Filipino, U.S. troops upgrade local library

By U.S. Air Force Capt. Darrick B. Lee

Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines Public Affairs

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Sept. 27, 2011) –  Members of the Philippine Air Force gave a boost to the Edwin Andrews Air Base Elementary School reading program Sept. 27 with the installation of new bookshelves and the arrival of books donated from U.S. forces.

The Philippine Air Force’s 530th Air Base Wing worked with members of U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P) to fill the school’s library with new books.

A sample of books donated from around the world rest on shelves built by the Philippine Air Force’s 530th Air Base Wing at Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga. Engineers from the wing’s Civil-Military Operations Squadron built the bookcases for the students, with help from U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to JSOTF-P. (Official U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darrick B. Lee.)    U.S. Air Force Capt. Kirsten Gipper, a member of the JSOTF-P, was one of the organizers of the book collection.

“We’ve done civil-military operations with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) before, but it’s usually in someplace more remote,” said Gipper, who works at the elementary school (EAAB) with the Philippine forces.

“We figured since we live at EAAB, we should try to find a way to do something for the kids here,” she added. “We talked to the PAF and they told us about the school’s needs. Then we began collecting book donations.”

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kathleen Garcia, a medical logistician with Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, reads to students of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga Sept. 27. Members of JSOTF-P helped the Philippine Air Force upgrade the school’s library by providing lumber for new bookcases and filling them with an international donation of new books. (Official U.S. Air Force Photo by Captain Darrick B. Lee)

Gipper and a friend, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erica Anders, a flight nurse with JSOTF-P, created a personal Facebook page to solicit donations. Shortly afterward, books began flowing in from all over the world.

Some of the books came from as far away as the United States; others came from places in the Pacific, such as Japan.  According to Gipper, many people ordered them online and had them shipped to the volunteers directly.

A variety of titles arrived, ranging from picture books for kindergartners to more advanced storybooks for intermediate readers.

 

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kirsten Gipper, a member of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines Liaison Control Element, reads to students of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga Sept. 27. Gipper is one of several volunteers who helped the Philippine Air Force upgrade the school’s library by collecting and donating books for children. (Official U.S. Air Force Photo by Captain Darrick B. Lee)

As the book collection grew, the school realized it needed more space to display them. Engineers from the 530th Air Base Wing’s civil-military operations squadron at EAAB built new bookcases for the library. U.S. Navy Seabees donated lumber to help the engineers make the bookshelves.

The volunteers joined Mrs. Victoria Mangeser, the school’s principal, in an informal ceremony to present the new books to the students. Mangeser then invited Anders and other volunteers to read to some of the children.

When the children were asked to choose which book should be read, the majority of the students yelled “Dora” after seeing a storybook bearing a picture of the popular television character. According to the school, many local libraries need books that promote leisure reading, instead of traditional schoolbooks. With more than 500 students at the school, the donations were well-received.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erica Anders, a flight nurse with Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, reads to students of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga Sept. 27. Members of JSOTF-P helped the Philippine Air Force upgrade the school’s library by providing lumber for new bookcases and filling them with an international donation of new books. (Official U.S. Air Force Photo by Captain Darrick B. Lee)

“We are so blessed to receive these books and new shelves,” said Principal Mangeser. “Usually, the private school libraries are regarded as the best. But, these books are unique because they are not just reference titles. They are books that make reading fun … So, now the EAAB library is the best in Zamboanga!”

U.S. Special Forces, Philippine Service members honor the fallen during 9/11 observance

ZAMBOANGA CITY- Members of Joint Special Operations Task Force -Philippines held a ceremony Sunday, observing the 10th anniversary of the events of 11 September 2001.

Members of the Philippine Security Forces joined U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in recalling the events that were instrumental in the creation of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Ten years ago, our nation and the Western democratic way of life was attacked, blood was shed, nations mobilized, battle lines drawn and our lives were changed forever,” said U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Shane McKenzie during the opening of the ceremony.

Master Chief McKenzie and the JSOTF-P Chaplain, U.S. Army Maj. David Lile, recalled the events as they occurred 10 years ago today.

“ Eight forty-six and twenty-six seconds: Flight 11 crashes at roughly 466 miles per hour into the north face of One World Trade Center, between floors 93 and 99,” read Chaplain Lile.

After the recollection of events, JSOTF-P members shared personal testimonies.

“Ten years ago, I was in high school and we were watching the events unfold on TV,” recalled one U.S. service member. “My Aunt was in the World Trade Center, that day … She was taken away.”

People from many nations lost their lives that day. JSOTF-P leaders said the ceremony not only honors the fallen, but is a reminder to those who currently serve.

