Footwork helps build relations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Turkish Telecom employee: Can you pass me the wire cutters?

39th Communications Squadron Airman: Sure, here you go. How was your evening yesterday?

TT net employee: It was fine. Me and my family relaxed and had dinner and I tucked the kids into bed. How was yours?

39th CS Airman: Mine was fine as well. I studied a little for the class I'm taking and watched some television.

Several hours later...

TT net employee: Don't let him break through!

Several 39th CS Airmen: Attack! Attack! Attack!

As contradicting as these conversations sound, they are both producing the same result - building a stronger relationship between two partners.

The 39th Communications Squadron and the TT net played a scrimmage soccer game Dec. 6, in Adana, Turkey as way to strengthen the ties the two organizations have.

"The communications squadron has been working closely with Turk Telekom since February developing a plan to transition folks from Mayanet (DSL) and onto TT net (fiber)," said Maj. Robert Brown, 39th CS. "There have been many discussions, lots of negotiations and plenty of tea drinking. "

The $700,000 project was funded by TT net and will raise the quality of life for people stationed at Incirlik AB. And while raising morale for the people here, they also begot new friendships.

"For us the game was about friendship," said Akin Ari, TT net coach. "We have worked on the internet project with them for a long while and just wanted to improve out Turkish-American relationships."

Brown agrees that establishing and maintaining these relationships is very important.

"This type of interaction can take us a long way," Brown said. "It is really beneficial to know the folks you're working with on more than just a business level."

After TT net won the match 8-5, Ari concluded the night saying, "May friendship win all the time," while the two organizations shared tea and a Turkish treat called baklava.