Goodwill project fosters relations

  • Published
  • By Capt. Johnny Rea
  • Cope Tiger Public Affairs
ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE KORAT, Thailand (AFPN) --  Allied forces from the three countries participating in exercise Cope Tiger ’04 are fostering good relations in the local community by donating supplies to a rural Thai grade school.

More than 1,370 servicemembers from the United States, Thailand and Singapore are taking part in the annual two-week, joint/combined multilateral exercise.

About 50 representatives from the three countries delivered thousands of dollars worth of much-needed supplies to the Ban Bung Ta Go School near the air base here Feb. 16. About 150 children ages 4 to 12 attend the school.

“This has truly been a great experience,” said Maj. Dave Cochran, U.S. Air Force safety officer and project officer for the event. “The kids naturally flocked to us and were all smiles. This was a great way to create good will within the country, and the school staff was extremely grateful for any kind of assistance.”

The U.S. forces donated three new computers and a refrigerator using charitable donations from deployed servicemembers, as well as a $200 donation from the Andersen Air Force Base Officers Spouses Club in Guam. Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, added toys, clothes and school supplies. The Singapore forces donated 100 chairs, 15 tables and cabinets, while the Thai forces purchased bulk food items.

After a simple lunch consisting of rice, noodles, fish, fruit and coconut milk, a pick-up soccer game broke out between dozens of servicemembers and school children. Shrieks of joy and laughter could be heard throughout the school yard.

“I had an awesome time,” said Master Sgt. Keith Molina, maintenance production superintendent for the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. “I think it’s important for us to see other cultures and the lives that others live. We tend to worry about things like Internet connection, where some of these folks are concerned about their next meal.”

One of the objectives of Cope Tiger is to promote closer relations between the air forces and nations involved, said Major Cochran, who is deployed here from Andersen AFB.

“This exercise helps us maintain solid relationships with the countries in the region as we train side-by-side with their air forces,” he said. “The Thais have been superb hosts and this was a way for us to help better the lives of some of the local children.”