$30M aircraft ramp opens at Manas

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan – Distinguished guests cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the large aircraft ramp during a dedication ceremony here June 23. In the photo from left to right are Busurmankulov Abdimalik, Manas International Airport vice president for operations; Chynkojo Hajji, Kazy of Chui Province; Col. Erkin Osmonov, Commander of Air Defense Forces, Ministry of Defense, Kyrgyz Republic; the Honorable Pamela Spratlen, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic; and Col. James Jacobson, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Tech. Sgt. Hank Hoegen)

$30M aircraft ramp opens at Manas

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz traditional storytellers and singers improvise a song at the conclusion of the large aircraft ramp dedication ceremony here June 23. The new $30 million ramp increases the Transit Center’s maximum parking capacity by 52 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Tech. Sgt. Hank Hoegen)

$30M aircraft ramp opens at Manas

Published June 23, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, the United States ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, along with Kyrgyz military and civilian partners dedicated a new large aircraft ramp here June 23.

"Today (as) we officially dedicate the $30 million large aircraft parking ramp, we mark yet another major milestone for the Transit Center at Manas, Manas International Airport and Kyrgyzstan," said Col. James Jacobson, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "On this very special day, we thank our Kyrgyz partners for their enthusiastic spirit of cooperation and assistance in carrying out our very important mission."

The process of designing, planning, coordinating and constructing the ramp took 17 months. During this time a 270-person team poured more than 49,000 cubic meters of sub-base, concrete and asphalt; installed nearly three miles of drainage and fire hydrant lines; and laid four miles of electrical cable. The new ramp increases the Transit Center's maximum parking capacity by 52 percent.

"This ramp improves the Transit Center's ability to move the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines of many nations to and from Afghanistan," Colonel Jacobson said. "Moreover, this ramp will serve the country of Kyrgyzstan for many years to come. Its completion symbolizes the success of joint U.S. and Kyrgyzstan efforts here at the Manas International Airport."

The Kyrgyz Republic benefits from the new ramp's construction because the Manas International Airport will also utilize the added ramp space in the future.

"The government of the Kyrgyz Republic is committed to improving the Manas International Airport in order to turn it into a regional commercial hub and we are pleased to contribute to this effort," said the Honorable Pamela Spratlen, U.S. ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. "Thank you again, to everyone who made this opening happen, and to all who work to strengthen the partnership between the U.S and the Kyrgyz Republic."