376th ECS Airmen donate time, supplies to Kyrgyz village

KAMYSHANOVKA, Kyrgyzstan – Staff Sgt. Diamond Edwards tries to block the shot of a local child as the two play a game of basketball here July 1. After donating a public address system to the village, Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas’ 376th Expeditionary Communications Squadron played games of basketball, volleyball, American football and Frisbee with village children. Edwards is a communications project manager deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

KAMYSHANOVKA, Kyrgyzstan – Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Communications Squadron watch as a Kyrgyz child dribbles toward a basketball hoop during the group’s visit to the Kamyshanovka School July 1. The Transit Center at Manas Airmen donated a public address system and sporting equipment to the village. They then spent the afternoon playing games with students and interacting with village officials. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

376th ECS Airmen donate time, supplies to Kyrgyz village

Published July 6, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Communications Squadron here delivered a public address system and sporting equipment to the Kamyshanovka village July 1.

The squadron members became aware of the villager's need for the public address system through interactions with Mayor Marlis Kubatov, the 376th ECS honorary squadron commander.

"There was a need identified, and since electronics and communications falls under our auspices of control we thought it would be a good first-time donation to the school," said Maj. Marcus Cooley, 376th ECS commander. "We knew it would benefit them greatly."

The mayor had the Airmen deliver the public address system to the school, where community events are often held. The school has more than 300 students who are currently on summer break; however, several children gathered at the school to play games with the Airmen.

"I came out to play with the kids," said Tech. Sgt. Michelle Jenkins, 376th ECS knowledge operations.

This is Sergeant Jenkins' second trip to the village. During this visit the Transit Center Airmen also brought a volleyball, basketball and Frisbees for the children.

"I like to give back," said the sergeant deployed from Vance Air Force Base, Okla. "I liked playing with the children and helping out. There is the language barrier but when we play it is no longer there."

After a few games of volleyball with the students the Airmen sat down with the mayor and school officials for tea and cookies. During this time the mayor and school officials expressed their gratitude for the donation and a desire to maintain the relationship between the two groups.

"Thanks a lot for coming to visit us," said Ainura Torusheva, school deputy. "Please come back and visit us often."

At the end of tea Kubatov presented Cooley, who redploys to Washington, D.C., later this month, with a traditional Kyrgyz jacket and hat.

"You can't wear this everyday at home, but you can keep it and remember us," the mayor said. "We will miss you. You did a lot for us. We wish you good health and good luck."

The major told the officials, "You never know, I may end up back in Kyrgyzstan."

The group responded to this thought with smiles.

"You are always welcome here," Torusheva said.

Cooley believes his squadron's relationship with the village willn't end when he leaves the country.

"I had a really great (year-long) tour, and I'm sure the 376th ECS will keep contributing to the growth of this village and others," he said. "These the kids are the next generation of leadership."