PACANGEL Nepal

Nepalese Army Maj. Gen. Baldev Mahat greets Operation Pacific Angel-Nepal members during the opening ceremony in Manahari, Nepal, Sept. 8, 2014. PACANGEL supports U.S. Pacific Command’s capacity-building efforts by partnering with other governments, non-governmental agencies and multilateral militaries in the respective region to provide medical, dental, optometry and engineering assistance to their citizens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa B. White/Released)

PACANGEL Nepal

U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Nepalese Army service members watch the Pacific Angel-Nepal opening ceremony in Manahari, Nepal, Sept. 8, 2014. PACANGEL supports U.S. Pacific Command’s capacity-building efforts by partnering with other governments, non-governmental agencies and multilateral militaries in the respective region to provide medical, dental, optometry and engineering assistance to their citizens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa B. White/Released)

U.S., Nepal celebrate PACANGEL opening ceremony

Published Sept. 8, 2014
PACANGEL

CHITWAN, Nepal -- Nearly 700 local men, women and children lined up outside the gates of Shree Rastriya Rotary Secondary School in Manahari for day one of Operation Pacific Angel - Nepal.

U.S. and Nepalese service members came together alongside regional partners to celebrate the opening ceremony, which featured a traditional Nepalese lamp lighting and ribbon cutting that was presided over by Nepal Army Maj. Gen. Baldev Mahat.

"I want to thank everyone for their selfless service to the people of Nepal," Mahat said.
This year, the U.S. and Nepal will conduct humanitarian assistance capacity building operations Sept. 8-13 in the various areas of the Chitwan region.

In 2012, more than 4,000 local villagers in Pokhara, Nepal were given medical care in general medicine, optometry, dentistry, physical therapy, women's health and pediatrics.

"We share a deep bond with our brothers and sisters here in Nepal," said Lt. Col. Marc Martinez, Operation Pacific Angel - Nepal mission commander. "It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be invited to work hand in hand with our Nepalese counterparts."