News>Operation Pacific Angel 2013 soars in Vietnam
Photos
A patient looks through a lens to determine what prescription she needs for eye glasses during Operation Pacific Angel, June 10, 2013, in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise held in various countries several times a year and includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs and of variety of subject-matter expert exchanges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla)
A crowd of local people stand in line as they wait to be seen by U.S. Military doctors as part of the health service outreach program during Operation Pacific Angel June 10, 2013, in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla)
U.S. military members shake hands with local host-nation construction workers before beginning building repairs during Operation Pacific Angel June 9, 2013, in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Operation Pacific Angel began June 10 and is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise held in various countries several times a year and includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs and a variety of subject-matter expert exchanges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Sara Greco)
Senior Airman Chris Black paints shutters for a local school June 11, 2013, in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2013. Black is a fire fighter with the 142nd Fighter Wing out of Portland, Oregon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla)
by Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla
Pacific Angel 2013-3 Public Affairs
6/12/2013 - DONG HOI, Vietnam (AFNS) -- The United States and Vietnam began humanitarian assistance operations here June 10 as part of Operation Pacific Angel.
Operation Pacific Angel which is in its sixth year, is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise led by Pacific Air Forces.
"We are here to provide medical care and engineering services, as well as build better relationships between the U.S. and Vietnam," said Lt. Col. Tom Laitinen, the Operation Pacific Angel 2013 mission commander. "The more we can build these relationships, both military to military and military to the civilian level, the more it will help us in the event of a regional natural disaster or security crisis, or basically anything that requires cooperation between the U.S and Vietnam."
More than 50 U.S. military members deployed to Vietnam for Pacific Angel 2013 to partner with local non-governmental organizations and host-nation military forces to provide various functions, including health-services outreach, engineering civil action programs, as well as various subject matter expert exchanges.
Medical professionals from around the Air Force set up a temporary clinic to provide optometry, dental, women's health, physical therapy and primary health services for at least 2,500 patients, according to Lt. Col. Vanhseng Phanthavong, international health specialist with Pacific Air Forces.
Pacific Angel 2013 participants are also set to renovate two schools and one district medical clinic by providing structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical and painting repairs.
Although U.S. military members have been working with host-nation military personnel to improve the lives of thousands of people throughout the region since 2007, this is the first multilateral operation to take place in Vietnam, with a member of the Lao People's Army partnering with the health services outreach team.
Comments
6/14/2013 10:48:20 AM ET Charles your sarcasm aside you really should look at both our history and our current strategies. Germany Italy and Japan killed many more Americans in wartime than the Vietnamese did yet they have been among our closest allies for more than 60 years. Vietnam like other SEA countries is looking to build closer ties to the US because they do not trust China's intentions. Very simple really. Many long term POWs like Senator McCain have returned to Vietnam and have forgiven them. These kinds of operations build international good will and just might bring such states willingly into our camp. Yes I'd like to see more help at home but if we have to act overseas this beats blowing the stuffing out of them.
DMPI, Arlington VA
6/14/2013 7:28:52 AM ET Mr. Lilly there have been numerous missions to South East Asia to search for POWMIA personnel from all services. When found they are returned with honor. As for the second part of your statement I am sure you are familiar with the laws that govern use of military personnel in disaster reliefhumanitarian assistance. Sir the DoD is the last option in domestic relief efforts.
A Chief, JBLE Virginia
6/13/2013 5:43:00 PM ET @charles the AF carries out this mission as directed by the PACOM commander. You should become familiar with the NSS NDS and NMS to understand the importance of these missions. By law the funds used can't help the old sick homeless hungry US children.
JD, KC MO
6/12/2013 6:50:23 PM ET So Pacific Angel 2013 will save lives and provide health care for a Country that killed 58122 US Military Personnel. Well bless our little hearts did we ever go looking for POW's or MIA's Yeah that's what I thought. Could you ask the US Air Force if it can provide food water shelter and medical supplies to the old sick homeless hungry US Children in major Cities here first
