The US military has begun moving its Afghanistan air logistics base in Kyrgyzstan’s Manas Transit Center to a base in eastern Romania in preparation of a complete shift by July 2014.

The US military has begun moving its Afghanistan air logistics base in Kyrgyzstan’s Manas Transit Center to a base in eastern Romania in preparation of a complete shift by July 2014, when its contract to use the Kyrgyz base for the US-led Afghan operations comes to an end.

The announcement of the American transition from Manas to a new military air base in eastern Romania at forward operating site Mihail Kogalniceanu, followed a Friday visit to the US Defense Department by Romanian Defense Minister Mircea Dusa.

The US leased the Kyrgyz air base near the capital Bishkek for over a decade as part of logistics support for the US-led military operations in Afghanistan, in order to refuel airlift transports carrying cargo and troops.

The Romanian air base on the Black Sea has already been used by the US military since 1999 and according to a 2005 agreement, the American military has been granted access to several bases in European country for training, storage, and deployments.

In June, the Kyrgyz Parliament passed a bill that ended the US lease of Manas Transit Center.

The US base has been at the center of several scandals since its opening in 2001, including the fatal shooting of a local man by an American guard at a base checkpoint.

The killing was not prosecuted by Kyrgyzstan, as US Military personnel have legal immunity in the country. Critics also voiced concerns over environmental damage and potential threats from US enemies against the stronghold.