The american soldiers and contract workers that relocate, or are stationed there for anywhere from 1 week to a year at a time DO NOT TREAT THE WOMEN OUTSIDE THE BASE (COMAYAGUA) WITH ANY TYPE OF RESPECT, WHICH CONTINUES TO PERPETUATE AN ATTITUDE OF DISGUST FROM THE MAJORITY OF THE LOCAL HONDURANS BECAUSE OF CHILD EMOTIONAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE, CHILD TRAFFICKING, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND LEWD BEHAVIOUR.
Although these very same soldiers, american contract workers, for Dyncorp International among other companies, helps to provide an influx of money for the local economy, which in turn helps to sway some of the hondurans attitudes towards the american (gringo) positively, the damage is and has been done.
It is a shame in my opinion for the I have only to assume after having worked at this base for the past year, that the American contingent military, and civilian are not REALLY welcome there. I noticed over time although having all required documents, passes and such to access the base on a daily basis, one is still harassed at the main access gate/entry. I say harassed because of the nasty looks and derogatory conversations held with the gate guards, then the barrage of emails telling everyone should not be aroused or upset at any, and all treatment by the entry guards at any time or be denied access from the base henceforth.
I know that the base is actually run by the Hondurans, but I do know who funds monetarily all the processes going on there, and I would expect that as a host country, there would be more of an effort to make sure the workers as such are respected as much as the host is shown respect. We all know that there are instances that happen through ignorance, that is a reality but we all know disrespect when we see and hear it.
While one cannot overlook the nice appearance of the base which comes through United States funding, it is not something that one should take in trade for being mistreated, or thought of as mere minions that provide a humanitarian service, if any service is truly being provided at all.
Beautiful base great people small enough to know everyone which can also be a negative. Only downfall is the town which is nice yet they allow minors into the clubs which could get a service member into trouble.
Other than that small town vibe and safe enough to actually go out and enjoy.
Really
I have only to assume after having worked at this base for the past year, that the American contingent military, and civilian are not REALLY welcome there. I noticed over time although having all required documents, passes and such to access the base on a daily basis, one is still harassed at the main access gate/entry. I say harassed because of the nasty looks and derogatory conversations held with the gate guards, then the barrage of emails telling everyone should not be aroused or upset at any, and all treatment by the entry guards at any time or be denied access from the base henceforth.
I know that the base is actually run by the Hondurans, but I do know who funds monetarily all the processes going on there, and I would expect that as a host country, there would be more of an effort to make sure the workers as such are respected as much as the host is shown respect. We all know that there are instances that happen through ignorance, that is a reality but we all know disrespect when we see and hear it.
While one cannot overlook the nice appearance of the base which comes through the funding, it is not something that one should take in trade for being treated, or thought of as mere minions that provide a humanitarian service.
Most problems are with airports; there is no airport within miles of where the icon (either aircraft symbol or tear drop marker) indicates. Most recent and noted experience has been in the Central America area. e.g. Soto Cano airport in Honduras. Have similar experience in Africa, specifically Somalia.
This is not a public airport but is a US leased area of Col Enrique Soto Cano Airbase, home of the Honduran Air Force Academy.