Cultural exchange strengthens U.S., Thailand, Singapore relations

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kirsten Udd
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
KORAT, Thailand --  U.S., Thailand and Singapore Airmen participated in a cultural exchange at Ang Huai Yang School in Korat, Thailand, March 14, as part of Cope Tiger 2011, a multilateral joint and combined field training exercise.

Each year, Cope Tiger's community outreach programs enable Airmen from the three countries to strengthen ties with the local community.

"These community outreach visits are a great way for our Airmen to experience local culture, see the positive effect we can have during these exercises, and the kids get to practice their English while we get to learn Thai," said Maj. Greg Richert, Chief of Aerospace Medicine at 13th Air Force, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and medical lead for Exercise Cope Tiger 2011.

Students of the school delighted in teaching the Airmen words and numbers in Thai and also performed impromptu performances of Thailand's national anthem. For Master Sgt. Chris Lim, Cope Tiger Communication and Information supervisor, the interaction with the young students will always be remembered.

"The girls were so eager to teach us new words. They made sure we pronounced the words properly and it was a lot of fun," said the sergeant. "Interactions like this one today is just one of the many ways in which we try to build stronger friendships with the local community and our exercise partners."

Captains Adam Gaudinski and Tyler March, F-15 pilots with the 44th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, learned to write numbers in Thai and Arabic and were able to successfully play hangman, tic-tac-toe, and rock-paper-scissors with their group of girls. The captains and their counterparts recognize the uniqueness of this opportunity to be ambassadors for their nations.

"This was the first time that the military has visited the school students and the students were happy to meet with foreigners. The girls told me it was wonderful to spend time together and enjoyed teaching their numbers and letters," said Royal Thai Air Force Flight Lieutenant Khanthaman Devakul, correspondent for the Joint and Combined Exercise Division, Directorate of Operations,stationed at Don Mueng Air Base in Bangkok, Thailand.

The exchange closed with Airmen from the three militaries joining with the students and teachers in making green papaya salad and cooking a traditional Tom Yum Goong soup.

Cope Tiger aims to improve U.S.-Thailand-Singapore combined readiness and interoperability, to include humanitarian and disaster response capabilities, reinforcing U.S. Pacific Command's theater security cooperation goals in the Southeast Asia region.