Czech Republic Ambassador to Afghanistan visits Afghan Air Force Base; presents awards

AFGHANISTAN

11.24.2010

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Walker 

438th Air Expeditionary Wing

The Czech Republic Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karel Pelz, visited the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul, Afghanistan, to present awards to Czech, Afghan and coalition Airman for service to country and work with coalition forces, Nov. 24.

Ambassador Pelz said that he is very proud of the work the Czech airmen here in Afghanistan. The Czech Air Operational Mentoring Liaison Team has been training and advising alongside the NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan / 438th Air Expeditionary Wing for two and a half years. The Czech Air OMLT provides maintenance and operational expertise in the Mi-35 attack helicopter.

“They are serving shoulder to shoulder with the Afghans here. We share bilateral cooperation for decades especially in the 60’s and 70’s. Our cooperation was very fruitful and based on economy and culture exchanges. We had a lot of Afghan students in our country. I hope that this time and in the future that this will repeat and that both sides well profit from it,” said Pelz.

In regards to Czech soldiers being in Afghanistan Kelz said that they are part of a great international effort and while here they are sharing history with the Afghans.

“Hopefully, we shall contribute to a free and prosperous Afghanistan where people will be happy to live. I feel pride in our soldiers here. I feel pride in the situation where I can watch the Afghans grow and know that the Czech Republic helped them,” said Kelz.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2010
• Date Posted: 11.24.2010 09:04
• Story ID: 60799
• Location: AF