Airmen purchase, deliver food for Osh

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- In the spirit of joint security between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan, officials from the Transit Center at Manas, together with officials from the Department of State, obtained nearly $9,000 worth of food and 1,600 gallons of fuel June 13, to send south to the region of Osh.

Food and water were palletized, along with the fuel, shortly after the need was made evident to Airmen, who immediately purchased the items on the local economy and assisted in the quick-turn send-off.

"In just over 8 hours, we were already off-loading everything, ready to put it on the plane," said Col. David Zorzi, the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander.

"Our condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives during the recent violence in the south," said Col. Blaine Holt, the Transit Center director. "We are working closely with the U.S. Department of State and the Kyrgyz republic to provide some assistance to the people affected by these events. We value our Kyrgyz partners and hope that this situation is resolved peacefully."

"Thank you for the help you are providing and the humanitarian assistance you are giving," said Toktosanov Asan, the director of Manas Management Co., whose members tasked with the transportation of the goods. "It's nice to cooperate with you on this big project.

"Most of all, it's nice to see that other people are willing to step and help our country in such a difficult time," the director said. "It's nice to have this kind of relationship and commitment between two different nations."