Spanish paella

An Airman of Manas Air Base’s Spanish “Mizar” detachment here serves paella, a traditional Spanish dish, to Liberandos Airmen during the Bonfires of Saint John festival July 1. The Spanish Airmen invited several hundred Coalition personnel and local Kyrgyz guests to help observe the annual festival celebrated throughout Spain. (photo by Maj. Damien Pickart

Spanish Paella

Coalition personnel and local guests cheer as flames from the Bonfire of Saint John leap into the night sky at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, July 1. Airmen from the Spanish “Mizar” detachment here invited several hundred Coalition personnel and local guests to help them observe the annual festival, traditionally celebrated in late June throughout Spain. (photo by Maj. Damien Pickart)

Spanish paella

As contenders look on, Airmen of the Spanish “Mizar” detachment auction off artwork during the Bonfire of Saint John celebration at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, July 1. The auction, whose proceeds went to community outreach efforts, was one of many activities held during the celebration attended by several hundred Coalition personnel and Kyrgyz guests. (photo by Maj. Damien Pickart)

Coalition partner shares Spanish tradition

Published July 3, 2008
By Maj. Damien Pickart
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AB, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen of the Spanish "Mizar" Detachment here treated several hundred Coalition personnel and local Kyrgyz guests to a paella dinner and an evening of festivity during their annual celebration of the Bonfires of Saint John July 1.

"What a thrill to experience something as culturally enlightening as the Bonfires of Saint John," said Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief. "I never expected to come to Kyrgyzstan and learn so much about Spanish traditions and customs."

The Bonfires of Saint John is a popular festival typically celebrated in late June throughout Spain during which people gather together, create large bonfires and share hot chocolate while participants jump over the fires.

"We did our best to curtail jumping over the fire," said Maj. Santiago Ibarreta, the Spanish detachment commander. "As tempting as it was for some following Spain's European Cup victory, they know this wouldn't be a good time or place to find out they're not fireproof."

The Spanish detachment, which flies C-130s in support Spanish and Coalition forces in Afghanistan, kicked off the evening's festivities with a traditional Spanish dish known as paella. Paella is a rice dish that may include a variety of ingredients such as chicken, shellfish, vegetables and seasonings, most important of which is saffron. The dish is prepared and served in extremely large pans.

"The paella dinner was much better than I expected," said Master Sergeant Todd Boyer, 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight chief. "This was my first paella dinner here and it was a great time; great food and a lot of energy, especially during the auction."

After the crowd polished off both pans of paella, the Spanish detachment held an auction to raise funds for the Manas Air Base Outreach Society, a private organization that donates resources and funds and provides invaluable volunteer work for a variety of goodwill projects in the local Kyrgyz communities. All of the pieces of art auctioned off were the personal works of Major Ibarreta.

The highlight of the evening kicked off as the sun set and the crowd erupted in cheers and song with the lighting of the bonfire. Its flames quickly lit up the night sky as it devoured a large paper mache C-130 that topped out the pile of timbers.

"I think everyone here misses their customs and traditions a little when we're so far from home," said Major Ibarreta. "We are so happy to share our celebration of the Bonfires of Saint John with our guests to bring smiles to so many faces tonight."