Airmen open hearts, planes for Thai orphans

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Michael Farris
  • 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
Guy Ratchaporn had never been on an airplane before. The 6 year old never dreamed he would sit in the pilot’s seat of an MC-130 Combat Shadow until the 353rd Special Operations Group airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, opened their airplane and their hearts to children of Thailand’s Ban Jang Jai orphanage Aug. 21.

The 21 boys and 20 girls, between ages 4 and 16, joined the airmen for lunch and also took a peek at some of their hardware.

The children sat in the aircrew seats, buckled in and flew an imaginary pattern over this military town nearly 100 miles south of Bangkok. They tried on real parachutes and jumped out the back on a clandestine raid of their unsuspecting friends.

The children got a kick out of their day-trip to the airfield according to Senior Master Sgt. John Giegler, from the 1st Special Operations Squadron.

“Most of these kids don’t have opportunities other children have,” he said. “It’s fun to look at their faces when they’re experiencing something for the first time.”

Maj. Pat Butler, a pilot with the 17th Special Operations Squadron, showed the children his airplane.

“Who knows, this visit might plant a seed and create a pilot in a dozen years,” he said.

A dozen 353rd SOG airmen returned to the orphanage with the children -- delivering more than a ton of food, toys and clothing. The donations were made by the Kadena AB community.

Master Sgt. Tony Emond, 353rd Operations Support Squadron, organized the drive and said the generosity is heartwarming and greatly appreciated.

“It takes very little to brighten the days of these children,” he said. “The staff at the orphanage was also thrilled at the giant boxes of clothes and toys. Beyond the donation, they were especially happy that we spent time with the kids.”

The airmen are deployed to train with other U.S. and Thai special operations forces.