U.S., Cambodia partner for civil military assistance mission

BAK KLARNG, Cambodia -- Capt. Meghan Vanderheiden and Tech. Sgt. Anabel Parks numb a patient before performing a dental procedure during Operation PACIFIC ANGEL 11-1 Aug. 8, 2011, Bak Klarng, Cambodia. The operation supports U.S. Pacific Command’s capacity-building efforts by partnering with other governments in the region to provide medical, dental, optometry and engineer assistance to their citizens. Captain Vanderheiden is a dentist and Sergeant Parks is a hygienist; both are assigned to the 35th Dental Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

By Capt David Herndon
PACAF Public Affairs (US Pacific Air Forces)

8/9/2011 - KOH KONG, Cambodia -- U.S. Airmen are partnering with their Royal Cambodian Armed Forces aircrew, engineer, and medical counterparts this week for a combined civil military assistance mission in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, scheduled to run through Aug. 12.

The mission, known as Operation Pacific Angel 11-1, is part of a series of joint and combined humanitarian assistance partnership engagements led by host nation military units, local non-governmental organizations and Pacific Air Forces Airmen assigned to 13th Air Forces.

Approximately 60 U.S. Airmen from Active Duty, Guard and Reserve units are teaming with RCAF personnel and local NGOs for Health Services Outreach engagements, an Engineer Civic Assistance Program, and Health and Airfield Subject Matter Expert Exchanges.

"As part of Operation Pacific Angel 11-1, the [United States] and Airmen who are on the ground this week are committed to supporting and partnering with the RCAF and people of Koh Kong Province," said Lt. Col. Al Alana, Pacific Angel Cambodia 11-1 mission commander, permanently assigned with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 109th Air Operations Group. "This will be an exciting week and we look forward to an exchange of ideas and practices that will ultimately better our ability to respond together."

The colonel continued that Airmen from North Carolina and Idaho National Guard units, Air Force Reserve Command, and all nine U.S. Pacific Air Forces bases traveled great distances and are energized and ready to partner with the people of Cambodia.

Officially in its fourth year, Operation Pacific Angel supports U.S. Pacific Command's capacity-building efforts by partnering with other governments in the Pacific to provide medical, dental, veterinary and engineering assistance to their citizens.

"The relationships that we will build and sustain through this military operation with help tremendously in future humanitarian efforts and in preserving peace and stability in the region," said the colonel.

According to the Pacific Angel planners, since 2007, U.S. military members, together with host nation military personnel throughout the region, have improved the lives of tens of thousands of people through operation execution.