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.
Sharene Brown has led an initiative, “Five and Thrive,” to tackle some of the most vexing issues facing Airmen's families during her husband's time as the Air Force's top officer. Now that Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. has been nominated as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff…