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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52323-2002Apr26.html Kyrgyzstan Is Hub for Anti-Terror -The base is home to more than 1,900 troops from eight countries, about half from the United States. The rest are from France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Norway and Spain. By Bagila Bukharbayeva Associated Press Writer Friday, April 26, 2002; 4:05 AM MANAS, Kyrgyzstan –– Officially, the military base here bears the name of the civilian airport where it was hastily built: Manas. But the U.S. and other troops deployed here in Kyrgyzstan call it Ganci air base – a tribute to Peter Ganci, the New York City fire chief who died in the World Trade Center attack, and a reminder of the purpose of their mission on the steppes of Central Asia. The base, constructed on what was a bare field on the airport's territory, has become a busy logistical hub supporting the U.S.-led anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. Fighter jets, C-130 cargo planes and Boeing KC-135 refueling planes fly in and out of Manas. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was on his way to Kyrgyzstan on Friday, launching a Central Asia tour intended to show gratitude to the thousands of American and allied troops in the region and to consult with government officials. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have also provided air bases for U.S. forces and their allies in the anti-terrorism effort. Yet Kyrgyzstan was the only nation in the region to offer unlimited access for aircraft flying combat as well as humanitarian and search-and-rescue missions. It has leased Manas to the coalition for a year. The base is home to more than 1,900 troops from eight countries, about half from the United States. The rest are from France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Norway and Spain. About 200 U.S. Marines arrived this month, along with six U.S. FA-18 Hornet fighter jets. They are the first U.S. aircraft to be deployed at the base, 19 miles from the capital, Bishkek. Six French Mirage-2000 fighter jets are also based here, said Capt. Richard Essary, a spokesman at Manas. The 37-acre compound is fenced off with a concrete wall topped by coiled razor wire. Four watchtowers overlook the compound, and the troops patrol nearby villages "to protect ourselves from the unknown, not the people of Kyrgyzstan," Essary said. Earlier this month, the South Korean contingent opened a 60-bed military hospital on the base grounds. Operated by a Korean staff of 89, the $5 million hospital treats both the troops and local residents. Ganci base has 300 khaki tents, a large fitness room, a chapel and a post office. In the recreation room, soldiers can make a 15-minute call home twice a week, read and send e-mail, play ping-pong, watch American TV shows and play video or board games. "It took a lot of long hours and many weeks with no days off to set up the base," said Chief Master Sgt. David Andrews, from McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash. "We went from a very low quality of life to a very good one." Tech. Sgt. James Mitchell, the assistant cafeteria manager, said he had expected a "much tougher assignment." For him and many of the soldiers here, homesickness is the biggest challenge. "I try to block my mind and keep myself busy," said Mitchell, of Charleston, S.C. Earlier this month, the troops had only their second freshly cooked meal since they started arriving in December: roast pork. Usually they get canned lasagna, spaghetti and meat balls, beef stew, pork and beans, and hamburgers, supplemented by locally purchased bread, milk, fruit and vegetables. The U.S. troops at the base are under Ground Order No. 1, meaning no alcohol, no gambling and no pornography. "We want to be good guests in this country. We want to set the best example we can," Essary said. The U.S. contingent earned some negative points last month when a servicemen ran over and injured two women in Bishkek. The accident provoked an angry reaction in the local media, which was already hostile over alleged underpayment for the use of the airport and damage to the roads. The main concern for ordinary people is whether the foreign troop presence in their country will help the economy. A policeman patrolling Manas airport, who declined to give his name, said locals did not mind the foreign troop presence "as long as the money they pay goes to the budget and not into some people's pockets." Since December, coalition troops have pumped about $14 million into the local economy in payments for fuel, services and food, Essary said. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! 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