Sather Airmen foster relationships with local community

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  The sounds of children laughing fill the air as they run across the dusty soccer field. Despite the heat and dirt, parents and friends cheer and join in to play from time to time. 

Yet, this scene isn't from a typical Saturday afternoon in suburban America. This is Iraq and another example of how Airmen here are working together to help rebuild the local community through the Good Neighbor Program.  

Started a year ago, the program gives Sather Air Base Airmen an outlet to help the local community as it tries to rebuild from the shadows of conflict. Not through military might or infrastructure, but by simply bridging cultural and economic gaps.

"The program builds a relationship with Iraqi families beyond war," said Master Sgt. Crystal Amos, the program's coordinator and liaison. "It shows we care about their needs on a personal level."

This care is demonstrated through the many boxes full of items donated by Airmen. Soccer balls and stuffed animals to shoes and hygiene supplies, these are all collected and delivered to thankful parents and excited children, who range in ages from 3 to 13. 

"I am thankful for America, and I am happy anytime you come here" said Iraqi Maj.  Raheem, a father of twins who just received new stuffed animals.

Staff Sgt. Deric VanBree of the 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, was one of the 20-plus Airmen who volunteered their time with the Iraqi families.

"It's nice to help these guys," she said. "It's great to see the excited kids -- especially with the soccer balls!"

The memory of these children even brought one Airman back. After participating in the program during his deployment last year, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Land, a member of the 447th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, remembered the smiles and the looks on the children's faces and had to participate again.

"I do it to see the kids," Sergeant Land said, who is deployed from Robins AFB, Ga. "I have three (children), so it makes me feel better while I'm here. Those smiles say they're happy we're here."

While half the group visited homes, the other half helped children break in their new soccer balls with a game in the desert dust. While sounds of children laughing and Airmen bantering about whose better filled the air, others visualized a deeper meaning to the visit.

"This helps me, as a chaplain, ensure some spiritual wellness is met," said Chaplain (Capt.) David Knight, 447 AEG chaplain, who is deployed from Nellis AFB, Nev. "When we give of ourselves, we can make a difference in culture; being a whole person, not focused on our own needs, both as military members and as human beings." 

He added that the program is the primary outreach to Iraqi families, and he wanted to participate in the experience to help pass on the opportunity to other Sather AB Airmen.

Small children hugged new teddy bears, older boys played games in the dirt and all the while bridges were being built -- one family at a time.

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