Kyrgyz community tour Transit Center at Manas

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Several members of the National Democratic Institute in Kyrgyzstan toured the Transit Center at Manas here Feb. 6. 

The young adults, although not touring as part of official NDI business, said they came away with a more accurate view of the military installation, and are eager to take their knowledge and apply it in their work places.

"I have heard of the Transit Center and I wanted to see it for myself," said Turdumbaev Uranbek, the trip organizer.

Now 22, he spent a year in the United States during high school, as part of an exchange program, and now works in the NDI news department.

According to their Web site, "NDI has worked in Kyrgyzstan since 1996, carrying out programs to foster the development of democratic institutions, including the parliament, civil society, media, and political parties."

Mr. Uranbek met Col. Blaine Holt, the Transit Center director, on the way to Istanbul, Turkey. After hearing what Mr. Uranbek does for a living in Kyrgyzstan, Colonel Holt offered to show him the Transit Center.

After seeing the KC-135 Stratotanker, watching a military working dog demonstration, and getting an overview of the wing mission, Mr. Uranbek said he felt he got to see things he could never have even thought of.

The consensus among NDI members was that the military working dog demonstration and riding in a Humvee were the most exciting parts of the tour.

NDI members said they are now eager to cooperate with the installation public affairs office to share news stories that are accurate and interesting.