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Local mayors visit Manas

  • Published
  • By Maj. Damien Pickart
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZSTAN --  Combine one warm December afternoon, mix in some good food, laughter and plenty of conversation and the result was a strengthening of friendship between Manas Airmen and their Kyrgyz neighbors.

Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, hosted a visit and luncheon with the mayors and deputy mayors of the six largest villages that surround the base, Dec. 10. The visit offered base and village leadership the opportunity to meet one another, discuss issues that affect both and develop stronger ties through which to resolve issues of concern.

Over lunch, base and village leadership shared their sentiments and offered good will for one another with a customary toast.

"It is an honor to have you join us today so we can continue to grow our friendship and get to know one another better," said Colonel Bence. "May our relations strengthen and I wish you all good prosperity in the future."

In response to the colonel's warm toast, the mayors offered a traditional reply.

"To our friendship and continued cooperation in the future," said Galina Tereschuk, Oktaybr'skoe village mayor. "May our relationship always be strong."

"And to the prosperity, well-being, health of us all and luck and good success for everyone," added Sergey Bakhtin, mayor of Manas village.

Through translators, the mayors conveyed their thanks and appreciation to the base for the continued support and assistance rendered by Airmen who participate in two non-profit volunteer organizations; the Manas Service Organization and the Manas Air Base Outreach Society. Over the past several years, both organizations have provided thousands of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in donations and supplies to help the local villages with a variety of projects, including refurbishing schools and community centers, fixing and building fences and playgrounds, and providing school supplies, clothes and generators.

"Manas service members are thankful to be able to help those in need, especially our wonderful Kyrgyz neighbors," said Colonel Bence. "We value the friendships we've developed over the years with our hosts and helping a friend in need is the right thing to do."

Following a lunch and discussion about MSO support to the villages in 2008, Colonel Bence took his guests on a tour of the base, showing off many of the new improvements since they last visited in February, including the new medical clinic, morale center and upgrades to the fitness complex. They also toured a KC-135, had an opportunity to hold one of the base's bird mitigation program falcons. They even had the opportunity to see the wing commander suit up for a demonstration with a K-9 security dog.

"I've met many of the former wing commanders here at Manas and they've all been so friendly and nice, but Colonel Bence is certainly the coolest," said Teyitbek Aliev, the mayor of Mramoronoye Village. "It was great seeing him in the suit showing us how well trained the security dogs are here. I really admire his warm personality and how open and transparent he is with us about everything."

After the tour, the mayors discussed several issues with base leadership over coffee and tea. They also pointed out how warm was visit was and the family-like atmosphere of the base.

"I didn't think they were going to show us everything," said Magiyat Abakirova, chief accountant of Jany Pakhta village. "This was my first visit and I thought it was top secret. I was so excited during the visit and really enjoyed seeing everything. The base has been so good to our villages and for that we are thankful."