The Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Passenger Transit Center in Romania reached its full operational capability in late February, announced Air Force officials on March 3. The MK transit center will take over much of the workload from the Transit Center at Manas in Kyrgyzstan, becoming the US military’s main air transit hub for supporting Afghanistan retrograde operations. Manas is slated to shutter its doors later this year. The Feb. 28 ceremony “marked a major joint, combined achievement, and launched a new level of mission capability,” according to a release. The MK transit center will provide “essential logistics, transportation, and morale and welfare services to accommodate the flow of US service members into and out of European and Central Asia operating areas,” states the release. It “strengthens an effective network of capabilities protecting the interests of the US and our allies,” said Army Maj. Gen. John O’Connor, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. “The US and Romania [are] guided by the principle, ‘we train together-we fight together,’” said Maj. Gen. Laurian Anastasof, chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff, regarding the benefits of the two countries’ military cooperation. (See Goodbye Manas, Hello MK.)
2026 NDAA: 5 Highlights for Airmen and Guardians
Dec. 18, 2025
President Donald Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 18, a day after Congress passed the annual defense policy bill for the 65th consecutive year. Here’s what it means for the Air Force and Space Force.
