Manas Airmen help provide aid to Kyrgyz in need

Air Force Link ^ | Maj. Damien Pickart, USAF

[SandRat]

12/1/2008 - MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- Manas Airmen, in conjunction with U.S. Embassy personnel in Bishkek, hosted a small ceremony Nov. 25 in which 31,680 meals-ready-to-eat and more than 100 cold weather sleeping bags were provided to the Kyrgyz Republic's Ministry of Emergency Situations, or MES, to help local Kyrgyz who may need assistance during the coming winter.

Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Tatiana Gfeoller, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, presided over the event on behalf of the United States. Mr. Akyl Aitbaev, the MES deputy minister, accepted the aid on behalf of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

"As we prepare to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, it is with heartfelt appreciation that we can provide this assistance to help our Kyrgyz friends through a tough winter," said Colonel Bence. "Whether helping local orphanages or funding a surgery to save a child's life, helping is a part of the American spirit and culture."

The MREs and sleeping bags, valued at $250,000, were provided by Department of Defense officials through the Office of Military Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy with support from Manas AB personnel. According to U.S. Embassy officials, the assistance was provided based on a list of requested supplies released by the MES. The ministry will coordinate further distribution of the assistance to where it is most needed.

Ministry trucks picked up the first load of supplies immediately following the ceremony, with Manas Airmen, Kyrgyz officers and embassy staff standing side-by-side to load the boxes of MREs. The remaining supplies were picked up in four more runs to the base, from where they were transported to a local MES warehouse.

During the ceremony, Colonel Bence, Ambassador Gfoeller and Deputy Minister Aitbaev each took time to share their thoughts about the importance of the Kyrgyz-U.S. partnership and helping one another out in times of need.

"Today is yet another special opportunity for the United States and Kyrgyzstan to show their commitment and support for one another," said Colonel Bence. "We hope this assistance can help ease any suffering for those in need."

[SandRat]

Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, and Tatiana Gfeoller, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, hand the first box of meals-ready-to-eat to Mr. Akyl Aitbaev, deputy minister at the Ministry of Emergency Situations, during a humanitarian assistance ceremony Nov. 25. Department of Defense officials donated MREs and cold weather sleeping bags to help local Kyrgyz who may need assistance during the coming winter. (Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ruth Holcomb)