News>U.S. forces care for thousands during PACANGEL-Philippines
Photos
Airman 1st Class Taylor Vondrasek, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, takes a moment to connect with the children from Binitayan Elementary School, Legazpi City, Philippines, on March 5, 2012. Vondrasek and fellow engineers from the U.S. and Philippine military forces rebuilt three class rooms at the school during the six-day mission. Another group of engineers rebuilt a huge classroom at Bigaa Elementary School, Bigaa, Philippines. The students spent time at recess observing the engineers during Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines, a joint and humanitarian mission, which included engineering support to the region as well as medical, dental, optometry and subject-matter expert exchanges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Allison Day)
Filipino children play in the play tent while their parents receive medical care during Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines on March 10, 2012 in Legazpi City, Philippines. PACANGEL is a joint and combined humanitarian mission, which kicked off March 5. More than 8,500 patients were seen during the six-day mission. The mission included medical, dental, optometry, engineering support and subject-matter expert exchanges with host nation counterparts. Knowledge gained while working alongside host country agencies and militaries, to include non-governmental agencies, can be used during any future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.
An elderly Filipino patient learns the shaka sign of Aloha while waiting for medical care during Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines on March 6, 2012. PACANGEL is a joint and combined humanitarian mission, which kicked off March 5. More than 8,500 patients were seen during the six-day mission. The mission included medical, dental, optometry, engineering support and subject-matter expert exchanges with host nation counterparts. Knowledge gained while working alongside host country agencies and militaries to include non-governmental agencies can be used during any future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.
by Master Sgt. Allison Day
13th Air Force Public Affairs
3/19/2012 - LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, officially wrapped up during a closing ceremony this morning at Bigaa Elementary School, Bigaa, here.
More than 8,500 people in the Bicol Province of Albay received medical, dental and optometry care during the PACANGEL mission March 5 through 10. Hundreds more were the beneficiaries of subject-matter expert exchanges, to include women's health, oral hygiene and water sanitation, and three sites were the locations for engineering support.
"This mission has been a tremendous success," said Lt. Col. Mike Black, PACANGEL mission commander. "We could not have had the success we did without our partners."
The Armed Forces Philippines, Philippine National Police, Cambodian and Tongan military forces, non-governmental agencies, local government units and hundreds of volunteers partnered with 99 U.S. military members to provide humanitarian assistance.
"We've had a great time working with our partners and made many new friends throughout the Albay Province," said Black. "We have accomplished PACANGEL side-by-side, shoulder -to-shoulder and it's been one of the most outstanding experiences of my career."
Patient after patient expressed thanks as they were seen by providers.
"One of our first patients was an elderly lady, who was very emotional and wept as she limped to the medical tent," said Staff Sgt. Katherine Caraballo, 36th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. "As we helped her to her seat, I asked why she was crying and she said, 'these are tears of joy, because I am happy that you are here.'"
At that moment, Caraballo said, she realized how much the mission meant to the people of Bicol and what serving meant to her.
Master Sgt. Richardson, Headquarters Air Force surgeon general office international health specialist, Washington, D.C., had similar feelings.
"Operations like this are what I love to do and why I continue to do it after 22 years of service," she said. "One of my memorable things on this deployment is how gracious the host nation was to us. The way they take care of people is pleasing to my soul."
Providing care to patients could not have been possible without AFP and PNP resolving credentialing issues.
"Without their help providers would not have been credentialed by the Philippine government to practice medicine here," said. Lt. Col. Timothy Martinez, 13th Air Force Surgeon General chief of medical operations, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "We promised the host nation we would see 5,500 patients but we ended up caring for 8,588 Filipinos from this community."
Although the amount of patients increased by more than 50 percent, Martinez said, "PNP and Dios Mabalos Po Foundation came to our rescue by donating critical supplies." He also stressed the relationship with PACANGEL partners was, "a true partnership."
The relationships built and sustained with our multinational partners in the Asia-Pacific region through operations like these help tremendously in humanitarian efforts and in preserving peace and stability in the region, explained Black.
Operation PACANGEL is led by 13th Air Force, JBPHH. There are three more PACANGELs scheduled this year in Laos, Vietnam and Nepal.
