Kyrgyz, U.S. servicemembers distribute coats, blankets to Koi Tash students

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KOI-TASH, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Koi Tash Noncommissioned Officer Academy soldiers, along with U.S. servicemembers serving in Kyrgyzstan, handed out $3,400 in winter coats and blankets to Chuiskaya Region Boarding School-Gymnasium students Nov. 11.

The Transit Center at Manas' Operation Warm and Dry II program reached out to the growing relationship between the U.S. and Kyrgyz militaries. Called military-to-military exchanges, or mil-to-mil, this was the second event this fall with the Koi Tash NCO Academy.

"The mil-to-mil events in the past were all technical and professional based on job relations," said Chief Master Sgt. Leland Becker, with the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. "But, this is the first social event with our Kyrgyz partners since I've been here. When we visited them last month, they recommended we visit this school, and ... that is the reason we are here today."

Kyrgyz Army 1st Lt. Ruslan Kochonov said these mil-to-mil exchanges are mutually beneficial. "It's good for us to do things with (U.S. servicemembers ; it's different. We learn something from (them; they) will learn from us. It's a good experience for all our people."

When the Kyrgyz and U.S. military service members arrived at the school, they were treated to a cultural concert.

"Awesome," was how Staff Sgt. Brook Mertens, with the 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, described the performance. He was also part of the mil-to-mil event with Koi Tash NCO Academy last month.

"Interacting with the kids and watching the play was really cool," he said. "The friendliness of the kids was great. I don't think I've shaken so many hands in my life."

During the concert, one of the Kyrgyz soldiers was telling the Airmen what all the traditional songs meant, said Senior Airman Oleksiy Kunznyetsov, with the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

"Everyone was clapping and having fun," he said. "It was a new experience. I got to learn a little bit about the culture and the traditional costumes."

After the performance, some of the servicemembers got up to tell a little bit about their jobs. Airman Kunznyetsov, whose native language is Russian, said the kids were curious about his uniform.

"They were asking what every name tape, patch and insignia meant."

Army Staff Sgt. Zenia Boswell, assigned to the U.S. Embassy, took a few moments to tell the students how beautiful their country was and how she feels lucky to be able to live here and be their guest.

"You will always be in my heart," she said.

She was asked by a young girl what it was like to be a female in the U.S. military. Sergeant Boswell explained she can do everything a man can do in the military.

"We are treated equal," she said.

Most of the students spoke in English. Senior Airman llya Volovik, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing interpreter, whose native language is also Russian, said the school has a 1,200-book English library.

"They want more English books to develop the younger generation," he said. "A lot of the students spoke English, but were very shy. The longer we were there, the more they opened up and interacted with us in English."

As for the Kyrgyz military servicemembers, "I liked how they took part in this," said Airman Volovik, "They were very involved."