Dhaka, Washington enjoying excellent ties: Miller

GBnews24 desk//

Noting that the ties between Bangladesh and the USA are very strong, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller on Monday laid emphasis on more exchanges and interactions between the two countries.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters here after visiting a combined exercise titled “Exercise Pacific Angel-2019-1” organised by Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and US Pacific Air Force.

The joint exercise which began on Sunday will continue till June 27. At the joint exercise, medical services are being provided to locals setting up a Healthcare Camp at Kadamtala High School in Sadar upazila. Besides, five schools are being renovated by members of the US Pacific Air Force.

The US envoy said these people (US Pacific Air Force men who are taking part in the exercise) are the very best ambassadors of the USA as they show what the American people are all about.

He said doctors will serve the people in the area for the next couple of days as the five-day camp began on Sunday.

Around 700 patients were served with various types of treatment on the first day.

Ambassador Miller thanked the hosts – Bangladesh Air Force, the people of Bangladesh and his compatriots who travelled here from the USA.

Responding to a question, he said he always loves to see any kind of interaction between Bangladesh and the USA, particularly bilateral and military exercises.

US mission commander Major Christofer Falmer highlighted their role and goals and laid emphasis on military-to-military relations between the US and Bangladesh.

He said they served 640 patients on Sunday which he expects to grow in numbers in the remaining days.

They are providing dental, physical therapy, medicine and many other services which will remain available until June 27, Major Christofer Falmer added.

Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Bangladesh Air Force Base Birsreshto Matiur Rahman Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Nazrul Islam said the main objective of the joint exercise is to boost existing friendly and cordial relations as well as assistance between the air forces of the two countries.

They (US Air Force) came here to contribute to two sectors — Engineering and Health. Normally, they choose remote places, which are not so developed. “We have chosen this place as we usually can’t reach engineering and treatment services there that much,” the AOC said.

Around 200 physicians are providing treatment for eye, dental and general medicines. Every day, 600-650 local inhabitants are getting medical services from the medical camp.

Locals, students and teachers are so happy as members of the US Pacific Air Force are renovating five schools, Nazrul said, expressing the hope both the countries will conduct such activities in future.

Earlier, the US Ambassador was cordially received by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Nazrul Islam when he reached the Healthcare Camp in the morning.

During the visit, the US envoy witnessed the healthcare services and also visited different schools which were under renovation work. He exchanged greetings with the teachers and students of those schools.

He also thanked Bangladesh Air Force and all organisations concerned for wholehearted participation in the exercise. The teachers and other dignitaries involved with the exercise highly appreciated various activities of BAF and US Pacific Air Force.

People living adjacent to the BAF Maintenance and Care Unit, Lalmonirhat are being provided with free medical treatment along with knowledge on post-disaster medical care.

Besides, the engineers from both the countries are providing assistance in renovating and repairing damaged and weak structure of selected five schools of the area.

Some 250 BAF members under the command of Group Captain Abbas Ali and 100 US Pacific Air Force men under the command of Major Christofer Falmer are participating in the exercise.

Six physicians from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand are also taking part in the exercise