Kyrgyz government leaders experience Manas mission

Staff Sgt. Michael Brooks demonstrates the operation of the boom system of the KC-135 Stratotanker to Marat Usupov, the advisor to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 19 above Kyrgyzstan. The demonstration was a part of an orientation flight given to 10 Kyrgyz Republic government leaders. The mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to deliver passengers, fuel and cargo into and out of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Brooks is a 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator deployed from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel)

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Kyrgyz government leaders experience Manas mission

Col. Scott Reese explains the capabilities and mission requirements of the C-17 Globemaster III to Kyrgyz Republic government leaders during a tour of the aircraft prior to a May 19 orientation flight at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to deliver passengers, fuel and cargo into and out of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Reese is the 376th AEW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel)

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Kyrgyz government leaders experience Manas mission

Kyrgyz and American flags are flown in the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III during a refueling mission May 19 above Kyrgyzstan. The mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to deliver passengers, fuel and cargo into and out of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel)

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Kyrgyz government leaders experience Manas mission

Published May 22, 2007
By Capt. Tim Wade
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- Airmen here gave a base tour and KC-135 Stratotanker orientation flight for 10 Kyrgyz Republic government officials May 19 here.

Members of the Kyrgyz government representing the offices of presidential administration, prime minister, ministry of defense, ministry of foreign affairs, ministry of transport and communications, ministry of finance, members of parliament, and U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Marie Yovanovitch began the day with briefings on the wing's mission and the orientation flight.

The group then proceeded on a tour of the base, which included brief stops at the passenger and cargo terminal, fitness facility and a demonstration of cargo loading equipment near a C-17 Globemaster III.

The flight showcased the Air Force's global reach capabilities of the KC-135 and C-17 and the Airmen who maintain and operate the aircraft.

"The orientation flight presented us the opportunity to provide our host nation leadership with a glimpse of what we do each and every day to support the coalition effort in Afghanistan," said Col. Scott Reese, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "The United States appreciates the support the government and people of Kyrgyzstan provide to the war on terrorism."

The nearly two-hour flight culminated with a C-17, which is assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Det. 1, being refueled by a KC-135 flown by 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Airmen.

Manas Air Base, which has about 1,200 assigned members, plays a critical role in supporting coalition forces in Afghanistan. It serves as the primary mobility hub for Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force by conducting air refueling of U.S. and coalition aircraft and moving people and cargo into and out of the Afghanistan area of operations.