“September 11^th was the worst of days, and we remember those fallen on that day, those who served on that day and every day since then,” said U.S. Army Colonel Fran Beaudette, JSOTF-P Commander. “Today is the best of days. We get to do what we do … To continue our nation’s bidding, and continue to help our partners who are focused on the cause of freedom.”

U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines was established in 2002 to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their fight against trans-national terrorism in the southern Philippines. 

AFP Awards Civic Action Medal to JSOTF-P Servicemembers

  ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored 15 servicemembers from the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) with the Philippine Military Civic Action Medal (CAM) at an awards ceremony held at Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City, Aug. 19.

The award highlights the combined training and humanitarian projects conducted by JSOTF-P members through partnership with the AFP. 
According to the citation, these projects improve the lives of countless Filipinos, helping to reduce support for lawless groups and their safe havens in the southern Philippines. Col. Casiano C. Monilla Jr., Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Chief of Unified Command Staff, presented JSOTF-P’s servicemembers with the award for their contributions made to the Republic of the Philippines.

             “We really appreciate the presence of the U.S. forces here and the assistance you have given us,” Monilla said.

Since January 2011, JSOTF-P has participated in various humanitarian and civil assistance programs, making four visits to the Talon-Talon Orphanage and three to the Women's and Children's shelter.  Members have also raised over $1,400 USD for outreach programs and have donated over 1,000 pounds of clothing. WESTMINCOM recognized them as having earned honor not only for themselves, but for the AFP as well. 

The awardees were also recognized for their dedication and hard work for assisting, training and advising units under WESTMINCOM that ultimately improved the capabilities of Filipino Soldiers and increased their chances of survival in combat. 

 “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognized by a foreign counterpart for your contributions to their country,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shyla Consalo, the JSOTF-P paralegal.  “I feel so blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to help some local families here.  Every time I look at this medal it will remind me of those families and the opportunity I had to make a difference in their lives.”

Basilan’s leaders host a Civic Action Program in Tairan

LANTAWAN, Philippines (July 28, 2011) – Approximately 1,200 residents of Tairan barangay, Lantawan province, Basilan, gathered July 28 for a combined medical, dental, and veterinary civic action program. The event was coordinated by Basilan’s provincial government, and was the first community outreach program of its kind, completely driven by key governmental organizations.

            Numerous members represented the provincial offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, and Department of Agriculture; Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Dental Association, Philippine Business for Social Progress and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. By the end of the day, they had donated 300 meals to children through the feeding program, provided medical care to 300 patients, performed 117 dental extractions and vaccinated 113 livestock.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Special Operations Task Force Commander Col. Alexander Macario who attended the event as an observer, briefly helped the task force hand out comic books to children, and interacted with barangay leaders in the area.

The barangay also works as a cooperative to improve quality of life in the community, using proceeds from the barangay-owned rubber plantation to improve roads, schools, and homes.

Commanding General, III MEF and Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan Visits JSOTF-P

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (July, 14, 2011) – U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth Glueck, Jr., Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander Marine Corps Bases Japan and Philippine Marine Brig. Gen. Celestino Pereyra, Western Mindanao Command Deputy for Peace Process, are met with honors upon arrival at Western Mindanao Command. During his visit to the Philippines, General Glueck met with members of the U.S. Embassy, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and U.S. Marines deployed to Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Ted Green.)

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (July, 14, 2011) – U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth Glueck, Jr., Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan meets with Marines assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines at Camp Navarro. During his visit to the Philippines, Glueck met with members of the U.S. Embassy, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and U.S. Marines deployed to Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Ted Green.)

JSOTF-P Service Members Participate in US Embassy’s “America in 3D” Event

BAGUIO, Philippines (July 10, 2011) A service member from the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines, speaks with a local resident during “America in 3D” at SM City Baguio from July 8-10. “America in 3D” is a US Embassy road show that features diplomacy, development, and defense and highlights American culture, values, and society. The three-day event included a full lineup of musical performances, free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and applying to study in the United States. The public also had the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of various Embassy sections and U.S. agencies, including members of JSOTF-P. JSOTF-P is temporarily deployed in southern Philippines at the request of the Philippine government. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Ryan Valverde)

BAGUIO, Philippines (July 8, 2011) A local university journalism student films another student interviewing a member of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines during “America in 3D” at SM City Baguio from July 8-10. “America in 3D” is a US Embassy road show that features diplomacy, development, and defense and highlights American culture, values, and society. The three-day event included a full lineup of musical performances, free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and applying to study in the United States. The public also had the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of various Embassy sections and U.S. agencies, including members of JSOTF-P. JSOTF-P is temporarily deployed in southern Philippines at the request of the Philippine government. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Ryan Valverde)

