Operation Pacific Angel 13-3 wraps up in Vietnam

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla
  • PACANGEL 13-3 Public Affairs
DONG HOI, Vietnam --  Members of the U.S. military and Vietnam People's Army wrapped up Operation Pacific Angel 13-3 June 17, after conducting humanitarian assistance efforts for six days in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam.

Fifty three U.S. military members joined approximately 15 members of the VPA and more than 40 members of a non-governmental organization, East Meets West, to conduct the operation.

The three key pillars of PACANGEL operations are Health Services Outreach, Engineering Civil Action Programs and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. HSO provided medical care to more than 4000 patients at two separate sites in the Quang Binh Province; the ENCAP fully renovated one medical clinic and made essential facility repairs to two schools; and the SMEEs allowed U.S. and Vietnam forces to exchange techniques and information on specific topics like public health and construction safety.

"Over the past week, our two nations have partnered with military and civilian medical professionals to provide general health, dental, optometry and physical therapy services," said Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, Pacific Air Forces chief of staff, during the PACANGEL 13-3 closing ceremony. "We have also helped to provide structural, plumbing, and electrical engineering assistance to the people of Dong Hoi. These projects are a visible expression of our commitment to Asia, the importance of our relationship with Vietnam, and our strong support for international disaster and humanitarian relief efforts in the region."

Previous PACANGEL engagements in Vietnam were conducted in Quang Tri Province in September 2009, Can Tho Province in May 2010, and Nghe An Province in June 2012.

Handy explained that not only does Pacific Angel operations allow the U.S. to help people in need, but it also helps the U.S. to work better with medical and engineering professionals in Vietnam and the region. Military members of both U.S. and Vietnam shared a similar opinion and said the whole experience was incredibly positive.

"I've enjoyed partnering with the U.S. military members because they have worked with passion and enthusiasm," said Junior Lieutenant Tran Trung Hieu, a member of the VPA who worked side-by-side with Airmen, Soldiers and Marines on the ENCAP team. "They are very thoughtful and pay very close attention to every step they take while working."

The lieutenant went on to explain that he liked working with his U.S. counterparts because he has learned a lot of lessons from them such as working with passion, detail and above all safety.

Although working at a completely different site, with completely different mission sets, U.S. Air Force Maj. Amy Gammill, a doctor working at the HSO site, shared the lieutenant's appreciation of knowledge gained.

"I really enjoyed being a part of the HSO because it gave me the opportunity to not only learn about another culture but work with Vietnamese doctors and understand their practice of medicine and their approach to a patient," said Gammill, Internal Medicine Branch chief for the Aeromedical Consult Service at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "I was also very impressed by the friendliness and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people."

The joint and combined humanitarian assistance led by Pacific Air Forces have helped thousands around the Asia-Pacific region including Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and are scheduled to continue operations in Cambodia and Sri Lanka.