ASAN, Guam\u2014Dignitaries, high chiefs, the Bilung-Gloria Salii\u00a0 of Koror, and dozens of Palauan well-wishers filled the confines of the\u00a0Ngarachamayong Cultural Center to bid farewell to the U.S. Air Force 36th\u00a0Civil Engineer Squadron airmen of Civic Action Team Palau 36-03 last Feb. 15.<\/p>\n
During the change of charge ceremony, CAT 36-03 was relieved by Seabees from\u00a0Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 CAT 133-28.<\/p>\n
“The U.S. Embassy is proud to have the CAT team as an integral part of our\u00a0mission,” said U.S. Ambassador to Palau Amy Hyatt. “They are a\u00a0wonderful symbol of our country, our people and our values. The important work\u00a0they do enhances our bilateral relationship and makes vital contributions to\u00a0the people of Palau.”<\/p>\n
During CAT 36-03’s six-month deployment in Palau, they accomplished many\u00a0construction feats, but the airmen cherished the relationships they built with\u00a0the citizens most of all.<\/p>\n
“From random barbecues and family-style meals on the beach, to being invited\u00a0to a neighbor’s very first open house and enjoying the moment with their\u00a0relatives, you have never failed to make all of us feel like family and that\u00a0we belong here,” said 2nd Lt. Colin Quitta, CAT 36-03 officer-in-charge.<\/p>\n
The airmen completed many more tangible projects as well, including the Palau\u00a0Visitor’s Authority renovation and the Maris Stella Playground. They also\u00a0trained 10 apprentices in a variety of trades related to the construction\u00a0field with two apprentices graduating from the program during the change of\u00a0charge ceremony. The CAT medical program completed school screenings at nearly\u00a0every school in Palau. The airmen of 36-03 didn’t slow down when the\u00a0construction efforts were done for the day either. They engaged the community\u00a0with their House of Pain fitness program, basketball tournaments, swim\u00a0lessons, and a weekly radio show.<\/p>\n
“They demonstrate creativity and tenacity every day to overcome challenges and\u00a0get the job done,” Hyatt said. “It’s that warmth and \u2018can-do\u2019 spirit that we\u00a0celebrate today. America’s greatest strength is not the example of our power\u00a0but the power of our example.”<\/p>\n
The CAT mission carries on the longstanding friendship between the people of\u00a0Palau and the U.S. military.<\/p>\n
“The relationship between our two nations is important now more than ever as\u00a0we work to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensure our economic sea\u00a0lanes are secure,” said Navy Capt. Steve Stasick, commodore of the 30th Naval\u00a0Construction Regiment. “Without the support of Palau’s government and local\u00a0community, we would not be able to fulfill our promise to protect and\u00a0safeguard Micronesia, a commitment that was established when the U.S. came\u00a0ashore on Peleliu during World War II.”<\/p>\n
The Seabees of CAT 133-28 are motivated to add their fingerprints to the\u00a0friendship between the U.S. and Palau.<\/p>\n
“The community could not have been more supportive while we were getting our\u00a0feet under us here in your beautiful country,” said Army Capt. Brendan\u00a0Condron, CAT 133-28 officer-in-charge. “I’m looking forward to working hand in\u00a0hand with all of you as we continue the legacy of over 80 civic action teams\u00a0before us.”<\/p>\n
The Civic Action Team Palau provides construction support to the host nation, assists and trains apprentices with general engineering skills, facilitates a\u00a0medical outreach program, and conducts community service projects. CAT Palau is\u00a0an integral part of the U.S. mission to assist and support the development of\u00a0the Republic of Palau through the Compact of Free Association between the two\u00a0nations. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the CAT mission in Palau. (PR)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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