Update: The discussion on this post has been closed and moved to a new thread. Click here to visit the new discussion thread.
Airforce Major Jill Metzger, stationed at Manas Air Base, was shopping in a Kyrgyzstan mall with friends when she disappeared.
From CNN:
(CNN) — A U.S. Air Force officer is missing after a trip to a shopping mall in Kyrgyzstan, a U.S. military statement said Wednesday.
Maj. Jill Metzger, with the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, was last seen shopping at the Zum Shopping Center with others from the Manas Air Base when she disappeared on Tuesday, the statement said.
“Major Metzger was last seen wearing a green sweater and blue jeans,” the statement said.
“She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is in excellent athletic condition.”
Military Web sites describe Metzger as a top-flight marathoner.
Both the Kyrgyz police and the US military are searching for her:
BISHKEK, September 6, 2006 (RFE/RL) — Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry and National Security Service say they have launched a joint operation to locate the U.S. air servicewoman who disappeared on September 5 in Bishkek.
The woman, who has been identified as Major Jill Metzger, is working at the U.S. Manas military air base, near Bishkek.
Manas air base public affairs officer Ann Carpenter told RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service that Metzger disappeared while shopping at Bishkek’s main department store (TsUM) with other U.S. base members.
“The [U.S.] 376th Air Expeditionary Wing base officials are working with the U.S. Embassy and local officials to locate the servicemember as soon as possible,” Carpenter added.
The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has issued pictures of a blonde woman as part of the search operation.
Let’s hope she’s found quickly.
Update: Maj. Metzger was supposed to return home on Thursday and went to the mall to buy souvenirs for her family.
Update II: We’re thrilled that everyone here is having a great time commenting, but since we’re approaching 1400 comments, we would love it if everyone could continue the thread here.
Update: The discussion on this post has been closed and moved to a new thread. Click here to visit the new discussion thread.
RS…No sweat! At first, I was a little hesitant to put his name on a blog (I’m new at this and don’t totally undersatnd the rules), but I checked the Moody website and his picture and bio are listed so what the heck, right? 🙂
Okay, I do have real work to do, but some more interesting things…first…Maj Metzger flew directly back to Moody. That is unusual. Not sure it means anything, but it’s unusual. In three trips to SWA, I only flew directly back to Moody when I was traveling with my entire squadron, not as a singleton. Again, not sure if that means anything, but it might. At this point, here’s what I’d surmize…Maj Metzger’s story isn’t totally accurate, the leadership knows it and they will deal with it, but first and foremost, they want to make sure she’s okay. Once they’ve determined the time is right, they’ll handle whatever truly happened in the appropriate fashion. What that means to this blog is that things will most likely be quite for a little while on the news front. Just my guess.
mb: Are you a lesbian? Can’t help but wonder why you keep quoting me but not others on this board. I find you fascinated with me and it is concerning. There is no vindictive here. Seems a lot of folks are trying to figure out what the truth is, as they are entitled to. Does that make all of us vindictive. Reading body language is a huge part of investigative procedures – just in case you were not aware of that.
So, perhaps you have something better to do than defending someone who refused to provide any explanation for what has happened when she most certainly owes that to her country at this point – now YOU defending her and bashing everyone else posting theories leaves me to question YOUR CHARACTER for standing by the bomb in pocket theory??? Did you believe those two planes that flew into our twin towers? If so, why? You never witnessed it, even though videos show it, why say terrorists flew our planes into those buildings?? Why assume Bin Laden was involved, we have no REAL evidence…..I guess you believe that did not happen either….
Okay…one more post (smile)…Deb G, There may be some in the USAF who would try and cover this situation (unfortunately, I must admit I’ve seen it at least attempted). In this case, however, OSI Agent or not, Lt Col(ret) or not, the fact remains, the Wing leadership at Moody is all about doing the right thing. Justice will be served. I would bet my life on them. In fact, in a way, in the past, I have.
That is a large bag she is carrying. Enough room to pack some hair dye, change of clothes, even some food….she was prepared…how would anyone put a bomb in her back pocket when that bag covers her back pockets….
SR6: Thanks for the info. In time, the facts will come out….I have seen a few cover-ups at USASOC at Bragg….hope it does not happen here…
Again, Deb G., you’ve illustrated my point with a personal attack using wild accusations and name calling. You have no idea who I am, nor what I have done and now do in my professional life, yet you assume I don’t understand body language, investigative procedure, military issues, etc. Investigators are supposed to be impartial and follow investigative leads as the “facts” dictate, without making a value judgement on the person being investigated. I’m fascinated with you because you are one of, if not THE, most vocal people on this board and definitely rank right up there with the most negative.
