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New facility, ceremony mark Ganci's one-year presence in Kyrgyz Republic

USAFE

12/18/2002

By 2nd Lt. Warren Comer 376th Air Expeditionary Wing

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (USAFENS) -- The dedication of a new recreational facility and a brief ceremony at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic, Dec. 16 marked the one-year anniversary of a coalition presence here.

More than 200 people, including Kyrgyz officials and dignitaries from the U.S. Embassy in nearby Bishkek, capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, attended the hour-long ceremony, which was held inside Ganci's newly constructed Coalition Center.

The dedication of the new facility, which will house a movie theater and a fitness center, was held one year to the day that airmen from the 86th Contingency Response Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, established, for the first time, an American presence in the former Soviet satellite country of what was then called Kyrgyzstan. Their presence here helped establish a forward deployed base to fight the global war on terrorism.

"What a remarkable difference we've all seen on the base in just a year," said Brig. Gen. Jared P. Kennish, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "Ganci Air Base will be the model used in the future for any coalition force."

An explosive ordnance disposal robot was used to cut a blue ribbon, signifying the official opening of the Coalition Center.

"From the beginning, the Kyrgyz government played a vital role in bringing this operation to Central Asia," said John O'Keefe, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. "To each coalition partner, I say congratulations."

The 376th AEW -- which includes European participating air forces -- provides airlift, air combat and air refueling support to Afghanistan from its location near Manas International Airport, about 20 miles outside Bishkek.

Welcoming the coalition forces, the Honorable Osmonakum Ibraimov, State Secretary to the Kyrgyz Republic, said his country has played a vital role in a partnership against terrorism.

"Since we are a young country, we are building our future," said Ibraimov. "Your presence here helps us a lot."

"Today we're looking at a world where people can strike our homeland," said Kennish. "We thank everyone who has made this base such a success story. Everyone here is making a difference."