Military Engagements with Local Children

Images depicting soldiers interacting with children in war-torn regions, highlighting moments of connection amidst military operations and humanitarian efforts.

051229-A-7359K-048. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Mchenry State: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

050712-A-1238J-009. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Victory, Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040609-M-5150A-011. Base: Hit State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040328-M-5753Q-020. Base: Haqlaniyah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

050901-A-0527A-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar Army Air Field Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

040713-M-5505M-012. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

051229-A-7359K-048. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Mchenry State: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicole Olcott, of Daytona Beach, Fla., a flight missions planner with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Lighthorse, poses with children after she donated two boxes of school supplies to them, August 14. The children were living in an Internally Displaced Persons Camp in the Beshood District of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. Olcott received donations from the Matthew Freeman Foundation, the Adopt-A-Soldier program and Olcott's own non-profit foundation, Operation New Start.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Robert Murphy, left, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, hands out candy to Afghan children as he conducts a security patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, Jan. 11, 2011. Marines conducted security patrols to decrease insurgency and gain the trust of the people. The battalion, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, conducted counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the International Security Assistance Force.

060301-A-7969G-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Summerall State: Salah Ah Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: C1-187

040716-F-4884R-020. Base: Albu Hassan State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040324-M-5753Q-017. Base: Rawah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

051003-A-7186W-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tall Afar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040715-M-5505M-020. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030421-M-1112H-510. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040325-M-5753Q-015. Base: Rawah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

060606-N-7497P-069. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Highlander Combat Medics and Balad Airmen Deliver Medical Aid to Balad Iraqis

060502-A-5745M-058. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN

040715-M-5505M-026. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An Afghan National Interpreter and U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Matthew Hilderbrand from White Tank, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion 4th Infantry Regiment

060427-A-5745M-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN

030427-M-5455N-001. Base: Al Kut State: Wasit Country: Iraq (IRQ)

041230-M-9015W-035. Base: Harwan State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A young Iraqi boy strikes a muscle pose while standing next to a passing U.S. Soldier from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment as he provides security outside a recreation center during a patrol in the in the Thawra 1 neighborhood of the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq, June 6, 2008.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Elena Woods, a hospital corpsman, assigned to the Female Engagement Team of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, greets Afghan children in Shamalan, Afghanistan. The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment is deployed supporting the International Security Assistance Force.

U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew McCann and Pfc. Julian Pachecorojas, both with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, entertain a group of children during a humanitarian aide drop in the village of Baloor, Iraq, Feb. 4, 2008.

030919-F-8678S-005. Base: Kirkuk Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

Afghanistan. 04/23/2013. The Spanish contingent deployed at the Qala-i-Naw base. A Spanish soldier greeting an Afghan child.

050821-A-6108G-166. Base: Dahuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

050901-A-0527A-014. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar Army Air Field Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

An Afghan National Army commando from the 6th Kandak hands schoolbags to women and children during a humanitarian assistance mission March 25, 2009, at a school in Kabul, Afghanistan.

040614-M-8530M-043. Base: Karabilah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: K/03/7

110402-A-CE832-193 U.S. Army Pfc. Diamond Madison (left) helps fit a pediatric wheelchair to a disabled child at the Anbar Operations Center, in Anbar province, Iraq, on April 2, 2011. Madison is with Charlie Company, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

050629-A-8255A-032. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Soldier from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division receives farewell hugs from a group of boys living in a Palestinian community in Baladiyat, eastern Baghdad, Sept. 14, 2008. His unit, along with Iraqi national police, were there handing out humanitarian aid bags to help foster good relations with the Palestinian community and the Iraqi security forces during Ramadan.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Chosin and members of the Syrian Defense Force speak with a village elder in North East Syria, June 16, 2022, while on a partnered patrol. Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve continues to advise, assist, and enable partner forces in designated areas of Syria to set conditions for long-term security.

050816-A-0575B-015. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF76

030121-F-7203T-046. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Air Base State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

040325-M-5753Q-017. Base: Rawah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040717-F-0193C-006. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A local boy smiles as Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines take a break during a partnered patrol outside their base recently. The villages within and around the area have become more open to the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. According to the Marines, their efforts of interacting and building rapport have shown positive results.

Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez takes a picture of Afghan nationals Nov. 30, 2009, in the village of Shabila Kalan, Zabul province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Lopez is a photographer with 4th Combat Camera Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.

060127-A-1526R-020. Base: Poptun State: Peten Country: Guatemala (GTM)

A U.S. Army Soldier of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division provides security while women wait in line for medical care during a combined medical engagement in Al Karaya, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2007.

050925-A-2662K-024. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Prosperity State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: PSYOPS

041227-M-2353F-019. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael Moore is surrounded by Iraqi children during a patrol the Rusafa neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 17, 2008. Moore is a platoon leader with 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

060207-A-3749Z-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

060110-A-3283V-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Diwaniyah State: Qadisiyah Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Capt. Clay White (right), commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, talks to a National Police officer as he carries an Iraqi child wearing a NP uniform following a school supply distribution April 1 in the 9 Nissan district of eastern Baghdad. White, and Paratroopers were invited by Iraqi officials to participate in National Orphan Day across Iraq. Iraqi officials handed out clothes and school supplies to more than 60 children in a 9 Nissan school.

