Manas Air Base hosts annual family day for U.S. Embassy

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson | Tech. Sgt. Brian Keller Griffin and Capt. Leonard Lujan grill brats and burgers during the annual 376th Air Expeditionary Wing-hosted Embassy Family Day, May 23, 2009, at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. State Department and Kyrgyz employees from the U.S. Embassy shared camaraderie and fun with wing members at a softball game, picnic and base tour put on by the 376th AEW. Visitors also enjoyed demonstrations by the explosive ordnance disposal flight and military working dog team. Sergeant Keller Griffin is assigned to 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and is deployed from Yokota AB, Japan. Captain Lujan is a California Air National Guardsman deployed with the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.  

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZSTAN

05.23.2009

Story by Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson 

376th Air Expeditionary Wing

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan — Manas Airmen made the most of a summery Saturday by hosting nearly 125 State Department and Kyrgyz employees from the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for a fun-filled day of softball, barbequed food and tours and demonstrations.

During the annual 376th Air Expeditionary Wing-hosted Embassy Family Day, the embassy employees and their families shared camaraderie and fun with base members at a softball game and barbecue put on by the 376th AEW. Visitors also enjoyed demonstrations by the explosive ordnance disposal flight, military working dog team, and received a tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

While the two softball teams battled it out on the ball field, dozens of children got to meet the base firefighters, explosive ordnance team, and enjoyed toys provided by the wing.

After an hour of sweating in the sun to the sounds of cheering fans, bats striking balls, and laughter, volunteers from the wing served a barbecue spread of brats, sausages, and burgers along with delicious American picnic fare of potato salad and baked beans.

And the fun didn't end with cupcakes, homemade pecan and apple pies and fresh fruits; with full bellies, the visitors hopped on several buses and headed out to the flightline where they got to explore a KC-135 Stratotanker and see one of Manas' two falcons that keep birds of prey away from the planes on the flightline.

"I enjoyed everything about the day," said Ms. Daniya Baisubavova, who is the protocol assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Tatiana Gfoeller. "It's always great to come to this event because it gives those of us working at the embassy a chance to see and understand what the military does," she said.

"Everyone had such a great time. The food is great and everyone is so friendly. The best part is that we get to interact with people on the base and this brings us together on a more understanding level," she said.

As volunteer Airmen shuttled the last of the guest to the gate and thanked them for coming out to the base, most everyone agreed the effort had been a success.

"I was really happy with how many folks came out to the base to enjoy the day and what we put on for them," said Maj. Paul Griggs, 376th AEW Commanders Action Group chief. "Seeing all those children and families enjoying the day made me think of home and why we serve. It made all the effort we put into the event worthwhile," said the Alabama Air National Guardsman deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in his hometown of Montgomery, Ala.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2009
• Date Posted: 05.31.2009 05:12
• Story ID: 34331
• Location: MANAS AIR BASE, KG