Kyrgyz war heroes, Manas Airmen enjoy Veterans Day

  • Published
  • By Maj. Damien Pickart
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  In honor of Veterans Day, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted ten Kyrgyz  World War II veterans for a tour of the base, dinner and a ceremony to announce the start of a program to help supplement their living expenses and continue to further strengthen the friendship between the Kyrgyz veterans and Manas Airmen here.

Retired Col. Vasili Strelnikov, an 88-year-old veteran of the Soviet air force, greeted leadership and read a poem he prepared to Airmen present for the tour.

"America is so dear to all of us," said the colonel through an interpreter. "America is a democracy and a land of wonderful people. Those who have been to America - even just once - will never forget how wonderful it is."

The former Soviet colonel, who now serves as the president of the Kyrgyz World War II veterans association, shared with the Airmen how he fought with the Soviet air force as it helped to push the Germans out of Russia and eventually back to Berlin.

During the visit, the veterans, many wearing their service dress and medals, recalled their sacrifices and shared incredible stories about their involvement in now historic battles such as Stalingrad, the siege of Moscow and the push west into Germany.

Retired Col. Nikolai Nikiforov proudly displayed an impressive array of decorations and held up four fingers as he shared with young Airmen the number of times he was wounded in the seven month battle of Stalingrad, which was the single bloodiest battle in human history with 1.5 million casualties. One veteran spoke of serving with the Soviet Army units that linked up with their American allies on a partially destroyed bridge over Germany's Elbe River on April 25, 1945, which effectively cut Germany in two a month before the war's end.

"We are honored to have in our presence today, brave heroes of Kyrgyzstan who fought as our allies in World War II," said Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "It is a privilege to honor them on Veterans Day as we pay tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed for the cause of freedom."

Following a mission brief, the veterans toured one of the wing's KC-135 Stratotankers, sharing their stories and love of military service with anyone within earshot. Standing beneath the wing of the giant refueling aircraft, retired Capt. Valeri Kolodyazhni recalled his days of flight.

"I loved to fly," said Captain Kolodyazhni as he recalled his days as a test and instructor pilot for the Soviet Air Force in the 1950s and 60s. "When I entered test pilot school, Lieutenant Yuri Gagarin, the first man to go into outer space, was graduating. It was an incredible time in my life, flying MiG-13s and MiG-15s and training others to fly."
Captain Kolodyazhni, accompanied by his grandson Valeri, raised eyebrows among the KC-135 pilots as he spoke of his violent ejection from a MiG-15 over Damascus, Syria, while training Syrian air force pilots in 1962; an event which ended his military career.

After dining with the wing leadership, the Kyrgyz veterans were escorted to a small ceremony, where the base surprised them with a new program established to help them with their living expenses.

"Today, we are kicking off the veterans assistance program," said Capt. Henry Yanju, the wing's Catholic priest and head of the non-profit organization, Manas Air Base Outreach Society. "Through donations from base Airmen, we will help supplement your grocery needs each month and take you out for lunch. It is an honor to assist fellow veterans and we hope you will enjoy this small token of our appreciation for your past service."

"Our Airmen look forward to the opportunity each month to take you to lunch and learn more about your service and sacrifices," said Colonel Bence. "It is a privilege to stand in the presence of great men as you."

As the war heroes boarded the bus, arms full of groceries and gifts; they conveyed their gratitude and appreciation with hugs and words of praise to Colonel Bence and the Airmen who assisted with the visit.

"We are so thankful for your kindness," said retired Capt. Nikolai Ryzhov as he boarded the bus. "I will always remember this in my heart and how you honored us on this special day."

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