Pacific Unity 2011

U.S. Air Force Reserve Technical Sergeant Elmer Domingo, crew member of the 624th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, works with Vietnamese military members to make improvements to Thach Dong medical clinic in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam on August 18th, 2011 in support of Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) Pacific Unity 11-4. The operation includes more than 60 U.S. and Vietnamese service members, contractors and support personnel, and showcases the potential of total force integration and multinational interoperability. (U.S. Air Force image/Master Sgt. John Herrick)

Pacific Unity 2011

In support of Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) Pacific Unity 11-4, U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, Gulfport, Miss., and U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen from the 624th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, work with Vietnamese military and contractor personnel to make improvements on the Thach Dong medical clinic in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, on August 18th, 2011. The operation includes more than 60 U.S. and Vietnamese military members, contractors and support personnel, and showcases the potential of total force integration and multinational interoperability. (U.S. Air Force image/Master Sgt. John Herrick)

Pacific Unity 2011

Hickam Reservists building unity in Vietnam

Published Aug. 25, 2011
By Pacific Unity Public Affairs

HA TINH, Vietnam -- More than 60 military civil engineers, construction workers and volunteers from the U.S. and Vietman are renovating three medical clinics in Ha Tinh Province as part of a Pacific Unity mission.

Pacific Unity is a U.S. Pacific Command funded Humanitarian Assistance mission, coordinated through the People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province. Pacific Unity is a bilateral (U.S. and Vietnam) and joint (U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy) Engineering Civic Action Program conducted in combination with People's Committee of Ha Tinh Province civil authorities and provincial military command.

U.S. Air Force Prime BEEF (624th Civil Engineer Squadron) and U.S. Navy Seabees (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133) construction teams in combination with People's Committee of Ha Tinh civil and military teams and selected construction contractors continue to make major renovation of three medical clinics; Thach Dong Clinic, Thach Mon Clinic, and Ha Huy Tap Clinic.

"To represent America here is great," said Staff Sgt. Gil Miguel, 624th Civil Engineer Squadron. "[We are] Just trying to improve the standards of their clinics. Every little thing from building walls to painting exterior/interior just beautifies the clinic as best as we can."

The project began Aug. 9 and will conclude Aug. 29.

As part of the planning process, the 3 medical clinics were evaluated by local contractors and military civil engineer planners to determine the needs for each. In following the plan that was created, the construction team of Seabees, civil engineers, Vietnamese military and local contractors and volunteers work together to provide lasting improvements. These improvements go beyond just the infrastructure.

"One of the things I love about Vietnam is the culture and the people," said Miguel. "I'm beginning to know who the people are, how the culture is. And it's a great experience. And I hope that I am making a positive image of what Americans are."

The team has laid tile, built incinerators, replaced plumbing, built bathrooms, showers and water catchment systems, repaired roofs, upgraded electrical systems, repainted, and landscaped.

But most importantly, they have built lasting relationships with the Vietnamese military.

"I think our work here is a small piece of the bigger goal of building a relationship with the people of Vietnam. I think our work will leave a lasting impression on the community which could grow into a great friendship," Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Hall, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Gulfport, Miss., project supervisor for the Thach Dong Clinic.