Afghan Air Force distributes supplies to nearby town

Published Dec. 22, 2010
By MC3 Jared E. Walker
438th AEW PA

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Members of the Afghan Air Force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan visited a village north of Kabul to distribute school supplies and clothes Dec. 22. This humanitarian mission was coordinated by Col. Basir, the AAF religious and cultural affairs and Maj. David M. Burnett, the AAF religious and cultural affairs adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing/NATC-A.

Notebooks, pens, pencils, soccer balls, frisbees, volleyballs and winter clothing, gloves, rubber boots and back packs were all distributed to the village's children. In addition, blankets and adult clothes were handed out to families.

"This is solely an AAF mission. The humanitarian mission is important because it establishes and builds upon the community relations between the Afghan Air Force and the villagers. The main goal is to promote the Afghan Air Force and show the Afghan civilians that they have an air force and they are here to help," said Major Burnett.

Major Burnett said that a majority of the local Afghan community doesn't even know that they have an air force, so the more the AAF does humanitarian missions, the stronger the foundation of trust will be built between them.

Major Burnett said that it brings a tremendous amount of pleasure for him to be involved in missions like this.

"It really humbles me to go on these missions and I love seeing the kids when they receive school supplies. These missions are definitely a highlight of my tour here in Afghanistan. Just to be helping, contributing and making the Afghans lives a little easier brings joy to me," said Major Burnett.