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Fairchild Airmen in Manas Air Base Outreach Society

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry Carpenter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Airmen deployed from Fairchild provide a helping hand to the local community through the Manas Air Base Outreach Society.

Airman 1st Class Ashley Phillips and her husband, Airman 1st Class Mark Phillips, both from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron, found a way to be ambassadors for the Air Force while deployed to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.

The Phillips found out about the MABOS program when they first arrived at Manas during a Right Start briefing when they were told what the program did and about the different places that they volunteer.

"A briefer came in and explained MABOS, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get off base and also get some volunteer hours," said Ashley.

"Winning the hearts and minds of the Kyrgyzstan people through the spirit of love and generosity," is the goal of the MABOS, according to outreach society literature, and the Phillips' echo that sentiment.

"We're trying to help establish good terms between this country and the U.S.," said Airman Phillips.

So far, the Phillips have primarily spent their time at the Children's Cancer Center which treats patients from all over Kyrgyzstan with Ashley making two visits and her husband Mark three.

"The security forces squadron kind of adopted the children's center," said Ashley. "There are always cops going over there."

One thing that makes interacting with the children more difficult is the communication barrier that exists between the patients and the Airmen that are visiting them - the Kyrgyz speak Russian and most of the Airmen don't.

"The kids are really smart and know that we don't speak Russian and they don't try English," she said. "It finally comes down to using gestures and pointing to communicate."

Everyone that visits the cancer center generally finds someone special that they spend their time with, and Ashley was no different.

"There is a 3-year-old little girl that I spend all my time with," she said. "At, first she was very quiet and shy but she finally opened up."

Half-way through their deployment, the Phillips' look forward to the chance to spend more time out in the community.

"We try to get out to the children's center every chance we get, but we would also visit the elderly women, small villages and orphanages," said Ashley. "I jump at any chance to get off the base and help."

MABOS has spent over $70,000, received over 42,000 pounds of donated goods, invested approximately 32,000 volunteer hours, and supported 67 infant heart surgeries and one brain surgery since it was established in 2003. With the help from deployed Airmen, such as the Phillips, these numbers should continue to rise.

"Without a doubt everyone should sign up for a trip to get out in the community and help out," said Ashley. "It's so rewarding and incredible."

Ashley said that she is currently scheduled to go out to the Babushka Elderly Foundation on May 18. MABOS members visit with the elderly ladies, take them out to lunch, and give them a variety of gifts, such as clothing items and food.