Photo By Maj. Rickardo Bodden | Manas Airmen work with Kyrgyz military representatives from the Ministry of Emergency...... read more read more
By Maj. Damien Pickart
376th Air Expeditionary Wing
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan - Manas Airmen, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy 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 to help locals who may need assistance during the coming winter.
Col. Christopher Bence, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, Tatiana Gfeoller, presided over the event on behalf of the United States. The Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations, Akyl Aitbaev, 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 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 the U.S. Department of Defense through the Office of Military Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy with support from Manas Air Base personnel. According to the U.S. Embassy, 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.
MES 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, Bence, Gfoeller and 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 Bence. "We hope this assistance can help ease any suffering for those in need."
| Date Taken: | 11.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2008 22:12 |
| Story ID: | 26918 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 87 |
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