NASA astronauts touch down at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan

Published Jan. 31, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan -- -- Six crew members of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-126 mission, who returned to Earth Nov. 30, 2008, after 16 days in space, launched a first-ever tour of the deployed AOR with a two-day visit to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Jan. 28-29. The visit kicked off a tour of deployed bases to visit U.S. and coalition service members supporting ongoing operations in Afghanistan.

"I'm proud to be able to visit the men and women who support and defend our country overseas," said Air Force Col. Eric Boe, pilot of the Space Shuttle Endeavour during the mission to and from the International Space Station. "Although our jobs are different, we know it is tough being away from family and friends - and being far from home. As a part of the military family, we know that support and a pat on the back go a long way."

"A big part is of our visit is to honor all of the troops who are out here doing all the work," said Colonel Boe. "We want to make sure they know that the people in America are thinking about them and the missions that they are getting accomplished and how important it is to the United States and to the world."

The STS 126 Endeavour mission was the colonel's first space flight. He logged nearly 16 days on this journey and intends to lead more missions in the future. One day he plans to command other missions, but is proud to have piloted this, his first mission in space, he said.

The STS-126 crew members started their visit to Manas AB by giving a video presentation on the shuttle launch to the ISS. They also provided a brief synopsis of their mission, which laid the foundation to double the size of the crew aboard the ISS.

In a way, the Endeavour served like a cargo plane, carrying up a new toilet and a water recycling contraption, along with tons of food and sustainment necessities and even some fresh fruit for the astronauts who have been living up in space for close to six months.

The ins and outs of being an astronaut in space, orbiting 200 miles above the earth, going 17,000 mph while being docked to the ISS, were revealed to a captive audience during two question and answer sessions held at Pete's Place, Manas AB's main morale center.

"We were very intrigued and interested to come to Kyrgyzstan and to the forward operating bases," said Navy Capt. Chris Ferguson, the Endeavour commander during STS-126. "We came here to learn as much as possible about what happens out here and share with folks who are interested in space that want to hear from us," said Captain Ferguson, a 1991 Naval Postgraduate School alumnus and a veteran of two shuttle flights that logged more than 28 days in space.

"We're all military, but for astronauts like me, our fighting days are over," said the former F-14 Tomcat pilot. Our jobs now are more at the managerial level and I think perhaps a little part of us misses what's going on in the military today. This is a great opportunity to see this again," he said.

From the time the astronauts arrived until their departure, the visit was packed with special opportunities to meet with Manas Airmen and even a unique opportunity to visit Kyrgyz school children in the local community. Packed into their schedule were two "meet and greets" at Pete's Place; breakfast and lunch with coalition personnel; a tour of the passenger terminal, fitness center, recreation areas, and flight line operations where they toured a KC-135 Stratotanker. They even had the unique opportunity to have a close encounter with the base's bird deterrent falcon, Mustang, whose predator instincts helps keep the local bird population away from the busy flight line and its fleet of civilian and military aircraft.

An additional night time presentation at Pete's Place allowed hundreds of personnel deployed to Manas, as well as Soldiers transiting through, a chance to learn about the wonders of space living and exploration.

Along with Colonel Boe and Captain Ferguson, the rest of the STS-126 crew included four mission specialists; Donald Pettit, Army Lt. Col. Shane Kimbrough, and Navy Capts. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen. After departing Manas AB, the astronauts plan to visit various forward operating bases in Afghanistan and then make a final stop in Germany, where they will visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center near Ramstein Air Base and several of the Department of Defense schools in the area to speak with the students.

"I saw a lot of value to this tour," said Col. Edward Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., who accompanied the astronauts during their tour. "Typically the crew members' post spaceflight activities consist of visiting their hometowns and schools. This is the first time astronauts have gone on a trip like this," said the colonel.

"NASA came to me about a year ago to see if the military would be interested in partnering with them for a tour, said Colonel Shock. "It was the first time they have ever gone out to a deployed location. NASA wanted the chance to thank everybody here for what they're accomplishing at deployed locations. This is a great partnership between NASA and the military working together to bring this to the service members."

"The men and women serving here are our heroes," said Colonel Boe. "They come listen to us share our message, but to tell you the truth, we learn as much or more from their questions and what they're talking about than the other way around," said the 1987 Air Force Academy graduate.

"I specifically picked this part of the AOR because the folks here haven't gotten a heckuva lot of entertainment," said Colonel Shock. "I hope it will be an experience both the crew and the audiences will learn from and won't soon forget."

For many, the astronauts' visit was a unique and refreshing change from the norm and was truly a memorable experience.

"I feel like a kid in a candy store," said Senior Airman Joe Budig, an aircraft maintainer in the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I've been fascinated by space travel ever since I was little and I haven't stopped smiling since the presentation. I think it's just great that they came here. They may not be sports stars or your typical distinguished visitor, but in my mind they are true celebrities," said Airman Budig.

"They do such amazing things and they're one of us - they serve our country," said Airman Budig, who is deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. "I'm hoping to get a commission so that I can pursue the space program in the future," said the KC-135 Stratotanker mechanic.