Operation Enduring Freedom

100809-N-6031Q-002 KABUL, Afghanistan - Airmen from the Afghan Air Force 201st Corps, the U.S. Air Force 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing prepared and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of school supplies for 600 students, sporting equipment, bedding, a large tent, and an all weather Afghanistan flag to the Chinari village in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2010. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen/ RELEASED).

Operation Enduring Freedom

100809-N-6031Q-006 KABUL, Afghanistan - Airmen from the Afghan Air Force 201st Corps, the U.S. Air Force 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing prepared and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of school supplies for 600 students, sporting equipment, bedding, a large tent, and an all weather Afghanistan flag to the Chinari village in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2010. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen/ RELEASED).

Operation Enduring Freedom

100809-N-6031Q-007 KABUL, Afghanistan - Airmen from the Afghan Air Force 201st Corps, the U.S. Air Force 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing prepared and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of school supplies for 600 students, sporting equipment, bedding, a large tent, and an all weather Afghanistan flag to the Chinari village in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2010. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen/ RELEASED).

Operation Enduring Freedom

100809-N-6031Q-008 KABUL, Afghanistan - Airmen from the Afghan Air Force 201st Corps, the U.S. Air Force 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing prepared and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of school supplies for 600 students, sporting equipment, bedding, a large tent, and an all weather Afghanistan flag to the Chinari village in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2010. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen/ RELEASED).

Operation Enduring Freedom

100809-N-6031Q-009 KABUL, Afghanistan - Airmen from the Afghan Air Force 201st Corps, the U.S. Air Force 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Wing prepared and delivered humanitarian aid consisting of school supplies for 600 students, sporting equipment, bedding, a large tent, and an all weather Afghanistan flag to the Chinari village in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2010. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen/ RELEASED).

Afghan Air Force Aids Chinari Village

Published Aug. 11, 2010
By MC2 Dave Quillen
438th AEW PA

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Chinari village sits in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city. Yet you would have no idea of its proximity to the major metropolis if you were to base you assumptions on the amenities of the village. That's not to say that the villagers and their children are not content or doing well, but with 600 students at the village school, several Afghan Air Force Lieutenants thought they could be doing better. With assistance from NATOs' Combined Air Power Transition Force, the lieutenants put together and delivered 2,000 supplies.

"The Mi-17 [helicopter] fleet routinely trains overhead of the village several times a week in this unsecured location. There have never been any attacks or threats against the forces so this village was chosen to show the Afghan Air Forces' appreciation to the village for their support and tolerance of the mission" explains Capt. Stacy Monaghan, U.S. Air Force, CAPTF. "It is hoped that by interacting with the village, the relationship between the civilian community and the military force would be strengthened."

Lead by Lt. Hotek, the Afghan lieutenants from the pilot candidate training facility procured a wide range of supplies for the school including enough aid so all the students received backpacks filled with supplies such as notebooks, maps, rulers, pens, and pencils. Additionally all the boys received prayer and winter hats while the girls received new scarves and socks.

Teachers were provided special packages of supplies to facilitate classroom instruction which included calculators, paints, flashlights and colored pencils. The school was provided a large assembly tent in which to hold classes in support of the increasing student population. Naturally the students were most excited about the sporting equipment, which included volleyball nets, volleyballs, soccer balls and cricket sets.

"One of the additional benefits was that there are many older students at the school and having a chance to meet the Afghan Airmen and talk with them about the benefits related to military service was an incredible opportunity for the students, and the Afghan Air Force to seek out potential leaders" said Captain Monaghan.

In addition to the humanitarian aid, the Afghan Air Force medical team will be following up on the village's medical needs.

The visit to the village afforded a few memorable moments such as when the Afghan lieutenants and the school principal raised the Afghan flag in the school courtyard. The flag pole had not been used in many years due to the lack of an Afghan flag. The flag was raised in the presence of the students and teachers, receiving excited cheers and thunderous applause. The Afghan Air Forces' female Mi-17 pilot distributed materials to the students. She had the opportunity to meet with the girls and educate them on women's opportunities in the Air Force.