain trust within local communities. The good reception of the team alludes to the success of the mission.

"Our visit was not pre-announced but word got out quickly once we arrived," Major Vipperman noted.

The actual distribution took place at a local school, although class had let out for the day by the time the team arrived. Supplies were left at the school as well for the use of the staff.

After the supplies were distributed, Major Vipperman, a 319th Civil Engineer Squadron operations chief at his home station of Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., visited the local water treatment plant, which was non-operational.

"Engineers and preventative medicine personnel from Camp Anaconda are providing technical support, and eventually funding to make the necessary repairs to the plant," Major Vipperman said. "This is part of a larger effort to ensure nearby villages have safe drinking water."

Major Vipperman's role as garrison engineer is similar to his base civil engineer role back at home station without the emergency services component. A small organic workforce of multi-craft department of public works personnel serves as a quick reaction force for civil engineering emergencies.

LSA Anaconda is the part of a joint installation that includes Balad Air Base. It is situated about 68 kilometers North of Baghdad.