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Inaugural Yurt event brings 2 nations even closer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, have embraced the "spirit of Kyrgyzstan" by celebrating the most recent building here: a Yurt, which is the traditional nomadic Kyrgyz home and a structure which now symbolizes the friendship between the United States and its host nation here.

The inaugural Yurt event May 28, 2010, was both a going-away party for the current commander, Col. Blaine Holt, and a celebration of all that the Transit Center has accomplished this year in partnership and friendship with Kyrgyzstan.

"When we decided we wanted to have a symbol of Kyrgyz culture and history that showed the relationship between the United States and Kyrgyzstan ... we decided to name this Yurt 'peace' [in Kyrgyz]," said Colonel Holt in a speech, stating that this Yurt symbolizes our friendship with Kyrgyzstan and should reflect peace since the last few weeks in this nation have been difficult for the people of Kyrgyzstan.

Community leaders attended, as well as Airmen who were integral to the Yurt construction. Special guests included Toktobek Sapiynaov, who was hired locally to design and build the Yurt; Zamira Akbagysheva, president of the Congress of Women of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Asylbek Nasirdinov, a world-famous Kyrgyz musician.

Mr. Nasirdinov, who plays ancient Kyrgyz wind and string instruments and has performed in Carnegie Hall and for international events including the inauguration of President Barack Obama, took the spotlight for about 30 minutes to entertain the guests. The Americans in attendance applauded loudly and were very impressed with his music.

"You have accomplished so many wonderful projects while you were commander," said Ms. Akbagysheva in a brief and heartfelt speech. "We will always be appreciative and thankful," she said, speaking of some of the major accomplishments the Transit Center has completed in partnership with Kyrgyzstan this year.

"We would like to thank the government of the United States of America, and the highest leadership including General (David) Petraeus, (Lt.) General (Mike) Hostage ... and all the personnel and employees of the Transit Center who have done a lot for the country of Kyrgyzstan," she said.

"I could have told you so many other names of people here who we know not only by their names, but by their actions and deeds," she continued. "It is the people who create the history."

The feeling was mutual from the wing commander back to the community in Kyrgyzstan.

"The people we've worked with this year and all the leaders in the community have been so supportive," said Colonel Holt. "All of you, from principals of schools to media to artists, dreamers, filmmakers, students ... all of you from so many communities have reached out. You have inspired Airmen with artistry and Kyrgyz music."

We have reached back as people of the Kyrgyz community have allowed us the honor of coming together on small projects where we can lend a hand, he said. This has benefitted us as much as it has benefitted the people of Kyrgyzstan.

"Although I am excited to get home, I am leaving Kyrgyzstan with a very heavy heart," he said. "This is one of the most beautiful cultures I've ever been exposed to in my life, and I've been to more than 135 countries."

He was brought here to command a mobility forces wing, and in that capacity he worked all year long with "the most incredible Airmen" he has ever worked with in his life, he said. Although there are only about 850 Airmen assigned to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, this month alone the Transit Center has moved more than 50,000 members in and out of Afghanistan, which is one of the primary mission sets of the Transit Center at Manas.

It's the finest team he's ever worked with, he said, and "there's absolutely nothing this wing cannot accomplish."

"We are sending Airmen home smarter and stronger than they were when they came here," Colonel Holt said with absolute surety.