On December 19th 2008, Soldiers from A Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion, met and ate dinner with local tribal leadership in what was dubbed a Friendship Mission.

It all began when three Soldiers from the Transportation Platoon of A Co. were given the mission of escorting local nationals who came to work for the Iraqi Business Industrial Zone (IBIZ) on Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

SPC Seth McMurtrey, SPC Alan Rolfes, and PV2 Joseph Loscheider, quickly built a camaraderie with the local nationals.

SPC Seth McMurtrey was chosen for the job as the Noncommissioned Officer In Charge for the escort mission because of his experience in dealing with Iraqi citizens, as this is his second deployment to Iraq.

“On my last deployment I was a part of a [Quick Reactionary Force] unit.” McMurtrey said “The atmosphere is totally different, but the things I learned help me relate with them today.”

Among the Iraqi nationals who came to work with IBIZ were the sons of a local tribal leader who owns a part of IBIZ.

Through his sons, Sheik Shihab Ahmad Salih Al Timmi, invited the Soldiers and their leadership to enjoy a dinner at his house.

Accompanying the party was LTC Eric Waage, 834th ASB Commander.

“This dinner is to celebrate the relationship between A Co. Transportation Soldiers and the Iraqi citizens that they work with and have built a close bond with” LTC Waage said during the convoy briefing.

During the dinner the leadership talked about the relationship between Iraq and America, and how they could continue to build the bonds stronger.

Sheik Ahmad Salih has been supportive of America since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has always believed America was there to help and has not wavered in his beliefs.

“I tell people the American’s came and they help to build schools and water treatment plants, and other things that we need.” Sheik Ahmad Salih told LTC Waage “The insurgents try to discredit America, but I tell them it is the insurgents who are the ones that destroy things.”

His beliefs have not made life easy, as he has experienced multiple attempts on his life.

With the new Status Of Forces Agreement a few weeks away LTC Waage asked “How can we continue to make these bonds stronger?”

“By continuing to show the same support” was the Sheiks response.

While 834th ASB leadership; Battalion Commander LTC Waage, Battalion Command Sergeant Major Jeffrey Lindberg, A Company Commander 1LT Christopher Staples, A Company First Sergeant William Buystedt, A Company Transportation Platoon Leader 2LT Bryan Pederson, and A Company Transportation Platoon Sergeant SSG Rick Culver conversed with their hosts, SPC McMurtrey and PV2 Loscheider kept up a friendly banter with the Sheik’s sons and cousin Rick, who is also the translator/manager of the local nationals who work on JBB.

“They are good people,” Rick said of the Soldiers “very professional and friendly.”

The hosts treated the American Soldiers to a feast of lamb, chicken and other delicacies.

The hosts also extended their hospitality to the Soldiers who were among the convoy and security detail that waited outside the home. They loaded up plates of food and personally brought it to the Soldiers waiting outside.

The Soldiers also received a tour of the property, and had a chance to extend their friendliness to the local children by passing out treats.

The Friendship Mission was a success, each group extended their thanks and well wishes for each other. They each pledged to continue working on keeping the relationship between American Soldiers and Iraqi citizens strong.