The use of Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan by American forces now has an official blessing. US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice secured a formal agreement from Kyrgyz officials for open-ended use of the facility, capping the verbal arrangement Defense Secretary Rumsfeld brought home this summer. (DR, 09/07/05) Since the Rumsfeld visit Kyrgyzstan, the country has had a leadership change. In return for the use of Manas, the new Kyrgyz government has requested more money. According to the Washington Post, the US now pays around $50 million per year.
The Guardians of the 11th Space Warning Squadron were honored as the top U.S. Space Force unit for 2024 for their role in thwarting Iranian missile barrages last year.