Transit Center at Manas

Transit Center at Manas
Transit Center at Manas
(Manas Air Base)

376th Air Expeditionary Wing.png

Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan
070716-F-8133W-002 Manas Air Base.jpg
Barracks of the Manas Air Base
Transit Center at Manas is located in Kyrgyzstan
Location within Kyrgyzstan
Type Air force base
Coordinates 43°03′01″N 74°28′10″E / 43.050278°N 74.469444°E / 43.050278; 74.469444Coordinates: 43°03′01″N 74°28′10″E / 43.050278°N 74.469444°E / 43.050278; 74.469444
Built 2001
Built by United States
In use December 2001 – present
Controlled by United States Air Force
Garrison Ninth Air Force
Current
commander
Colonel Dwight Sones

Transit Center at Manas (formerly Manas Air Base and unofficially Ganci Air Base) is a United States military installation at Manas International Airport, near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, primarily operated by the U.S. Air Force.

The base was opened in December 2001 to support U.S. military operations in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. It has hosted forces from several other International Security Assistance Force member states as well. The base is a transit point for US military personnel coming and going from Afghanistan. The base has good recreation facilities for airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines (internet cafes, wireless internet, pool tables, free video games, telephones to DSN lines that allow a coalition forces to call their homes at little or no cost). The base has a large dining facility, gymnasium and a chapel. There is even a library where books and magazines are available for the active duty airmen there.

Several events, such as the shooting of a local civilian and rumors of fuel dumping, have led to strained relations with some of the local population.[1] Regional powers such as Russia and China have been pushing for the closure of the base since 2005.[2]

In February 2009 the Kyrgyz Parliament voted to close the base after the two governments failed to agree on a higher rent for the property.[3][4][5] American and Kyrgyz officials continued negotiations after the announcement, and on 23 June a tentative agreement was reached. Under the new arrangement the United States will pay ( http://www.fergana.akipress.org/news:28802 , http://www.tazar.kg/news.php?i=5230 ) 200 million for continued use of the facilities, three times the previous rent. Additionally, Kyrgyz forces now handle security in the areas surrounding the facility while American forces continue to provide security for the facility, and the site is now called a "transit center" instead of an "air base".[6]

Contents

Name

The installation was initially named after New York Fire Department Chief Peter J. Ganci, Jr., who was killed in the 11 September terrorist attack.[7] The all-ranks club/recreation center on base is known as "Pete's Place" in his honor.[8]

Shortly after the U.S. Air Force had used the name "Ganci," it was found that an Air Force Instruction (AFI) dictated that non-US air bases could not bear the name of any US citizens. Since that time the air base has been officially called Manas Air Base, after the name of Manas International Airport where it is located.[citation needed]

The name "Manas" refers to the Epic of Manas, a world-renowned Kyrgyz epic poem.[9]

The facility was renamed "Transit Center at Manas" following a new agreement between the U.S. and Kyrgyz governments, signed in June 2009. Most English-language sources, however, continue to refer to it as "Manas Air Base".

The Transit Center at Manas International Airport is a transportation and logistics hub established to support international efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

The Center opened on December 16, 2001.[10] Since then it has hosted forces from Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania and the United States.

An agreement between the United States Government and the Government of Kyrgyzstan permitting use of Manas International Airport as a Transit Center (“the Agreement”) was concluded in May 2009 and entered into force on July 14, 2009. The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan ratified the Agreement on June 25, 2009. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement, the United States and Kyrgyzstan consult on all matters pertaining to the Transit Center including protection of the environment, health and human safety, and local procurement. The United States assists Kyrgyzstan with the upkeep and maintenance of the International Airport. Given the importance of the Transit Center for ongoing international military operations in Afghanistan, the United States has agreed to provide $60 million per year in quarterly installments for use of the International Airport and facilities for the Transit Center and as reimbursement for mutually agreed logistics support. All payments are made directly to the Government of Kyrgyzstan in accordance with the Agreement.