SR6, As a fellow AF airman (not sure if you are an officer or not), I would never ask you to post something you shouldn’t post. I knew I could probably get the info myself but I was being lazy…sorry.
Although I have seen our system fail many times, I have also seen it work. I do believe in the system, and hope that in this case it will work as it should…gosh I wish I was stationed in Moody right now 🙂
Please keep us up to date with what is going on there. I know that a lot of us here are very passionate about our opinions, but the bottom line is that we all (I think) want to know what really happened; and if Jill was at fault see her pay. I for one hate when Officers get away with crimes while the Enlisted don’t (I’m an officer)…I sure hope that is not the case here. Thanks again for the info.
mb: excuse my lack of respect for you, but I don’t care what you do nor do I respect your constant postings against myself and others defending someone who most obviously has done wrong to her country and to a trust of fellow officers.
I am hardly a negative person. I am stating facts, thoughts and opinions, theories and so on, oh yes, like everyone else….this has nothing to do with being negative. The only person negative here is your attitude and Jill’s inability to offer an explanation and ability to attack another country’s integrity with a false abduction story, that, my friend is pretty negative stuff….
mb: I have not name called nor made accusations….other than what I see, those are facts, not accusations. I asked you a question – not name called. I also don’t think asking if you are lesbian is name calling…I have seen some rather wild and insulting posts against Jill here, none by myself…you are falsely accusing…
You have some problems….pick pick pick, badger badger badger…..kind of funny….
Deb G, no problemo! I totally understand where you’re coming from, I just wanted you to know that current Moody leaders won’t go for a cover up of any kind.
Okay, since I’m procrastinating so badly, I would like to express a few other things. First, I’ve thought many times this week about writing to this blog, but didn’t until tonight. I’m not sure why I didn’t until now, but what I do know is that I’m truly intrigued by how intrigued by all this I am. What I will say is that after reading all the inputs and writing a few of my own, I have a better idea why I’ve been following this incident in general and this blog specifically. First, I will admit, the fact that she’s a talented and attractive officer sparks interest. Yep, I’m guilty…there’s a little Jerry Springer even in me. Second, as an AF officer, I’m concerned my Air Force doesn’t totally understand what real expeditionary life is like. I don’t mean to belittle anyone’s contribution, but Kyrgyzstan isn’t Iraq when it comes to safety and force protection. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m a little distraught when I see AF members complaining about 120 days in Qatar and Kyrgyzstan when I know other airmen who are doing a LOT more time in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Add in the crazy OPTEMPO the Army and USMC are facing and I get even more concerned about how we (the USAF) portray expeditionary life. Third and finally, I REALLY hate it when a fellow officer makes us all look bad. I am NOT saying I know this to be true in the Maj Metzger case, but as I said in my first post, something isn’t quite right with her story and given my experience in the USAF, I’m just afraid it’s going to be another bad news story. I know that’s not fair to Maj Metzger so I wil leave it at that and just have faith that the right thing will happen in the end.
RS, glad I could help. Just getting to know the world of the blog and I must admit it is fun. 🙂 Just so you know, I too am an officer, but with regards to keeping everyone up to date about Moody…I’m not there anymore, but I do have friends still there so I guess I could call. 🙂
SR6 was that post for me or Deb G. I guess we are so use to the post being for her we all get confused…lol
Deb G…love your posts, just wish people would stop attacking you. Maybe that way we could concentrate more on the Major.
Anyway, here’s a link for local Valdosta news. I guess the Air Force is hoping to release and investigation report soon…can’t wait.
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=5410733&nav=menu37_3
Download the full picture from the AF Link site…
http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/060914-F-0451J-202.jpg
Now in your browser, enlarge it fully.
Look at the corner of her eye and just below it. You should see swelling and yellow bruising. Folks using real image software can probably get an even better view.
SR6: Great post. Yes, we are all intrigued. I am not even sure why, just because noone is saying anything makes it all that more well, intriguing…I also feel foolish because I believed she was kidnapped – until the bomb in pocket follow instruction story…lost me at that point and I felt betrayed for believing it.
RS: I agree! Dang, I am sick of seeing Deb G. this and Deb G. that yack yack yack…..just trying to understand and figure this puzzle out just as much as the rest of the WORLD is….
