Photo By Staff Sgt. Jodi Eastham | Distinguished Visitors attending the dedication ceremony pose with a picture of the...... read more read more
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LOPBURI, Thailand – U.S. Air Attaché to Thailand Col. Albert Fritts, with Defense Attaché, Indian Embassy in Thailand Capt. Vikas Sharma, Malaysian Embassy Representative Lt. Mohammed Luqman, Thai Air Vice Marshall Punpakdee Pattankul and Director Nongluk Thumapa of Bangkhaotien School attended the dedication ceremony for the multipurpose building in Lopburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 20, 2018 as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018.
Many members of the community were in attendance. All of them viewing the new building with pride and high spirits finally able to see it completed. The dedication ceremony started with a young group of native dancers ending with the distinguished visitors showcasing the building to all who were present.
“The project started January 20th and was finished February 19th,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Jack Robinson, commander of the 18th Civil Engineering Squadron, 18th Civil Engineering Group out of Kadena Air Base.
In total there were six engineering civil assistance projects across Thailand. This is the first dedication of the exercise.
“Now that it’s done,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Miguel Tavira Garcia from Phoenix, Ariz., who works pavement and equipment with 18th Civil Engineering Squadron, 18th Civil Engineering Group, “I don’t believe it-because of all the hard work. Working with other nations and the kids was an awesome experience to say the least.”
Exercise Cobra Gold builds approximately 5-6 multipurpose buildings every year in Thailand with partner and allied nations. India and Malaysia each sent five soldiers who helped construct this building, proving a strong bond exist between the allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Royal Thai Air Force sent 20 Airmen to help construct the building and the surrounding community of Bangkhaotien provided room and board for the soldiers and airmen.
Communities across the Asia-Pacific area came together to build a stronger community at Bangkhaotien School.
“I have a team not just Air Force,” said Robinson. “I had multiple nations for a team. We learned from each other for the same purpose.”
During the building’s construction the community helped provide needed materials to ensure its construction was done properly such as additional dirt for foundation support and a back hoe, said Robinson.
This project was aimed at improving the quality of life of students and their families in a less fortunate area in the Lopburi province.
As Exercise Cobra Gold 18 nears the end all involved in the construction of the building share the good feeling it is to give something long lasting to those in need and have it reciprocated with support and pride.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2018 08:26 |
| Story ID: | 266605 |
| Location: | TH |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Cobra Gold 18: First building dedication of Exercise Cobra Gold, by SSG Jodi Eastham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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