Secretary of State visits Manas, inspires Airmen

  • Published
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  Perfect weather and more than 500 Airmen with the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing here greeted the 66th secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, when she arrived Oct. 11.

The relatively small, but strategically important Kyrgyzstan was the secretary’s first stop in her four-day, four-country tour of Central Asia. She is also scheduled to make stops in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan before returning home to the U.S.

“We were absolutely honored to have a part in welcoming the secretary to the country,” said Col. Randy Kee, 376th AEW commander. “The Airmen here have been pushing hard to keep Operation Enduring Freedom manned, fueled and equipped, and to have a visitor of her caliber recognize their work was inspiring to us all.”

Some speculation had also arisen about a possible stop in Pakistan after the recent earthquake and Secretary Rice spoke of the compassion of U.S. forces during disasters.

“When people are in need, we go to their side, much as people came to our side recently after hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” she said. “And I know you’ll do a fine job in support of those operations, just as you’ve done an extraordinary job in support of the operations in Afghanistan.”

While speaking briefly to the gathered assembly of American, French and Spanish troops, Secretary Rice highlighted the importance of coalition cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“We have strong allies in this fight. It is not an American fight but rather a fight of free peoples,” Secretary Rice said. “I want to thank you for the way you work together here as a Coalition -- the way it really should be.”

After addressing the servicemembers, Secretary Rice was scheduled to travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, for a meeting with officials there.

“When I see the leadership of Kyrgyzstan I will talk about the fact that we are allies in the war on terrorism as is demonstrated here,” she said.

In addition Secretary Rice said she would highlight the importance of shared values.

“You are in the front line of defending those shared values,” she said. “Thank you for everything you do. I know you miss your families but the American people are proud of what you’re doing here.”

Her words were not lost on those in attendance.

“I felt as though she, even at her level of power, had the right sight picture and knew what we were here to do,” said Staff Sgt. Sarah Byron-Smith, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group public health noncommissioned officer in charge. “She made me feel very proud to be a part of such an historic time in our country and our world.”