Serving in Iraq info page 31

Project helps cool air on Iraqi front

By Amy Raisin Darvish

Friday, September 10, 2004 - SANTA CLARITA -- Triple-digit heat has made plenty of local residents uncomfortable in recent weeks, but imagine the mercury nearing the 130-degree mark in a place where everyone must wear trousers and lace-up boots.

Such is daily life for U.S. soldiers stationed in Baghdad, where the weather was on the cooler side Friday at 111 degrees. Air conditioners are not standard issue there, which led to the creation of Operation Air Conditioner.

Sheriff's Deputy Artie Thompson of the Santa Clarita station -- he served with the U.S. Air Force Reserves last year in the neighboring country of Qatar -- understands the oppressive weather conditions and was recently tapped to coordinate Operation Air Conditioner in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Since the program was established in the summer of 2003, hundreds of new air-conditioning units have been transported to U.S. military facilities in Iraq.

Through an arrangement with Operation Air Conditioner, Home Depot sells the units at cost, for $78 each, and then a nonprofit organization ships the units overseas.

"It was 120 degrees (in Qatar) when I was there, and that was toward the end of the (hot) season," said Thompson, an Air Force technical sergeant who served from September through November last year. "It's miserable. These (soldiers) really suffer, especially the ones who had to go in first."

Thompson said individual donations of $10 or more will be used to buy new air-conditioning units and other supplies requested by the soldiers stationed in Iraq. Local businesses are also encouraged to donate.

"Not only is it that hot, but (imagine being) out there with all that gear on," Thompson said. "An air conditioner makes a huge difference."

From: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20949~2393711,00.html#