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)
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff touted his highly unusual background for the job as an asset and reaffirmed his commitment to stay apolitical during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 1.