News>Transit Center Airmen help beautify local Kyrgyz school
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U.S. Air Force members from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, do yardwork at a grade school in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
U.S. Air Force members from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, paint a play yard at a grade school in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
A local woman near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan passes by a grade school that is being renovated by Theater Security Cooperation, a U.S. Air Force ran program at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, August 7, 2012. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
A U.S. Air Force member from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, paints parts of a play yard at a grade school in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
U.S. Air Force members from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, do yardwork at a grade school in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
A U.S. Air Force member from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, paints a bench at a grade school in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
A local woman near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan cleans up the play yard of a grade school that is being renovated by Theater Security Cooperation, a U.S. Air Force ran program at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, August 7, 2012. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
U.S. Air Force members from the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, meet with a principal of a local grade schooll in Bishkek, August 7, 2012. The airman volunteered to renovate the school through a program with the Theater Security Cooperation, an USAF ran program that helps the local community. TSC has a two-fold mission: to positively influence political leaders and to strengthen democracy in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)
by Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness
Air Forces Central Public Affairs
8/15/2012 - PRIGORODNOE, Kyrgyzstan -- The 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron does more than just fuel the fight; they also find time to build partnerships within the local Kyrgyz community.
Approximately 10 members from the 22nd EARS stationed at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, helped clean up the Prigorodnoe Village High School Aug. 7, in preparation for the start of the school year.
"Today we are helping beautify the school before the end of summer break," said Capt. Eric Richardson, 22nd EARS aircraft commander. "We cut down a few trees, mowed, swept and painted."
Volunteering with the school is nothing new to the Transit Center Airmen.
"We sponsor three schools in the local community, said Lt. Col. Russel Davis, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander. " One of our priorities is to develop U.S. and Kyrgyz relationships. [By volunteering] we are affecting the next generation of their children. I want people to come here and have an active role and make their surroundings better."
The high school is different than in the U.S. because children from seven to 17 years old attend the same school which teaches grades one through 11.
"This high school was built in 1986 and was originally for 320 students," said Aichurek Ismanova, Prigorodnoe, Village High School principal. "Now there are 750 kids who come to school here. This is the only school in the village, and since it is a suburb of Bishkek, it is growing really fast."
Today is a work day to help clean up the school before the start of the school year Sept. 1, she continued.
And while all the teachers came out to help clean up the school, it was a nice support to have the Airmen's assistance, said Ismanova.
"We are happy to have the help, and together we can help make the school beautiful," she added. "It's a big help when the Airmen come to help out. We are happy to have their assistance."
For many of the Airmen, it was their first time outside of the Transit Center.
"I wanted to get the chance to see another culture," said Airman 1st Class Erin Ong, 22nd EARS boom operator. "It also shows that we are here to help, and not just here to perform the air refueling mission."
The Airmen cleaned up the school, but they also realized the significance of making friendships with the Kyrgyz people.
"It's important to foster relationships with the Kyrgyz people," said Capt. Tran Lien, 22nd EARS flight surgeon who is deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., "It is a good chance to show that we are friends and give them an idea of what we do locally."
After a long day of work, the principal gathered the Airmen and through a translator thanked them for their hard work, dedication, and willingness to help. The group also received an invitation to come back when school is in session.