Ok, not being negative, however, in a desperate attempt to make the military believe her story, she could have made her own eye bruised. I have seen this done before, even captured on video of the person doing this to oneself. Her hair though, she has a VERY nice haircut. It is NOT shaved and is actually STYLED…..ludicrous
Also, notice noone is looking at her, noone. Notice her mother’s arm and lack of affection or emotion giving her those flowers…..something is NOT right here. They are not treating her as an abducted woman coming home – there is a lack of affection going on in this photo….
Deb G, that is the same thing I thought about her hair..it is styled! I’m sure the abductors didn’t style her hair. I have also been in Landshtul (not sure how to spell it), and I don’t think there is a beauty shop there.
——————–Brad P——————–
Just downloaded and opened in Photoshop… The first thing I looked at was not the eye, nor the Major, nor Mom & Pop…
I don’t think that “Jack and Jill” will be going up any hills in the near or distant future..
I’m sorry, I’m no analyst, but what I see in that guy’s face isn’t joy and relief to have his bride back.
Man I really feel sorry for him.. if anyone is having to endure a tough time… he is. (That is of course, if all this ‘speculation’ turns out to have some credence)
RS: I have been to Landshtul too and I don’t recall any styling shops. Perhaps they cleaned up her hair upon arrival there, who knows, but it is not shaven. What I notice the most is how sullen and frustrated and not very happy her family looks, her mother’s face, lack of affection in her arm when giving her daugther flowers upon arrival, like she does not want to really touch her. I can guarantee FBI, CIA, military, etc…are evaluating these photos…..
RS, I’ve never been to Landstuhl so I’m not sure if there is a beauty shop there, but it’s only like 10 KM from Ramstein AB and there is DEFINITELY a beauty shop there. Further, Landstuhl is part of the KMC (Kaiserslautern Military Complex) which is effectionaly referred to as “Little America.” 🙂 Bottom line, it is possible she got her hair styled there. Not saying she did, just saying its possible.
Deb G, to me the lack of affection may or may not be telling, after all it’s just a snapshot in time. Now, add that in with other factors (e.g. how silent her husband and his family have suddenly become) and you might have something. What may also be telling is the lack of any Wing represenatives in the picture. Again, may be nothing, but I can’t help but consider it as part of the circumstantial evidence collection.
Husband and father are looking to their right. She has earplugs still in. BDU’s are apparent on the edge of the photo – a hand is in a relaxed motioning/guiding position. Probably speaking and getting attention of Type A individuals to gain crowd acceptance. Looks like everyone is being moved. Mom and Jill are still preoccupied. Person to the right is perpendicular. Controlling or a guide.
Simple enough, the crowd is being guided and all are in a period of transition from the plane to a vehicle. Seems very likely since you see the aircraft guidelines or aircraft ground equipment location markers on the tarmac at their feet. I wouldn’t read very much into a photo that was probably taken moments after de-planing. Everyone is mentally busy and not in naturally relaxed positions – don’t read personal reactions into this one.
SR6: You’re on it. I did not even think about lack of Wing in the pic.
b: not to negate your opinion, but that to me makes it even worse. If she just de-planed then her family would certainly be smiling and hugging and such upon her arrival. It would be a normal reaction. The lack of all this is suspicious of a much deeper situation than an abduction.
Gosh, this blog has me fixated and curious….
RS,
Yes, I know that there is a beauty shop in Ramstein and I’m sure there are plenty in Kaiserslautern, I’m really familiar with the area. However, with all the debriefings, how would she have time? I feel that the dad is the only one showing affection, but I don’t think we can come up to many conclusions from this. Who knows what was going at that particular moment (that one second). Everyone being quite though, says something…
SR6, my last blog was intended for you. It wasn’t from me to me…..lol. I’m not that desperate….addicted to this blog YES, but not desperate 🙂
RS,
Sorry about that. Wasn’t sure if you’d been to USAFE or not. My bad! 🙂 It’s just that since Landstuhl is an Army hospital, I’ve run across a few USAF types who didn’t realize it was so close to Ramstein AB (I didn’t know that myself until I was TDY to Ramstein). Regardless, point taken…highly unlikely she had time to get to Ramstein to get her hair done. Ahhh, who knows.
b, Also point taken. You may be right, but I gotta admit, I’m with Deb G on this one. First, if there was an affectionate moment, the PA folks would’ve gotten it and used that pic instead. When I returned after my second trip to Iraq, PA took a picture of me and you couldn’t tell who I was because my wife was hugging me so tight.
Deb G, I’m with you. I too am fixated on this. Is it really my business? No, but geez I want to know what REALLY happened. Kinda like the second gunman on the grassy knoll. 🙂
SR6: LOL. I hear ya! The folks I work with at Bragg are fixated on this too. Gosh, you should hear some of the theories and some of the disgust of this situation. Yes, coming from fellow Officers….If she is not telling the truth, this is going to make the military look bad – very bad.
