Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Senior Airman Manoj Khatiwada, a 21st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician, stands in front of a pallet of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 8, 2015. Four days after the earthquake in Nepal, Khatiwada was on a C-17 Globemaster III with members of the 36th Contingency Response Group on their way to Nepal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Melissa White)Airman returns home to Nepal after earthquake
                        
                        
                        Senior Airman Manoj Khatiwada, a 21st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician, stands in front of a pallet of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 8, 2015. Four days after the earthquake in Nepal, Khatiwada was on a C-17 Globemaster III with members of the 36th Contingency Response Group on their way to Nepal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Melissa White)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Airman returns home to Nepal after earthquakePublished May 12, 2015
                    
                    By Maj. Ashley Conner
                    
                    
                    Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
            **KATHMANDU, Nepal (AFNS) --**When Senior Airman Manoj Khatiwada was asked to join a team of Pacific Air Forces Airmen traveling to Nepal to assist the government with relief operations following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, he was filled with mixed emotions.
"Returning to Nepal for this mission was an emotional moment for me. I didn't know how I would react seeing the city where I was born and raised destroyed," said Khatiwada, a 21st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician. "Thousands of Nepalese died and thousands are injured. I am happy that I am here but I am sad to see this happen to Nepal."
Khatiwada was born and raised in Nepal and came to the U.S. in 2009 after being awarded permanent residency through the Diversity Visa lottery program. Each year, the U.S. government makes 50,000 permanent residence visas available to citizens of nations that have traditionally low levels of immigration to the U.S. through program. The program was designed to bring greater racial and ethnic diversity. 
"Since childhood, I have had the desire to be in uniform and serve in the military," he said. "I was fortunate to join the world's greatest military and serve the men and women who welcomed me with open arms."
Since arriving in Nepal, Khatiwada has played a critical link between the Nepalese and the 36th Contingency Response Group in its effort to assist the Nepalese with accelerating airfield operations and increase the capacity to bring in aid via airlift, ultimately distributing aid faster to those effected by the disaster.
"Having Senior Airman Khatiwada embedded with our team has helped us better communicate how we can assist the people of Nepal in the relief efforts," said Lt. Col. Glenn Rinehart, the 36th Mobility Response Squadron commander. "He understands their interests and helps ensure effective communication so we can work together better. What would have normally taken days to orchestrate, he has been able to communicate and coordinate within hours."
Khatiwada said the most rewarding part of his job is being able to work with the two countries he loves the most.
"The United States has always been generous and supportive to Nepal and the Nepalese. I am very thankful that the U.S. military is able to assist USAID and the Nepal government in the relief operations," he said. "This support means a lot to the country."earthquake 



relief 



Nepal 



PACAF 



home 



return 



Humanitarian Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil