Master Sgt. Chris Ellis reviews the military rank structure with Kyrgyz Republic 2nd Lt. Sheberbec Turdaliev at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, during a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Ellis is assigned to the Theater Security Cooperation the Military-to-Military program liaison. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Senior Airman Michael Abrash (standing) reviews vocabulary words during a noncommissioned officer school language exchange at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 6, 2011. Abrash is a Theater Security Cooperation linguist. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez teaches proper enunciation to a private from the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, during a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Fernandez is assigned to the Theater Security Cooperation as the NCO-in-charge of knowledge operations. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Airman 1st Class Juwin Viray reviews a script with a private from the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, during a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Juwin is assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron as an engineering assistant. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Senior Master Sgt. Colleen Blake-Harris plays volleyball with soldiers and children at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, after participating in a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Blake-Harris is assigned to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Legal Office as the superintendent and the wing staff agency superintendent. She is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Master Sgt. Leenette Joseph prepares to set the ball as she plays volleyball with soldiers and children at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, after participating in a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Joseph is assigned to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Equal Opportunity Office as the director. She is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Master Sgt. Sam Nelson and other Airmen play soccer with Kyrgyz Republic soldiers at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, after participating in a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Nelson is assigned to the Theater Security Cooperation as the NCO-in-charge of humanitarian assistance. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Senior Airman Michael Abrash races for the ball during a soccer game with Kyrgyz Republic soldiers at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, after participating in a language lab Oct. 6, 2011. Abrash is a Theater Security Cooperation linguist. He is deployed to the Transit Center at Manas from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Two Kyrgyz Republic soldiers race for the ball during a mixed-team American and Kyrgyz soccer game at the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 6, 2011. Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas travel to the academy twice a month to participate in an English and Russian language lab. Occasionally the service members play sports after completing their language studies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas and soldiers from the Koi Tash NCO Academy, Kyrgyzstan, pose for a photo after spending the day practicing language skills and playing sports Oct. 6, 2011. Airmen from the Transit Center travel to the academy twice a month to participate in an English and Russian language lab. Occasionally the service members play sports after completing their language studies. The partnership program was established in June. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

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Photo essay: Americans, Kyrgyz share language skills

Published Oct. 7, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing traveled to the Koi Tash NCO Academy to participate in an English and Russian language lab Oct. 6.

This bi-monthly partnership program was established in June. The initial engagements between the American Airmen and the Kyrgyz Republic soldiers were primarily focused on social activities and joint humanitarian projects in and around Koi Tash.

The program has expanded to include language and cultural exchanges as well. The service members not only practice their language skills they also discuss backgrounds and professions. Occasionally, the Airmen and soldiers play sports after completing their language studies.