Deployed reservists help charities in Kyrgyzstan

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MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) --  Air Force reservists from here deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, are supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. They also are helping to make life better for people near there.

Airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 908th Airlift Wing arrived at the old Soviet airfield in early December to keep the unit’s C-130 Hercules aircraft in the air 24 hours a day, to provide support to Soldiers, Marines and Airmen in Afghanistan. Manas AB is near Kyrgyzstan’s capital city of Bishkek and about 500 miles north of the Afghanistan border.

“It’s like Alabama in the ‘40s,” said Tech. Sgt. Donald Corkum, referring to living conditions in the region. “The average person makes less than $20 a month and doesn’t have running water in his or her home.”

The reservists started helping one local charity, the Children’s Cancer Center, by donating clothes, toys and food. Now, they are assisting four different charities.

A local orphanage received a new stove, pots and pans. The Airmen also said they plan to put a new roof on the center.

“In the middle of a war, we take the time to help others,” said Tech. Sgt. William Mayfield. “This is why we are the greatest country in the world and why we will win this war.”

Among the reservists’ most ardent supporters are children like 4-year-old Niklia, a patient at the center.

“I want to grow up to be an American Soldier because they help people,” she said.

In less than six months, the Airmen have donated thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of labor to the charities. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)