Photo By Tech. Sgt. Timothy Moore | A student asks a question to a panel of U.S. and Indonesian Air Force members during a...... read more read more
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U.S. Airmen assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, are participating in Cope West 23, a bilateral, tactical fighter exercise that offers the U.S. and Indonesian air forces the opportunity to work together to promote regional stability through enhanced mutual understanding and partner relationship building.
Several of those Airmen got the opportunity to join their Indonesian partners to showcase this relationship building to students during a visit to two high schools in Pekanbaru, Indonesia.
"My favorite part was seeing them very excited to come see us," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Bowen, 8th Maintenance Squadron aircrew egress systems craftsman. "I've met with my local counterparts before at previous places. I've met with the Dutch, the Jordanians, the Singaporeans and the Japanese, but this was the first time I've actually got to go to a local high school. It was a cool experience."
The group went to two different schools in Pekanbaru - Pekanbaru State High School 8 and Pekanbaru Integrated Plus High School - where they spoke to the students and answered questions as a panel.
"They were interested in not only the Air Force side of things, but they were also interested in just what we as Americans were thinking of Indonesia," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jon "Rasta" Kline, 35th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot.
The groups also got a short tour of the schools where they were able to learn a little more about their host. Bowen said one of the things he liked seeing was all of the trophies the schools had won from various competitions.
"It was a great experience," Bowen said. "It's one of the things I like about being in the military - meeting with the local nationals and chatting with them, not just as a member of the military but just as a human being learning from their culture and learning how they live life. I find that very interesting."
Kline agrees with that sentiment, saying the students' energy was exciting.
"They were super stoked to just have the ability to hang out with us, which kind of blew us away," Kline said. "We just had a good old time with it. It turned out to be a very fun experience.
Engagements like this are a further extension of the U.S. and Indonesia's 74 years of diplomatic relations, and solidify each nation's commitment to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Pacific region.
"Both the 3rd and the 16th Air Squadrons have been super welcoming," Kline said. "We've been really well received here, so it was nice to also go meet the people of Pekanbaru and help build similar relations with people off the base as well."
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2023 19:55 |
| Story ID: | 447814 |
| Location: | PEKANBARU, ID |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kunsan Air Base Airmen visit high schools in Indonesia, by TSgt Timothy Moore, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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