The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek[11] and the U.S. military continue to work closely with the Government of Kyrgyzstan to ensure that operations at the Transit Center are consistent with the terms of the Agreement. U.S. military personnel at the Transit Center are mindful of the needs of the local community and contribute regularly to humanitarian efforts in Kyrgyzstan.[12] U.S. airmen from the Transit Center recently visited an orphanage at Krasnorechenskaya Boarding School to deliver food and clothing. They also donated flour, oil, rice, and pasta for the 270 children at the Sokulukskaya Special Boarding School and orphanage.[citation needed]

The Transit Center at Manas remains a symbol of the friendship of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan and the United States and of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries toward the common goal of peace and stability in Afghanistan.[citation needed]

Operation Enduring Freedom

On December 18, 2001, the 86th Contingency Response Group out of Ramstein Air Base in Germany arrived at Manas to open the airfield for military use as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.[7]

U.S. close air support aircraft deployed there included U.S. Air Force F-15Es and U.S. Marine Corps F-18s. In February 2002, a detachment of French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000D ground attack aircraft and KC-135 air-refueling tankers deployed to Manas in support of ground forces in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. In March of the same year, the Royal Australian Air Force stationed two B707 air-to-air refueling aircraft at the base. It was also deployed an C-130 Norwegianin early 2002 which were withdrawn in October 2002 when a tri-national detachment, known as European Participating Airforces (EPAF) of a total of 18 F-16s, 6 from the Danish, 6 from the Dutch and 6 from the Norwegian F-16 ground attack aircraft took the place of the Mirages. Support for the new aircraft came in the form of one Netherlands KDC-10 tanker, and several American KC-135s, which remain assigned to this day. At the same time it was deployed two Spanish Superpuma rescue helicopter from the Army Aviation and at least 2 Spanish C-130s. Several of the servicemen from this unit were killed in an air crash on their way home from the base.[13] The unofficial nickname to this base is "The Gateway to Hell", as many that pass through the base are on their way to combat. This nickname was originally picked up by USAF FireDawgs (Fire Protection) as they would forward deploy to FOB Salerno, Afghanistan.

ISAF support

A KC-135 Stratotanker sits on the flightline at Manas Air Base.

In September 2004, the Royal Netherlands Air Force again returned with 5x F-16 fighter/bomber to provide Close Air Support (CAS) for the ISAF mission, which now encompassed both Kabul and Northern Afghanistan. To supplement the small availability of tanker aircraft, a RNLAF KDC-10 was also deployed which flew regularly to supply Dutch F-16s with fuel. At that time, the Spanish Airforce was also giving support with a single C-130. The Dutch, commanded by LtCol Bob "Body" Verkroost, remained until the presidential elections of 9 October 2004 elected Hamid Karzai as president of Afghanistan. The last F-16 mission was flown on 19 November 2004 at which time the F-16s were withdrawn to their homebase of Volkel Airbase in the Netherlands, while the KDC-10 flew the personnel back to Eindhoven Airport. The Dutch returned with F-16s to the Afghan theatre in 2005 but at that time began operating out of Kabul Airport.

Recent events

The Tulip Revolution of March, 2005 led to the toppling of Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev. However, American and allied personnel did not find themselves disrupted or affected, according to international news reports. One military member even indicated, "It's been business as usual...We did not miss a single flight."[14]

In April, 2006, Kyrgyzstan's new president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, threatened to expel U.S. troops if the United States would not agree by 1 June to pay more for stationing forces in the Central Asian nation. He later withdrew this threat.

On 6 September 2006, a U.S. Air Force officer, Maj. Jill Metzger went missing after being separated from her group while visiting a shopping center in Bishkek. She was found three days later in the nearby city of Kant. Metzger claimed to have escaped from kidnappers, though U.S. officials noted "serious inconsistencies" in her account. The matter is still under investigation.

