The new commander of Air Forces Central, Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, told airmen deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, that they are “fundamental and vital” to the AFCENT mission, from serving as the central transit facility and a major air refueling hub for operations in Southwest Asia. Hostage visited Manas for three days earlier this month. He also commended the airmen for their support of the Kyrgyz people, saying such work “is critical for our success here.” He added, “By reaching out, as the men and women of the Transit Center have done, specifically in the rebuilding of the Birdik School … that kind of good will pays tremendous dividends over time.” (Manas report by SSgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.