Pacific Angel 23-2 enhances capabilities, strengthens partnerships

TSETSERLEG, MONGOLIA

08.28.2023

Story by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin 

Pacific Air Forces

TSETSERLEG, Mongolia– For the first time since 2019, armed forces from around the world came back to Mongolia to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as part of exercise Pacific Angel. This iteration, PAC ANGEL 23-2, was a multilateral exercise that pulled military personnel from Nepal, Thailand, Mongolia, the U.S., and Australia from Aug. 21 - 26.
The exercise was conducted to promote military, civilian and non-governmental organization cooperation and improve interoperability between participating forces and their respective medical and engineering professionals.
These objectives were accomplished through medical health service outreaches, engineering civic action programs (ENCAPS), and subject matter expert exchanges.
The ENCAPS are projects sorted into two categories; those that the U.S. has contracted out to Mongolian civil engineers, and those that the engineers from each participating nation take on directly. The projects included refurbishing a senior citizen center, community benches and a basketball court in Jargalant, and a hospital in Tsenkher.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to get our guys to be able to work with other tradesmen,” said Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Andrew Warmington, 65th Air Base Recovery Squadron. “To get to know the different ways that people work, different skill sets that everybody has, to learn new tactics.”
By working with individual engineers, the team built a network between the mayors of each city and local workers to allow more efficient contracting of future projects in the area.
“We come out here and find these guys in remote communities who are capable, if they're given a budget,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard White, PAC ANGEL 23-2 Contracting noncommissioned officer in charge. “If we tell them that we will pay for a project, then they’ll be able to do things that grow and better the community.”
Working with and learning from strangers often creates friendships. PAC ANGEL is about giving care to those who need it, but what is ultimately created is a long-lasting foundation of friendship between the nations.
“We want this to be the norm,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Studer, PAC ANGEL 23-2 Mission Commander. “To work with these guys, and to be allowed to be here. Just being here is a big step towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Over the course of two weeks, medical care was given to over 2,084 patients, and around six engineering feats were completed.
Pacific Angel 23-2 was successful on the fronts of providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, but more importantly, a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other was instilled within all participating nations.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2023
• Date Posted: 09.11.2023 15:20
• Story ID: 453103
• Location: TSETSERLEG, MN