Fueling the fight in Afghanistan

A KC-135 Stratotanker takes off from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, for a refueling mission over Afghanistan, Feb. 6. Manas AB serves as the premier air mobility hub for Operation Enduring Freedom, providing round-the-clock aerial refueling and support for cargo and personnel transiting in and out of Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Julie Layton)

Kyrgyz government finalizes decision to close Manas AB

Published Feb. 23, 2009
By Maj. Damien Pickart
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- The government of the Kyrgyz Republic finalized the decision to close Manas Air Base, Feb. 20, after seven years of support to operations in Afghanistan.

Following a vote Feb. 19 by the Kyrgyz Parliament to close the base, the president signed the law and the formal diplomatic notification was delivered to the U.S. Ambassador Feb. 20. Coalition forces now have 180 days to vacate and close the base.

"We have always recognized that Manas Air Base operates only with the express permission of the sovereign government of the Kyrgyz Republic," said Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We will comply and move our operations within the prescribed timeline. It has been an honor and privilege for all coalition personnel to serve in Kyrgyzstan over the past seven years. We will dearly miss the friends we have made and cherish the opportunities in which we have been able to help our neighbors."

Since it stood up in December 2001, Manas AB has served as the premier air mobility hub for the International Security Assistance Force and coalition military forces operating in Afghanistan. The around-the-clock missions include aerial refueling, airlift and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and support for coalition personnel and cargo transiting in and out of Afghanistan.