Operation Pacific Angel 13-5 ends on high note

by Senior Master Sgt. Allison Day
Pacific Angel 13-5 Public Affairs

9/17/2013 - TAKEO PROVINCE, Cambodia  -- Closing celebrations for Operation Pacific Angel 13-5 Cambodia, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, was held on the grounds at the Rominh Health Center, here Sept. 17.
Sixteen U.S. and 20 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces members worked as a team to renovate the Tram Kok, Nhaeng Nhang, and Rominh Health Centers Sept. 9 - 14.

"Over the past week, our two nations have partnered with military professionals to provide structural, plumbing, and electrical engineering assistance to the people of Takeo Province," said Lt. Col. Greg Nowak, PACANGEL mission commander from Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "These projects are a visible expression of the Unites States' commitment to Asia-Pacific and demonstrate our continuing resolve to support international disaster and humanitarian relief efforts in this region."

The efforts of the engineers have not gone unnoticed by the local people. One lady who lives close to Rominh Health Center shared her feelings.

"I have lived here my whole life," said Mrs. Som Soun. "I use the health center, my children and my grandchildren use the health center. My grandson had Dengue Fever recently and had to stay at the health center. I am happy to see the improvements that are taking place."

Operation Pacific Angel 13-5 is a good opportunity for honing the abilities of the RCAF engineers, said Lt. Gen. Pen Ra deputy commander, Engineering Forces Command Headquarters, Phnom Pen.

"More importantly, PACANGEL strengthens cooperation and partnership between U.S. and RCAF engineers while supporting humanitarian activities for the Cambodian people," he added.

Rich Durnan, a Peace Corps volunteer who works at Rominh explains the value for Operation Pacific Angel 13-5.

"Takeo is a province that is isolated by geography and often overlooked because of its location," said Durnan. "Health centers are the face of medical care to most Cambodians. The renovations of this health center help establish creditability and capacity. We are now able to provide services to patients in a beautiful modern health center."

Dr, Vorng Sara, the Rominh health care center director born and raised in Takeo, could not agree more and expressed his appreciation for the engineers.
"On an average we see about 100 patients a day," said Vorng. "I am very pleased about the renovations and improved facilities for patient care. I am thankful to the engineers for all their work."

Engineers worked in the blazing heat of Cambodia and often times the rain to meet their deadline of Sept. 14.

"In one week engineers installed 800 feet of electrical wire, 40 switches, 60 receptacles, 80 fixtures, 300 feet of surface mount raceway, 100 feet of conduit, two split-unit air conditioners, seven exterior light fixtures, two water pumps, a 1.5 kilowatt photo voltaic system and completely rewired four facilities," said U.S. Master Sgt. John Barboni, the deputy lead engineer planner from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan.

"In addition, plumbers laid 300 feet of new water line, dug a 40 foot drain system, laid 180 feet of sewer line, installed 12 plumbing fixtures, a 1000 liter water storage tank, installed a shower, upgraded three potable water-distribution systems and repaired two well pumps," said U.S. Senior Master Sgt. Kurt Kowaleski, the lead engineer planner from the 18th CES, Kadena AB.

For Barboni, the experience working this operation has been unique.

"This is my first PACANGEL and it's been great working side-by-side with the RCAF; it's been an awesome exchange," said Barboni. "We've learned so much from each other and it's been a pleasure making these health centers safe for people to work and providing quality facilities for the local populace to receive medical care greatly improving their chance of survival."

In its sixth year, Operation Pacific Angel includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs, and subject-matter expert exchanges. The operation is hosted by U.S. Pacific Command and implemented jointly with other governments, non-governmental agencies, and multilateral militaries in the Asia Pacific region. Four other operations were conducted this year in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. This is the fifth and final operation this year.