Airmen conduct community event in Thailand

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young
  • Defense Media Activity-Hawaii
BAU NONG SROUNG, Thailand --  U.S., Thai and Singaporean airmen joined together March 4 to provide medical, dental and optometry care to local Thai residents here as part of Cope Tiger 2010.

Cope Tiger, conducted this year March 1 to 12 from both Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Thailand, is a multilateral aerial large force exercise aimed at improving interoperability and strengthening relationships with partner nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

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

Dr. (Maj.) Kurt Nishiguchi, an Air Force reservist deployed to the exercise from the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, took time from his private dental practice to support 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 patient and doctor, 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 from Kunsan Air Base, South 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 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.

U.S. Airmen from all over the Asia-Pacific region, as well as many guardsmen and reservists from the U.S. mainland, were present. Staff Sgt. Destin Huey, originally from Spartanburg, S.C., said the community event was an enriching experience.

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

The U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and Republic of Singapore Air Force are participating in Cope Tiger 2010. U.S. participation is led by 13th Air Force at JB Pearl Harbor Hickam, on behalf of Pacific Air Forces.