During his two-day visit, he had the opportunity to peruse the collections of the State Museum of History and the Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan as well as to meet with military and civilian representatives of the Government of Uzbekistan.

Lt. Gen Hostage is Commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia, where he oversees air operations and develops contingency plans for an area covering 20 countries in South and Central Asia. General Hostage, a command pilot, has served with distinction as a pilot in combat operations, received extensive military education, and has been given numerous high honors for his service. He was previously Vice Commander of Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii.

During his visit to Uzbekistan, which is a key nation in his area of responsibility, General Hostage was able to meet with Uzbek and other international officials, and paid a visit to the Marine Detachment at post. The cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan is vital for the mission of both countries in combating terrorism and creating stability in the region.

He was also able to learn a fair amount about the history and art of Uzbekistan by visiting two prominent museums in the capital. After spending time in both museums, the general expressed his admiration for the collections and the rich traditions and history of Uzbekistan.