Sky High in Chile - Day 3
Buenos Noches everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying reading my entries. While I’m sure many of you are looking forward to reading about my adventures at FIDAE and all the aircraft being showcased here, but today’s entry is geared to another aspect of this trip; the humanitarian mission. While the 12th Air Force is here to participate in the air expo and military exercises, it is also here to give back to the community. And one realities of Chile is the vast difference between the booming business society and the poor. And today we had a chance to visit an orphanage and hang out with the children there.
But before all that was attending the opening ceremonies at FIDAE 2008. Here are the top brass of the Chilean Air Force officially starting the air expo.
And today I had a chance to visit with Mr. Bruce Lemkin, the Deputy Under Secretary of the United States Air Force (International Affairs). Here he is with the F-15E Strike Eagle Demo team.
Then I wandered around FIDAE for a little bit and observed the calm before the storm. Here are a pair of tails of F-16’s from the US Air Force and the Chilean Air Force.
And the Airbus A380 framing the Chilean LAN airlines Boeing 777.
And then it was off to the orphanage with the pilots and crew of the F-15E from Mountain Home AFB and KC-135 from the Arizona ANG.
These children were so thrilled to be visited by the Air Force. We had lunch with the kids and played around with them.
The crews gave the children squadrons stickers, girl scout cookies, and toys to remember them by.
Also in attendance was a quartet from the Air Force Band. They played some music and sang songs with the children.
While the air expo is the main draw, events like these will leave a longer impression when it’s all said and done. This was easily the highlight of my trip so far. These kids were absolute angels and I’m happy to have been able to spend my afternoon with them.
Adios!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Hi Sagar:
What a moving experience this must have been for you and the crews from the USAF. Thanks for sharing this story, as a father I can only imagine how happy these children must have been when they saw you and the AF crews coming visit with them and give away all those nice goodies too. Good job man!
Jeff Moore
April 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Hey Sagar!
Glad to hear you arrived safely. For a military operation, it sounds relatively painless. Ha, ha! Sounds like a great time there in Santiago. I have been perusing your site and there some good shots. How did you like the cargo webbing? Have a great time buddy and I’ll talk to you upon your return.
JT
April 8th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Wonderful stuff, Sagar. Many times “missions” like these don’t make the press. The selection of images you used with this particular entry are wonderful and very telling of how appreciative those children are. Great work and enjoy Chile!!