Yokota Airmen deliver supplies to Indonesian school

  • Published
  • By Capt. Raymond Geoffroy
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
BINGUANG DISTRICT, Indonesia (AFNS) --  Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, delivered more than $1,200 worth of school supplies and sports equipment to an elementary school during a goodwill visit here June 23.

The visit, an event of Exercise Cope West 11, was an opportunity for Airmen to build good relations with local residents living near the Gorda Drop Zone, an area used by U.S. and Indonesian airmen to practice tactical airdrops during the weeklong bilateral training exercise.

"A big component of Cope West is ensuring good relations with the people of Indonesia," said Lt. Col. Pete Kelley, Yokota AB's Cope West 11 detachment commander. Visits like this are a key part of building trust and understanding with local Indonesians. It is my sincere hope that these donations with help this community thrive and further strengthen the friendship between the U.S. and Indonesia."

Upon arrival at the school, Colonel Kelley, accompanied by a team of Indonesian and U.S. airmen, was greeted by the school headmaster, several teachers and approximately 260 school children from the local area.

The children at first greeted the airmen with curious looks as the team unloaded a dozen boxes loaded with pens, pencils, notepads, backpacks, soccer balls and other assorted items.

"At first, the kids were a little hesitant and shy, but we could see the looks on their faces change over time," said Airman 1st Class Will Duffy, a maintainer with the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Yokota AB. "By the time we were handing out donations, they were laughing and crowding all around us. I think this visit had a really positive impact."

During the visit, Colonel Kelley and the school headmaster exchanged some remarks. Airmen then proceeded to hand out supplies to the children, who gratefully the gifts with smiles and handshakes.

Visiting local Indonesian schools has become tradition for Yokota AB's Cope West teams, with Airmen gathering donations from the base community prior to departing from their home station.

Among this year's donors were the Yokota Striders, a base running club, which provided money that was used to purchase backpacks for every student at the school.

"When we arrived at the school, the headmaster said he was concerned about how to evenly distribute the backpacks among all 260 pupils," Colonel Kelley said. "When we told him we had a backpack for every single child at the school, he was completely amazed."

As the visit drew to a close, the Airmen departed the school with a sense of satisfaction for a job well done.

"I feel like we did something very good," Airman Duffy said. "We definitely strengthened our relationship with the Indonesians."