Kyrgyzstan mayors visit Manas

  • Published
  • By Maj. Damien Pickart
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Mayors and deputy mayors of the six largest villages that surround Manas Air Base met the Airmen and learned the mission of the base during a Dec. 10 tour here. 

Base and village leaders meet one another, discussed issues that affect both and developed stronger ties through which to resolve issues of concern.

Col. Christopher Bence, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, welcomed the Kyrgyz leaders. Over lunch, he offered good will for one another with a customary toast.
"It is an honor to have you join us today so we can continue to grow our friendship and get to know one another better," Colonel Bence said during the luncehon. "May our relations strengthen and I wish you all good prosperity in the future."

In response to the colonel's warm toast, the mayors offered a traditional reply.

"To our friendship and continued cooperation in the future," said Galina Tereschuk, the Oktaybr'skoe village mayor. "May our relationship always be strong."

"And to the prosperity, well-being, health of us all and luck and good success for everyone," added Sergey Bakhtin, the Manas village mayor.

Through translators, the mayors conveyed their thanks and appreciation to the base for the continued support and assistance rendered by Airmen who participate in two nonprofit volunteer organizations; the Manas Service Organization and the Manas Air Base Outreach Society. Over the past several years, both organizations have provided thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in donations and supplies to help the local villages with a variety of projects, including refurbishing schools and community centers, fixing and building fences and playgrounds, and providing school supplies, clothes and generators.

"Manas servicemembers are thankful to be able to help those in need, especially our wonderful Kyrgyz neighbors," Colonel Bence said. "We value the friendships we've developed over the years with our hosts and helping a friend in need is the right thing to do."

Following a lunch, Colonel Bence took the Kyrgyz leaders on a tour of the base showing off many of the new improvements since they last visited in February, including the new medical clinic, morale center and upgrades to the fitness complex. They also toured a KC-135 Stratotanker, and held one of the base's bird mitigation program falcons. The wing commander also suited up for a demonstration with a K-9 security dog.

"I've met many of the former wing commanders here at Manas and they've all been so friendly and nice, but Colonel Bence is certainly the coolest," said Teyitbek Aliev, the mayor of Mramoronoye Village. "It was great seeing him in the suit showing us how well trained the security dogs are here. I really admire his warm personality and how open and transparent he is with us about everything."

After the tour, the mayors discussed several issues with base leadership over coffee and tea. They also pointed out how warm the visit was and the family-like atmosphere of the base.

"I didn't think they were going to show us everything," said Magiyat Abakirova, the chief accountant of Jany Pakhta village. "This was my first visit and I thought it was top secret. I was so excited during the visit and really enjoyed seeing everything. The base has been so good to our villages and for that we are thankful."

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