Air Force officials at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, have established a Theater Security Cooperation Division to promote bilateral US-Kyrgyz relations through humanitarian assistance, military-to-military activities, and community partnerships. “The TSC will strive tirelessly to build bridges and uncover solutions to important issues for both the United States and the people of Kyrgyzstan,” said Daniel Ginsberg, USAF’s assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, at the division’s stand-up ceremony April 23. Airmen worked 10 months to create the division. Lt. Col. John Elshaw, TSC director, said a top priority is working with local high-ranking Kyrgyz government officials to organize and plan projects. “In the past, we would provide humanitarian assistance anywhere we could,” he said. “Now we’re drafting operating instructions, setting standards and procedures to sustain this operation for the future.” (Manas report by TSgt. Jerome C. Baysmore)
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.