December 2006 shooting

A C-5 Galaxy cargo plane being refuelled by a KrAZ tanker truck at Manas after arriving from Ramstein Air Base.

On 6 December 2006, U.S. serviceman Zachary Hatfield fatally shot Alexander Ivanov, a Kyrgyz civilian, at a truck checkpoint at the base. A statement from the base stated the airman “used deadly force in response to a threat at an entry control checkpoint."[15] Ivanov, a truck driver for Aerocraft Petrol Management, was waiting to finish the security check before proceeding into the U.S.-controlled area. According to a base spokesman, "As the airman approached the tent, the driver physically threatened him with a knife which was discovered at the scene. The airman drew his 9mm weapon and fired in self-defense."[16] Hatfield fired two shots into Ivanov's chest, killing him.

The killing drew widespread condemnation from Kyrgyz authorities and they quickly demanded that Hatfield's immunity from local prosecution be revoked. In the meantime, U.S. authorities agreed to have Hatfield remain in Kyrgyzstan until the matter is resolved.[17] Another issue to come out of the shooting was that of the compensation offered to Ivanov's family. His employer offered the family $50,000 while the U.S. government offered only around $2,000. Galina Skripkina, a lawyer representing Ivanov's widow, described the U.S. offer as "humiliating" and said that if it was not increased the family would take legal action. However, the U.S. embassy stated that this amount was an interim payment and that final compensation would be determined once the investigation into the shooting was concluded.[18]

2009 threat of closure and restructuring

Russian news coverage of the vote to close Manas Air Base in the Kyrgyzstani Parliament.

On 3 February 2009, Kyrgyzstani President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced that Manas Air Base would soon be closed.[19] Bakiyev said that economic considerations and the negative public attitude towards the base contributed to the decision.[20] A bill calling for the closure of the base and the eviction of U.S. forces was passed by the Kyrgyz parliament by a vote of 78 to one on 19 February 2009.[5] The following day, 20 February, an official eviction notice was delivered to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, according to the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[21]

The news of the base's closure followed the announcement of a new agreement between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in which Kyrgyzstan will receive $2 billion in loans and $150 million in financial aid from Russia.[22] Most observers see the two events as connected, and believe that Russian financial assistance was offered on the condition that U.S. forces were expelled from Kyrgyzstan.[23][24][25][26] Currently, the U.S. government provides $150 million in aid annually to Kyrgyzstan.[23] According to General David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, around $63 million of that sum is directly connected to the base.[27] The larger Russian package is viewed by some analysts as an effort to "out-bid" the Americans.[23]

Referring to the closure of Manas Air Base, Pentagon spokesman Geoff S. Morrell directly accused Russia of "attempting to undermine [American] use of that facility".[22] U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates also said that, "The Russians are trying to have it both ways with respect to Afghanistan in terms of Manas. On one hand you're making positive noises about working with us in Afghanistan, and on the other hand you're working against us in terms of that airfield which is clearly important to us."[26] However Russian President Dmitry Medvedev distanced his country from the announcement, saying that it was "within the competence of the Kyrgyz Republic" to decide how the Manas base functioned.[22]

On 23 June 2009 a new deal was reached between the U.S. and Kyrgyz governments. It was ratified by the Kyrgyz parliament two days later, and signed into law by President Bakiyev on 7 July.[28][29] Under the terms of the new agreement, U.S. payment for use of the facilities will increase from $17.1 million to $60 million. An additional $117 million will be given to the Kyrgyz government, including $36 million for upgrading the airport with additional storage facilities and aircraft parking, $21 million for fighting drug trafficking in the country, and $20 million for economic development.[7][30]

The facility's official title also was altered under the new agreement. Instead of being referred to as "Manas Air Base", it became the "Transit Center at Manas International Airport".[30] According to a Kyrgyz government spokesman, the facility will officially cease to be an air base in August 2009, after which point its legal status would be altered to a logistic center.[28] Additionally, security around the base will now be handled by Kyrgyz personnel, as opposed to American servicemen.[6]

