Wolf Pack airman builds relations in Thailand

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young
  • Defense Media Activity-Hawaii
3/5/2010 - BAU NONG SROUNG, Thailand (AFNS) --  Airmen from the U.S., Thailand and Singapore joined together to provide medical, dental and optometry care to local residents as part of Cope Tiger 2010 March 4.

Cope Tiger is a multilateral aerial large force exercise aimed at improving interoperability and strengthening relationships with partner nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cope Tiger is scheduled to run March 1 through 12 at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases.

The medical and civic action event that took place at Bau Nong Sroung School complements the exercise and allows participants to help local residents of the host nation.

Maj. (Dr.) Kurt Nishiguchi, an Air Force reservist deployed to the exercise from the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii supported this event.

"It is the adventure of coming here and building relations with other countries that prompted me to join the Air Force," Major Nishiguchi said. "I think (the local residents) get way more out of this than we do because it seems so simple to us, but they are so appreciative."

More than 300 people received treatment, to include optometry check-ups, dental evaluations and basic health assessments.

To bridge the communication barrier between patients and doctors, the U.S. Air Force brought along a team of translators, including one Airman who had the opportunity to return to the country he was born in.

"This was a great chance for me to come back home and help out," said Staff Sgt. Watthanakit Wannakun, a medical technician from the 8th Medical Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. "So far, this has been a great (mission) for me, and it's good to know that I'm here for a good cause."

In addition to providing medical, dental and optometry care, the three nations' airmen have donated toys, school supplies and sports equipment during their visit to the school.

The event also featured an aerial display featuring toy planes, a parachutist descending down to the school from a helicopter, a dancing exhibition, music, hair cutting and health awareness seminars.

"Cope Tiger is very rewarding and a great opportunity," said Staff Sgt. Destin Huey, an optometry technician from the 18th Medical Group at Kadena AB, Japan. "I'm honored to be here and have an opportunity to experience this."