Closing Up Shop at Manas

The 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron inactivated its radar air traffic control liaison positions after 10 years of sequencing and separating aircraft at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, announced Air Force officials. The inactivation took place Jan. 31 at the Transit Center at Manas, according to a Feb. 4 release. “This marks the beginning of the drawdown of the EOSS,” said Lt. Col. Anthony Salvatore, 376th EOSS commander. “There will be some elements that will continue on as the base closes but with operations slowing down, the support function goes away.” The radar air traffic control liaisons provided weather and runway information to incoming aircraft. The inactivation is just one part of the entire Transit Center departing Manas, states the release. According to the Kyrgyz government, the lease of the land expires July 11, 2014. (See also Kyrgyzstan Votes to Close Manas in 2014)