U.S., Cambodian Military Engineers Restore Medical Clinics

A group of 40+ U.S. Marines and Sailors partnered with Royal Cambodian Armed Forces engineers for most of the month of August to repair a pair of medical clinics in Cambodia as part of the Marines’ Cambodia Interoperability Program (CIP).

The work, in the Kampong Speu Province, began on Aug. 5 and went through the end of the month. Together the combined forces constructed additional rooms and made improvements such as replacing tiles and ceilings, adding electrical power with solar panels, and a fresh coat of paint, to existing buildings.

The CIP, which began in 2007 as a combined medical exercise between U.S. and Cambodian forces, allows service members to become familiar with operating together in skill areas that apply to humanitarian assistance efforts.

Earlier in the year, the CIP focused on providing basic medical and dental care to local residents and giving military medical professionals from both countries an opportunity to work together.

The Sailors and Marines were from the Okinawa, Japan-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

CIP activities are closely coordinated with the U.S. Embassy.

Throughout the Pacific Command area of responsibility a variety of ongoing initiatives such as the Cambodia Interoperability Program are complementing U.S. and host nation government development efforts while steadily enhancing professional experience and military-to-military relationships.