Several local political observers believe that despite the changes in the new agreement, activities at the base will continue unaltered, and in fact, as of March 2010, operations continue.[6][30] In March 2010 the US transported 50,000 NATO soldiers to Afghanistan via Kyrgyzstan as it represents the quickest and most effiecient route.[31] The new agreement does not appear to restrict the kind of materials U.S. forces can move into and out of the base.[6] There have, however, been some concerns as to whether Russia and China will lobby the Kyrgyz government not to renew the lease when the current agreement comes to an end in June 2010.[31]

According to Bill Gertz, China had reportedly asked the government of Kyrgyzstan to close the base to US use in return for $3 billion in cash. According to Gertz, the Chinese ambassador to Kyrgyzstan subsequently denied to the US ambassador that the covert cash offer had been made.[32]

On 8 November 2011, newly elected President Almazbek Atambayev said that he would attempt to close the base when its lease runs out in 2014.[33]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ Kucera, Joshua (4 December 2007). "US Armed Forces Try to Win Hearts and Minds". EurasiaNet. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav120407a.shtml. 
  2. ^ Kimmage, Daniel (9 July 2005). "SCO: Shoring Up the Post-Soviet Status Quo". EurasiaNet. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp070905.shtml. 
  3. ^ Pronina, Lyubov (3 February 2009). "Kyrgyzstan to Close U.S. Air Base Used for Afghan War". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a45p.N1wLfyo. 
  4. ^ Blomfield, Adrian (4 February 2009). "US troops ordered out of Kyrgyzstan after Russia deal". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kyrgyzstan/4513296/US-troops-ordered-out-of-Kyrgyzstan-after-Russia-deal.html. Retrieved 4 February 2009. 
  5. ^ a b "Kyrgyz MPs vote to shut US base". BBC News Online. 19 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7898690.stm. Retrieved 19 February 2009. 
  6. ^ a b c d Schwirtz, Michael (23 June 2009). "In Reversal, Kyrgyzstan Won’t Close a U.S. Base". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/world/asia/24base.htm. 
  7. ^ a b c Manas International Airport GlobalSecurity.org
  8. ^ 'Live Round' rocks Manas Air Base 376th AEW Manas Air Base, US Air Force
  9. ^ The Art of Akyns, Kyrgyz Epic Tellers UNESCO
  10. ^ http://www.manas.afcent.af.mil/library/factsheets/index.asp
  11. ^ http://bishkek.usembassy.gov/transit_center_at_manas2.html U.S. Embassy in Bishkek
  12. ^ http://www.manas.afcent.af.mil/news/humanitarian-assistance.asp
  13. ^ http://www.euroresidentes.com/Blogs/2004/06/spanish-military-air-crash-in-turkey.html
  14. ^ Christian Lowe (1 April 2005). "Business as Usual at U.S. Base in Kyrgyzstan". Reuters. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/01/002.html. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  15. ^ "U.S. troops quizzed after Kyrgyz man shot dead". Associated Press. 7 December 2006. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16072996/. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  16. ^ "Kyrgyz Man Shot By U.S. Soldier Is Buried". RFE/RL. 8 December 2006. http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/12/ed4eb5c6-2a9a-497c-a4d1-be89f9d68d82.html. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  17. ^ "Kyrgyzstan Wants U.S. Soldier's Immunity Lifted In Wake Of Shooting". RFE/RL. 7 December 2006. http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/12/13a53d4b-b2be-4944-9efd-adfeaae535eb.html. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  18. ^ "Family of man shot at Manas offered $2,000". Air Force Times. 12 March 2007. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/03/apkyr070312/. Retrieved 20 July 2007. 
  19. ^ "Киргизия закрывает авиабазу США в Манасе". 3 February 2009. http://www.rian.ru/defense_safety/20090203/160879889.html.  (Russian)
  20. ^ "Kyrgyzstan to shut down NATO's air base". Russia Today. 3 February 2009. http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/36774. Retrieved 3 February 2009. 
