Vector brings tunes to Transit Center troops

Tech. Sgt. Paige Martin sings during the U.S. Air Forces Central Command band performance at Pete's Place at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, May 11, 2013. Martin is a vocalist with the band Vector, deployed from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. During their visit to the Transit Center, the band played three times at Pete's Place, as well as numerous smaller performances in various work centers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett)

Warrior of the Week

Staff Sgt. Tanya Thorne is an aerospace propulsion systems specialist with the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. She is deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and is a native of Pasco, Wash.

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

A flight suit is displayed in honor of Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III during a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Mackey was a 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator who perished in an aircraft accident on May 3, 2013. He was deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and was a native of Bakersfield Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, gives his final salute to the fallen crew members of Shell 77 after a memorial service held in their honor May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Creager, with tear-filled eyes, honored Capt. Mark "Tyler" Voss, Capt. Victoria "Tori" Pinckney, and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III, leaving challenge coins to be presented to their families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

More than 300 U.S. service members attended a memorial service held in honor of the fallen crew members of Shell 77 May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The three Airmen perished May 3, 2013, when their KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in, northern Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Tech. Sgt. Paige Martin, U.S. Air Forces Central Command band vocalist, sings "Amazing Grace" during a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The room filled with the voices of grieving U.S. troops as they sang along with Martin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Three flight suits and aircrew oxygen masks are displayed during a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Each suit bore the name of an Airman who perished in an aircraft accident on May 3, 2013. The crew members aboard were Capt. Mark "Tyler" Voss, Capt. Victoria "Tori" Pinckney, and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

A collage featuring Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III is displayed as Senior Airman Derik Melson shares memories with audience members during a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "Tre was the type of guy that had a smile that could light up a room," Melson said. Mackey was Melson's supervisor, friend and mentor. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Members from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard team carry photos of fallen crew members of Shell 77 during a memorial service held in their honor May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The three crew members perished May 3, 2013, when their KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in northern Kyrgyzstan. All three were deployed to the 376th AEW's 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Transit Center honors fallen heroes

Airmen from the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron bow their heads during a memorial service May 9, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. During the ceremony Airmen were able to share stories, honor and pay their respects to Capt. Mark "Tyler" Voss, Capt. Victoria "Tori" Pinckney, and Tech. Sgt. Herman "Tre" Mackey III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Local media explores Transit Center mission

A cameraman for NTS, a Kyrgyz television channel, films troops as they process through customs during a media visit April 30, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. In addition to mission aspects of the Transit Center, reporters toured the dining facility, chapel, dormitories, morale centers and fitness center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)

Local media explores Transit Center mission

Senior Airman Jessica Smith, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, demonstrates how the individual body armor vest works on a reporter for a local Kyrgyz outlet during a media visit April 30, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. As part of the tour of the Transit Center, media representatives were shown multiple aspects of the onward movement mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)

Now boarding: PAX terminal keeps troops moving onward

Tech. Sgt. Christian Capistrano, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, and Tech Sgt. Dina Pena-Hernandez 376 ELRS passenger counter supervisor, assist customers April 27, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Capistrano is deployed from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Pena-Hernandez is deployed from Homestead, Fla., and is a native of Boca Raton, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Now boarding: PAX terminal keeps troops moving onward

Senior Airman Matthew Hanning, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron baggage yard specialist, and Staff Sgt. Duane Pace, 376 ELRS baggage yard assistant supervisor, tighten a baggage net April 27, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "Because the Transit Center is a passenger movement location, our primary mission is to control inbound and outbound bags," said Pace. "A Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is a valuable tool, but without their gear and equipment, they are not as useful." (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Kyrgyz, U.S. EOD military exchange

Kyrgyz Republic explosive ordnance disposal team members control a bomb disposal robot during an EOD military exchange April 23, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. During a week-long military exchange, members from U.S. Armed Forces and Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Defense were able to exchange EOD knowledge and procedures. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Kyrgyz, U.S. EOD military exchange

Col. Akylbek Asanov, Ministry of Defense explosive ordnance disposal officer, holds a Kyrgyz blasting cap during an EOD military exchange April, 24, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Ministry of Defense EOD team members demonstrated to U.S. Armed Forces how they use the blasting cap to dispose of bombs and landmines. (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Kyrgyz, U.S. EOD military exchange

U.S. Armed Forces and Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Defense explosive ordnance disposal team members, work together to practice uncovering landmines during an EOD military exchange April, 24, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "We are developing a partnership with our host national counterparts," said Sgt. 1st Class James Garton, EOD Theater Security Cooperation event manager. "It's always a win when people can get together because we have so much to learn from one another." (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Kyrgyz, U.S. EOD military exchange

Senior Airman Kyle Osgood, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team member, and Sgt. Ulanbek Jidebaev, Ministry of Defense explosive ordnance disposal team member, uncover a training landmine during an EOD military exchange April, 24, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "I was able to assist in demonstrating our tools and equipment to our Kyrgyz counterparts," said Osgood. I've really enjoyed this experience; it's my first time working with a foreign military. The language barrier could have presented some difficulty but we are lucky to have such great interpreters." (U.S Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

22 EARS changes command

Lt. Col. James Mach, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander, speaks during his change of command ceremony April 23, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "I look forward to working for you as we execute our mission, fueling the fight, so that families at home know their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers receive the protection they deserve," said Mach. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

22 EARS changes command

Lt. Col. James Mach, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander, speaks during his change of command ceremony April 23, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "I look forward to working for you as we execute our mission, fueling the fight, so that families at home know their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers receive the protection they deserve," said Mach. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)

Soccer Diplomacy: Service members assist with local youth tournament

Trophies for the winning teams sit on a table during a youth soccer tournament April 20, 2013, in Nizhne-Chuysk Village, Kyrgyzstan. Service members from Transit Center at Manas helped host the event for teams from the local area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)

Soccer Diplomacy: Service members assist with local youth tournament

Kyrgyz children compete in a soccer game April 20, 2013, in Nizhne-Chuysk Village, Kyrgyzstan. The village hosted a six-team soccer tournament in honor of a long-time physical education teacher who recently passed away. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)

Soccer Diplomacy: Service members assist with local youth tournament

Col. Shirlene Ostrov, 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander, speaks to Kyrgyz soccer players prior to a youth soccer tournament April 20, 2013, in Nizhne-Chuysk Village, Kyrgyzstan. The 376 EMSG partners with the village on various outreach projects. (U.S. Air photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)

Earth Day is a reminder to conserve energy

Staff Sgt. Tyler Lynch, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron electrical power production craftsman, monitors energy usage at the power plant April 19, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Lynch is responsible for monitoring the power plant contract, ensuring standards are met and the Transit Center has reliable power. Lynch is deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and is a native of Rogers, Ark. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez)