News>U.S. and Nepal build relationships, improve lives
Photos
A Nepali woman listens to infant care advice from a Nepalese Army Doctor two
days after her baby was delivered and resuscitated by team Project HOPE and
Nepali health care professionals who were supporting Operation Pacific Angel
12-4 at Nau Danda Health Post of Dhikur Pokhari Village Development
Committee (VDC) of Kaski District, Nepal on Sept. 14, 2012. U.S. Pacific
Command's Operation Pacific Angel 12-4 in Nepal is a Pacific Air Forces
planned event that enhances humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
capabilities between the United States and Pacific partners. The U.S. was
invited by the Nepal government to provide support by conducting medical,
optometry, and civil engineering programs. Operations like Pacific Angel
build and sustain relationships with our multinational partners, and
non-governmental agencies in the Asia-Pacific region. (Courtesy photo)
Nepali children look through a window at Machhapuchhre Higher Secondary
School of Dhikur Pokhari, Nepal and watch U.S. Air Force and Nepalese Army
civil engineers repair one of the school's buildings during Operation
Pacific Angel 12-4 on Sept. 9, 2012. U.S. Pacific Command's Operation Pacific
Angel 12-4 in Nepal is a Pacific Air Forces planned event that enhances
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities between the United
States and Pacific partners. Operations like Pacific Angel build and sustain
relationships with our multinational partners in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)
A Nepali man smiles after receiving new glasses during U.S. Pacific
Command's Operation Pacific Angel 12-4, Nepal. Pacific Angel 12-4 is a
Pacific Air Forces planned event that enhances humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief capabilities between the United States and Pacific partners.
The U.S. was invited by the Nepal government to provide support by
conducting medical, optometry, and civil engineering programs. Operations
like Pacific Angel build and sustain relationships with our multinational
partners in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt.
Jeffrey Allen)
9/25/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- A multinational team led by U.S., Nepalese, and Australian military and civilians treated more than 4,100 villagers, repaired and renovated three schools, and shared expertise Sept. 10-15, during Operation Pacific Angel 12-4 in Nepal.
The first-ever Pacific Angel mission in Nepal featured free medical assistance in pediatrics, optometry, physiotherapy, public health infection control, food safety, women's health and pre-post partum nutrition care.
A very real example of the benefits of working together came during the mission when a newborn baby got a second chance at life. The child was a breech birth, and local doctors had pronounced him dead when two Project Hope doctors teamed up with a Nepal Army nurse to provide rescue breathing - reviving him, to the delight of a grateful family.
In addition to the thousands of patients receiving care, 80 Nepal Army and U.S. military designers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, and brick-layers enhanced and improved a school hostel, restroom facilities, water tank and pump systems, and school cafeteria at Machapuchhre primary and secondary schools, and at the Macchhapuchhre district post.
The U.S. and Nepalese also shared information and techniques related to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and emergency response. Members of the Nepal Army, U.S. Air Force, and Pokhara police force held classes and conducted simulated exercises at the Western Regional Nepal Army Headquarters.
The entire effort featured over 200 Nepal Army, U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Mongolian Armed Forces members. They were assisted by the staffs of Gandaki Medical College, Teaching Hospital and Research Centre Private Limited (Charak Hospital), Himalaya Eye Hospital - Nau Danda Training Health Post, and the Western Regional Health Directorate. Also helping were volunteers from the Junior Red Cross of Shree Machapuchhre Higher Secondary School, and the Dikhur Pokhari Youth Network.
Participants, officials, and local citizens reflected on the successful mission during a ceremony at Machhapuchhre Higher Secondary School in Kaski District, Pokhara, Sept. 17. During the closing festivities, a U.S. Air Force general officer spoke on the value of teamwork and partnership.
"We are honored to have worked alongside the Nepal Army through our Pacific Angel program, and deeply appreciate the hospitality our Nepalese hosts have extended to us," said Maj. Gen. Russell J. Handy, Director of Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs for U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
"These efforts are a visible expression of our combined commitment to peace and stability in this region -- with the desire to strengthen the relationship between our countries and our continuing resolve to ensure increased humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in this region," Handy said. "Throughout this past week, we have been continually impressed with the professionalism of the Nepal Army, and applaud the Nepal Army and the Ministry of Home Affairs for their diligent efforts to improve the quality of life of Nepal's citizens," the general added.
Officiating over the ceremony for Nepal was Nepal Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Nepal Bhusan Chand, and Western Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Victor.
Since 2007, Pacific Angel operations have been the cornerstone of U.S. Pacific Air Force's engagement efforts to partner with host nation military personnel throughout the Asia-Pacific region to improve the lives of tens of thousands of people and integrate operations with like-minded military and civilian professionals.