BAGUIO, Philippines (July 10, 2011) Cadets from the Philippine Military Academy read over a Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines information display during “America in 3D” at SM City Baguio from July 8-10. “America in 3D” is a US Embassy road show that features diplomacy, development, and defense and highlights American culture, values, and society. The three-day event included a full lineup of musical performances, free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and applying to study in the United States. The public also had the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of various Embassy sections and U.S. agencies, including members of JSOTF-P. JSOTF-P is temporarily deployed in southern Philippines at the request of the Philippine government. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Ryan Valverde.)

BAGUIO, Philippines (July 10, 2011) U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. speaks at the World War II Veterans Ceremony during “America in 3D” at SM City Baguio from July 8-10. “America in 3D” is a US Embassy road show that features diplomacy, development, and defense and highlights American culture, values, and society. The three-day event included a full lineup of musical performances, free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and applying to study in the United States. The public also had the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of various Embassy sections and U.S. agencies, including members of JSOTF-P. JSOTF-P is temporarily deployed in southern Philippines at the request of the Philippine government. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Ryan Valverde)

BAGUIO, Philippines (July 10, 2011) Philippine World War II Veterans attend a World War II Veterans Ceremony during “America in 3D” at SM City Baguio from July 8-10. “America in 3D” is a US Embassy road show that features diplomacy, development, and defense and highlights American culture, values, and society. The three-day event included a full lineup of musical performances, free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and applying to study in the United States. The public also had the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives of various Embassy sections and U.S. agencies, including members of JSOTF-P. JSOTF-P is temporarily deployed in southern Philippines at the request of the Philippine government. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Ryan Valverde)

Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Fact Sheet

Mission

The Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines mission is to support the comprehensive approach of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in their fight against terrorism and lawless elements in the southern Philippines and preventing terrorists from establishing safe havens. At the request of the Philippine government, JSOTF-P works alongside the AFP in a strictly non-combat role to defeat terrorists, eliminate safe havens and create the conditions necessary for peace, stability and prosperity in the southern Philippines.  

People

JSOTF-P is comprised of between 500 and 600 personnel from all four military services, including Army Special Operations Forces, Navy Seals, Air Force special operators and a host of support personnel from all four U.S. military services.

Organization

JSOTF-P is comprised of a headquarters element, located at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City and three subordinate regional task forces which operate throughout Mindanao alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines:

·      Task Force Archipelago: Based at Camp Navarro, Zamboanga del Sur Province

·      Task Force Mindanao: Based at Camp Siongco, Maguindanao Province

·      Task Force Sulu: Based at Camp Bautista, Jolo Island, Sulu Province

A handful of JSOTF-P personnel also work in Manila to coordinate activities with the US Embassy Country Team and AFP General Headquarters.

Operations

The members of JSOTF-P operate “by, through and with” their Philippine Armed Forces counterparts in a strictly non-combat role to:

• Bring humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities
• Medical and Dental Civic Action programs to deliver care where the need is great
• Veterinary Civic Action Programs to provide farmers livelihood assistance
• Engineering Civic Action Programs to provide local communities infrastructure improvements such as schools, water wells, roads, piers and medical centers

• Share information with the Philippine Armed Forces
• The U.S. shares intelligence data and other information to assist the AFP in planning future operations

• Build AFP capacity through subject matter expert exchange programs (SMEEs) to exchange lessons learned on subjects such as:
• Tactical Combat Casualty Care            o   Convoy Security
• Marksmanship                                      o   Forward Air Control
• Small Unit Tactics                                o   Civil Military Operations Planning
• Mission Planning                                  o   Maritime Operations
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal              o   Casualty Evacuation

Facts

·          Between October 2007 and June 2011, JSOTF-P committed more than $24 million to 220 humanitarian assistance projects to improve the quality of life for communities in need in Mindanao.

·      The AFP and JSOTF-P, during more than 500 joint civic action projects, delivered free medical and dental care to more than 104,600 patients from local communities from October 2007 to June 2011.

·       Quite a few families also benefited as their farm animals received assistance during more than 228 AFP-US veterinarian projects.

·       The AFP-US partnership completed more than 140 infrastructure projects – new schools, roads, piers, water wells, and medical centers benefiting the people of the southern Philippines.

http://jsotf-p.blogspot.com/2009/04/jsotf-p-fact-sheet.htmlhttp://jsotf-p.blogspot.com/2009/04/jsotf-p-fact-sheet.html