CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Planetary sciences graduate student Terry Hurford and business management and sociology senior Brenda Aguirre look through pictures of their friend Kissa Powell, who is stationed in Iraq. The duo is hoping to raise $2,000 to ship personal misters to Powell's squad to help them beat the searing desert heat.

UA students can help ease the excruciating heat soldiers stationed in Iraq experience by donating money to help distribute Misty Mate Misters to troops.

Created in 1987 by Steve Utter, the Misty Mate Company develops personal cooling devices sold at $15 each that help cool down the body, according to the Misty Mate Web site.

Brenda Ann Aguirre, a business management senior, said one of the best ways people can donate money is by going to the Kuiper Space Sciences building, 1629 E. University Blvd., and dropping off a donation to Terry Hurford in office 432.

Aguirre said she and Hurford, a planetary sciences graduate student, are especially interested in this fundraiser because their friend, UA alumna Kissa Powell, is stationed in Iraq.

"We all went to the same high school in Tucson," Aguirre said. "University High School."

Aguirre said she decided to get involved after Powell e-mailed her and Hurford about two months ago for assistance.

Powell, a captain in the U.S. Air Force and commander of 1058 Gun Truck Detachment division, said Misty Mate is a cooling device that soldiers could benefit from.

"Misty Mate is a small, portable evaporative cooling unit similar in concept to a patio mister," Powell said in an e-mail. "It provides a fine mist that can be directed on the individual. As the mist evaporates it cools the body."

Powell entered the military about seven years ago after she graduated from the UA in December 1997, and is now currently serving in Iraq, Aguirre said.

"She, along with her entire squad, arrived in Iraq in March. So, they have all just begun their tours of duty," Aguirre said. "They will all be over there until December."

Aguirre said Powell works with Transportation and Supply, which is extremely dangerous. Powell said her troops are currently conducting a hazardous mission that is relatively new for the Air Force.

"We provide gun truck security augmenting U.S. Army units in Iraq," Powell said in an e-mail. "We are a daily show of force and attack deterrent on the many supply routes that outfit the bases throughout the northern region of Iraq."

Powell said in an e-mail that driving in Iraq is very difficult.

"The average convoy lasts for about three hours in an up-armored vehicle. Often times these vehicles have little (to) no ventilation and air conditioning does not always work or can malfunction during the route," Powell said in an e-mail. "... I'm looking for solutions to cool my Airmen as they are conducting this vital mission."

Powell, who is responsible for 154 personnel, all either active duty Air Force or complimenting the U.S. forces from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves, said soldiers must wear thick and heavy uniforms in the excessive heat.

"Currently it's in the low 100s, however it will soon reach temperatures in excess of 130 or 140 degrees," Powell said in an e-mail. "In addition to our uniforms we must wear 30- to 40-pound flak vests and protective gear any time we leave the wire (base)."

Aguirre said people can help alleviate the sufferings of soldiers by making a blind donation of $15 to the Misty Mate site or by donating directly to Powell's troops by donating on campus.

"Students are able to donate $15 directly to the Misty Mate company to provide a mister for an anonymous soldier, whereas our fundraiser accepts donations in any amount to supply Capt. Powell's troops," Aguirre said. "So for as little as $1 students can help a soldier."

Aguirre said she received a discount from the company to make donations cheaper, with the systems being discounted at $10 a unit.

Aguirre said the fundraiser would continue until they raised $2,000 for 154 units.

"If we receive more than $2,000 we will buy as many units as possible to help as many troops as we can," Aguirre said.

Hurford said he designed a Web site, u.arizona.edu/~hurfordt/, for interested donors to obtain more information.