CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq
At approximately 10 a.m. today in the vicinity of Ar Rutbah, Iraq, Marines from Company A, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, Multi National Forces-West, expedited the immediate medical evacuation of a 2-year-old Iraqi boy to a nearby U.S. medical facility. The child was noticed by Marines as the boy’s father attempted to pass through their security checkpoint. The 2-year-old was diagnosed with 2nd degree burns to more than 80-percent of his body. The father was attempting to transport his son to a hospital in Ramadi, which is located more than 185 miles from Ar Rutbah. Stating that his son’s wounds were the result of scalding water, the father agreed to allow the Marines to request a helicopter medical evacuation for the boy. Upon arrival at the nearby U.S. military medical facility, doctors stabilized the boy and determined that he needed further medical treatment. The boy was moved to a larger, fully-staffed medical facility where he is accompanied by his father.