  21. ^ "The United States Receives Formal Air Base Eviction Notice". EurasiaNet. 20 February 2009. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/news/articles/eav022009.shtml. 
  22. ^ a b c "Kyrgyzstan to shut US military base". Financial Times. 3 February 2009. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d9e47de-f227-11dd-9678-0000779fd2ac.html. Retrieved 4 February 2009. 
  23. ^ a b c Rahmetov, Anvar (18 February 2009). "Tracking Russia's Assistance Package to Bishkek". EurasiaNet. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav021809.shtml. 
  24. ^ Brinkley, Joel (22 February 2009). "Why is Russia bribing Kyrgyzstan?". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/21/INNN15VE8O.DTL. 
  25. ^ Levy, Clifford (21 February 2009). "Poker-Faced, Russia Flaunts Its Afghan Card". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/weekinreview/22levy.html. 
  26. ^ a b Thompson, Mark (19 February 2009). "Obama Loses a Key Base for Afghanistan". Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1880686,00.html. 
  27. ^ Trilling, David; Deirdre Tynan (3 February 2009). "President Bakiyev Wants to Close US Military Base Outside Bishkek". EurasiaNet. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav020309b.shtml. 
  28. ^ a b "Kyrgyz parliament approves U.S. base deal". Reuters. 25 June 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE55O1DP20090625. Retrieved 25 June 2009. 
  29. ^ "Kyrgyz leader approves US deal for Manas base". Associated Press. 7 July 2009. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5goSq-Hk4_xi9Fm7sI4SLjpc5neiwD999ITMO0. 
  30. ^ a b c Tynan, Deirdre (23 June 2009). "US Armed Forces to Remain at Air Base for Afghan Resupply Operations". EurasiaNet. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav062309b.shtml. 
  31. ^ a b China, US, Russia eye Bishkek
  32. ^ Gertz, Bill, "Inside the Ring: China in Kyrgyzstan", Washington Times, 2 December 2010, p. 8.
  33. ^ Schwirtz, Michael (8 November 2011). "New Leader Says U.S. Base in Kyrgyzstan Will Be Shut". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/world/asia/kyrgyzstan-says-united-states-manas-air-base-will-close.html. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Manas — may refer to one of the following: Manas, a Kyrgyz epic poem with 500,000 lines. The Pali and Sanskrit term for mind ; see Manas (early Buddhism) Manas vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism Mana, the concept of an… …   Wikipedia

  • Manas International Airport — IATA: FRU – ICAO: UAFM …   Wikipedia

  • Base aérienne de Manas — Transit Center at Manas (Manas Air Base) Code AITA Code OACI FRU UAFM …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Centre de transit par Manas — Base aérienne de Manas Transit Center at Manas (Manas Air Base) Code AITA FRU Code OACI UAFM …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bagram Airfield — IATA: OAI – ICAO: OAIX …   Wikipedia

  • List of United States military bases — Map of the major U.S. military installations, ranges and training areas in the continental United States …   Wikipedia

  • The 36 tattvas — In Kaśmir Śaivism, the 36 tattvas describe the Absolute, its internal aspects and the creation including living beings, down to the physical reality. The addition of 11 supplemental tattvas compared to the IAST|Sāṃkhya allows for a richer, fuller …   Wikipedia

  • Colorado Springs, Colorado —   City   Colorado Springs with the Front Range in background …   Wikipedia

  • Géostratégie de la Russie — Russie Cet article fait partie de la série sur la politique de la Russie, sous série sur la politique …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Meanings of minor planet names: 3001–3500 — As minor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by the IAU s Minor Planet Center, and the discoverers can then submit names for them, following the IAU s naming conventions. The list below concerns those minor planets …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”