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Deployment provides Airmen chance to make lasting relationships

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  More than a dozen Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron - most deployed from Anderson or Hickam Air Force bases and the Guam Air National Guard - hosted a Pacific Island Cultural Day of Sharing to share their culture, further build friendships and say goodbye to the local Kyrgyz community of Jeny Pahkta.

Airmen from the 376th EFSS have sponsored the community since 2002. During the most recent deployment rotation, these Airmen visited the village many times to paint, clean and distribute donated clothes and supplies to the children there. 

During these visits, the Airmen formed many friendships and discovered similarities between the Kyrgyz people and themselves.

"I thought when I deployed to Kyrgyzstan it was going to be the same as Afghanistan," said Staff Sgt. Denise Pinaula, 376th EFSS services journeyman. "I never thought I would make friends with so many of the local Kyrgyz people."

A fact that makes leaving a little harder. But, like many assignments in the military, this deployment for the members of the 376th EFSS has come to an end and most of the Airmen are headed back to the United States within the next few weeks. So, for their last visit to their village, the Airmen decided to host an event to share their unique culture with the Kyrgyz. 

Attending the event were many local Kyrgyz, including a group of nearly 100 school-aged children.

Lieutenant Victor Balajadia, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Protocol Officer and narrator for the day, shared some Pacific Islander language with the crowd of children. 

"Many of the people here have Asian ancestry and because I look Asian, it was funny when they [the Kyrgyz children] tried to speak Russian to me," Sergeant Pinaula said, who was the event coordinator. 

Sergeant Pinaula's experience is not unique; many in the squadron and across the base here have grown to appreciate the Kyrgyz culture.

Throughout the event, Airmen displayed posters of Guam and Hawaii and passed out flowers and string to make Hawaiian leis.

The day was topped off with a concert that included songs like 'Stir It Up' and 'Under the Boardwalk.' What came as a surprise to many of the Airmen was that some of the Kyrgyz children knew the lyrics and sang along.  During the concert, Airmen dressed in traditional sarongs, came down from the stage and danced with the Kyrgyz youngsters, much to everyone's delight.

As the performance concluded with a thunderous roar and Lieutenant Balajadia explained the Hawaiian word 'Adios' or goodbye, it was easy that lasting memories and friendships were made by both the Airmen and the Kyrgyz people.

"I said that I would join in this event for the experience," said Staff Sgt. Shannon 'Bula' Thornley, a 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron mechanic and ukulele player. "I never thought I'd be playing my music for Kyrgyz children nine thousand miles from home. I didn't even know where the Kyrgyz Republic was before I came here. To see the kids laughing and clapping makes it all worth while."

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