Photo by MSgt. Val Gempis, USAF

• Gen. Yoshimitsu Tsumagari (right), Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul V. Hester, Commander Pacific Air Forces, after receiving the U.S. Legion of Merit medal from Gen. Hester. The Legion of Merit is in honor of Gen. Tsumagari’s leadership in strengthening security throughout Asia and in deepening respect, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the JASDF and the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the medal honors his work in the deployment of Japanese C-130 aircraft to Kuwait to assist coalition forces in the reconstruction of Iraq.

	Photo by Maj. Donald Hicks, USA

• USARPAC personnel build a six-room schoolhouse in rural Sisophon. A separate administration building and restroom are also under construction at the school. Both projects are USARPAC Humanitarian and Civic Assistance missions under the U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Cooperation Program.

	Photo by Maj. Donald Hicks, USA

• Cambodian and U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC) personnel build the 55-meter Soeur River Bridge, which will connect rural communities in Battambang Province, Cambodia.

	Official U.S. Army photo

• Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) Capt. Sung-min Choi examines an Afghan patient during a Cooperative Medical Assistance event in Afghanistan's Parwan Province. ROKA soldiers set up three different diagnostic and treatment sites to provide medical assistance for people and animals.

	Photo by Maj. Robb Husbands, USA
	Photoo by Maj. Kirk Zecchini, USA

• On a plot of land once covered by grass and trees, a new center of learning complex will educate the youth of Batangas City, Republic of the Philippines. A combined team of Philippine and U.S. Army engineers and U.S. Navy Seabees completed work on a new four-room schoolhouse at the Jose C. Pastor Elementary School. The project is a U.S. Army, Pacific Humanitarian and Civic Assistance mission and part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation Program. The engineers also constructed a restroom facility on the school grounds and renovated an existing two-room schoolhouse. The new facilities for 400 students feature modern conveniences, quality construction, and upgraded furniture. “These facilities will greatly improve the quality of life for the young students,” said U.S. Army Maj. Robb Husbands. He also noted that in addition to construction training, the project “offers engagement with the [Philippine Army], which helps develop shared techniques and understanding.”