Welcome to Soto Cano!

 Meet Soto Cano!

(Foreign Events Article Sneak Peak)

~Holly Black

Touring the American Military base of Soto Cano (in Honduras) was something I've never experienced.  I've seen a couple other bases, but this one was by far different.  

Soto Cano is in a mountainous bowl in the landscape.  On a clear day, you can see all the mountains surrounding the base.  Unlike the tropical area I expected, the mountains are carpeted with conifers and scattered ground foliage.  What ever the original animals were I don't know, but the base is inhabited by grackles, stray cats, and termites.  In the 'red roof' (key personnel housing) giant red leaf cutter ants and huge toads the size of your foot (see left). Also included in this wide variety of wildlife are 6 foot iguanas and the young Max, a squadron mascot and boxer puppy. Humans have no problem living among these creatures.  Instead, most problems occur when drinking non-bottled water water and in dehydration in the hot but humid environment.

Unlike other, larger bases, very few people live on the base.  Some are American Airmen, Army, and Special Ops, but about half the base is for the Honduran Air Force.  Because of off-base culture, personnel are not allowed to live off base.

All these personnel live small huts called hooches, or nicer, but still tiny, apartments called red roofs.  Food is provide by the DFAC (Dining FACility) or you can pick up frozen or snack food at the many-named multi-store called the BX, PX, or most recently - the X.  Other necessities (coffee, alcohol, hammocks, etc.)  can be bought in a set of wooden shops along the main road.  Water cannot  be drunk of of the pipe, because lead and bacteria. Water is provided for personnel.

How does one get around on Soto Cano?  You could rent a bike from the Community center, or buy one from the X.  If you're lucky you can get a car, but access to crucial areas is limited.  Many people walk, as most places, are no more than fifteen minutes from anywhere.  But the most commonly, people drive golf carts called EZ-goes.  Visiting children are allowed to drive the EZ-goes on the dirt road that lap the perimeter of the base.

Recreation includes tennis, basketball, swimming, baseball, volleyball.   Every so often, Soto Cano will have a sports day.  During these no-work days, different groups play tug-of-war and other games, as well as the Firefighter challenge and Pull-The-Truck.  Competition between squadrons (and language) is intense. As you can see to the left, the Firefighter Challenge is a relay race that requires participants to pull a hose up a staircase, roll up a hose, drag a weighted model of a man aprx. 300 ft., and drag a hose the same distance.

In this humid, hooch-riddled, EZ-go-filled base, fun and fire-fighting mix, palm trees and pines grow within five miles of each other, and you're lucky to have a concrete floor.  After all - you wouldn't want the termites getting in!