070322-M-6412C-012. Complete Scene Caption: A local Iraqi family sits outside of their house as Marines with 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines search for signs of Anti Iraqi Force activity in the area during Operation Zaidon II on March 22nd, 2007. Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is conducting Operation Zaidon II in Zaidon, Iraq to clear the city of Anti Iraqi Forces and deny them further use of the area in the future. Regimental Combat Team 6 is deployed with Multi National Forces-West in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Anbar Province of Iraq to develop Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through democratic reforms, and continue the development of a market based economy centered on Iraqi reconstruction. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CPL. Samuel D. Corum) (Released) Subject Operation/Series: ZAIDON Base: Zaidon State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: RCT-6

030430-M-5972A-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

031203-F-7234P-015. Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 1 Armored Division

050414-A-1566H-032. Base: Al Diwanyah State: Al Qadisiyah Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Spc. David Helfman (left) , of Coloma, Mich., and Spc. Keisha Barajas, of Portage, Ind., both with Civil Affairs Team 31 of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, fit Ahmad into his pediatric wheelchair Feb.7. Ahmad was one of three Iraqi children in Mahmudiyah to receive wheelchairs donated by Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. The Soldiers partnered with Brad Blauser, the founder of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, to have the pediatric wheelchairs delivered to the children.

031228-F-7234P-048. Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: Alpha Company, 2-6 Infantry Divi

070206-A-1474P-042. Base: Baladiat State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: EUROPE

030411-M-6538A-020. Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 5th Marines

041230-M-9015W-022. Base: Harwan State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Huestis, an artilleryman with the Headquarters, Headquarters Company of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Wolverine, communicates with a child during a patrol in the village of Qaleh ye Golay in Afghanistans Parwan province, April 4.

050718-A-9039F-060. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF-76

An Afghan National Army soldier attach to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment poses for a photo with two Afghan children while out on a census patrol near the government center in Marjah, Afghanistan, April 23. While out on patrol Marine and Afghan forces met with local farmers and landowners who are participating in the Marjah Accelerated Agricultural Transition program.

051122-A-7969G-037. Base: Al Qudria Country: Iraq (IRQ)

041116-M-4855P-016. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Habbaniyah Country: Iraq (IRQ)

050718-A-9039F-096. Subject Operation/Series: SWARMER Base: Samarra State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AA)

U.S. Marine With Local Children in Marjah, Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Cpl. Omar Keys, of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, interacts with local residents during a patrol in the Furat area of Baghdad, Iraq, May 8, 2007.

050821-A-6108G-199. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030411-F-8362B-033. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Maxx A. Juusola of Dallas, Texas, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, gives out a radio after using the biometrics automated tool set to log the information of a local Afghan man near Marjeh, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2010. Marines use BATS to keep track of residents in the area.

050421-A-6108G-197. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Dohuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Sgt. Gary Melton, Provincial Reconstruction Team Uruzgan security forces, conducts vehicle and personnel searches at a traffic control point near Kakrak, Uruzgan, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2011. The TCP was set up while members of the PRT escorted a local contractor to a nearby culvert to assess damages for repair.

041211-M-0036Y-020. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Spc. Harley Young, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, greets a young child while on patrol June 27, 2012, in Muqor, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Young serves with Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

FARAH CITY, Afghanistan (Jan. 8, 2013) Lt. Mike Quaglino, operation officer for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, gives candy to Afghan kids after completing a mission to the Farah provincial director of agriculture, irrigation and livestock's (DAIL) facilities. The mission to the DAIL's facilities was for PRT personnel to evaluate progress on a demonstration greenhouse project being built to connect Farahi farmers and the government. PRT Farah's mission is to train, advise, and assist Afghan government leaders at the municipal, district, and provincial levels in Farah province Afghanistan. Their civil military team is comprised of members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

070307-M-6412J-006. Subject Operation/Series: EDGED MALLET Base: Naval Station Manda Bay Kenya State: Bargoni Country: Kenya (KEN) Scene Major Command Shown: 26TH MEU

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Philip Kriner checks for explosive residue on an Iraqi man's hands during a dismounted patrol in Amulshabi, Kirkuk, Iraq, March 11, 2008. Kriner is from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Eric Gianneris meets a local shop owner while conducting a joint patrol in Shulla, Iraq, April 3, 2008. Gianneris is assigned to 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

030406-M-6270B-034. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030808-F-5281B-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040622-F-4884R-007. Base: Balad State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030517-M-5266H-021. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 25-Feb

050816-A-0575B-066. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF76

050718-A-9039F-065. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF-76

031019-F-7234P-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 82nd Airborne Division

060410-A-5043I-020. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MOUNTAIN INFANTRY DIVISION

030520-M-4066S-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

060308-A-5745M-020. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN DIV

050718-A-9039F-083. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF-76

050826-A-1327A-089. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Salerno State: Khowst Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST BDE 82ND ABN

A Navy corpsman, assigned to Combat Service Support Detachment 15 (CSSD-15), examines a Somali infant while participating in a medical civic action program during the multinational relief effort Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

030823-F-6844O-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine GySgt. Philip M. Collins, Platoon Sergeant Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment (3/10), carries a local Afghan child outside Patrol Base Mahafiz, in Shorshorak, Afghanistan, April 29, 2010. The Marines and sailors assigned to 3/10 are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

030518-M-5266H-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 25-Feb

060502-A-5745M-033. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN

Soldiers in class, Afghanistan.

060127-A-0527A-025. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar Army Air Field Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

060308-A-5745M-114. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN DIV

An Iraqi boy watches U.S. Army Soldiers while waiting in line for medical assistance at an aid station located in Buritz, Iraq, July 5, 2007.

060105-A-5745M-080. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MNT 2ND BDE

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