SR6 and Deb, I totally understand about the picture, and no one from the Wing being there really makes you think. Where were they anyway??????
RS: LOL, at first I thought you were talking to yourself….
Deb G, If it turns out she wan’t truthful, there will be hell to pay on many levels. That said, if you think this is going to make the MILITARY look bad, try being in the USAF. We’re going to take crap for this for YEARS to come! 🙂
RS: Perhaps Wing is getting ready for media and punishment mode….coming down on the truth and did not feel it appropriate to offer a cozy, snuggly homecoming before they punish….
That would be like shaking your hand before shoving the knife in….
Deb G, I think you’ve identified what you Army types refer to as the most likely course of action. 🙂
SR6: Yes, unfortunate, but guilty by association. Hopefully, for this kind of situation, maybe it will not effect all of the USAF, but realize it for what it is, an individual mistake….If her fellow comrades, the ones who went to the mall with her KNEW or were involved, then that is just one more problem for the AF…..having been born and raised Army, in the Army, Army family, etc…I don’t associate by guilt. It is NOT fair to the honorable ones…..
————SR6————–
Ever since I left Central Asia, specifically Bishkek, I have been going to Google at LEAST 3 times a week and going to Google News… I was floored when I read it.
Not only because of the whacked report, but because I knew the store, the city, the bus station, Ganci, etc.. Everything that was being described –
But, to your point.. YOU WOULD BE AMAZED how many people from all over the world are following this for one reason or another…
Like all of you ‘die-hards’ … I haven’t bought Maj. Jill Metzger’s abduction story from the beginning. That is what makes it so captivating for me, and at the same time.. I have this hollow feeling inside, that despite how things are all ‘fallling into place’, we may never really get the truth.
SR6: Exactly……..
Gogi:
Hi Gogi, it is nice that you are here. That particular clinic, I mentioned, is in a few minutes of walking distance from Togolok-Moldo Kievskaya? Intersection of Kievskaya-What street was that? I got treated there a few years ago.
Haven’t been living in Bishkek for a while, started to forget street names.
Regarding that TV news, I have asked for further info from the kyrgyz lad, who mentioned it, via email. Let’s see if he comes back to me with something more specific, which TV station was that. Until then, hold the horses.
Gogi, I am just big fan of Russian “What, where, when” TV program, if you know what I mean. Just like to reverse engineer reality. But I mentioned earlier, I am not Shelock Holmes, my deduction might be wrong.
About Kyrgyz folks being friendly, interesting thing.
The Russian internet forums were in mostly jocular mood about Jill’s getting kidnapped. They expected her a) having an affair with Kyrgyz lad, riding horses on mountains (this happened few years ago with French woman, everyone thought she was kidnapped first) b) Smoking Chuy valley pot
When I was visiting Moscow few years ago, lads in passage way approached me asking if I could sell Chuy valley pot to them, seeing my asiatic appearance. Funny, that not everyone in Moscow knows where’s the heck Kyrgyzstan is, but everyone knows Chuy valley.
Weird stuff, why not they presume that I would be of other Asian stock, say Buryat, Kalmyk, Chukcha or whatever. No, Russian lads in Moscow recognize unfailingly in me ethnic Kyrgyz or Kazakh and ask for Chuy valley pot.
Wizbanger, Folks around the world are really clamoring for more information? Any idea why? What are they saying? I hadn’t considered that. I guess because of the total lack of reporting in the States, this had died elsewhere as well.
Another rather odd point to consider….there is very little media coverage. You gotta really dig to find anything. Heck if it weren’t for this blog (which I am now officially addicted to) I wouldn’t know anything! 🙂
Quote regarding intel: We cannot predict the future, but we can guess. And we do every time we brief the enemy’s most likely or probable COA.
Now, not saying Jill is the enemy, but we can GUESS at what MIGHT have happened and the bomb in pocket is certainly NOT my guess…..
SR6: The media usually has situations like this completely mapped out, detailed, where she was, who took her, (which they actually did start to do immediately following the kidnap theory because they were tracking her cell phone and where she was found) etc…like you said, nothing…
To b
Your conclusion on the photo is correct. Not reliable because any of the scenarios given could realisticly cause the same reactions among all parties…..
While no one has mentioned rape, it is always an underlying perception when allegations of abduction/kidnapping are made…..Husbands and Fathers often face serious difficulties in relating to the victim….anger, fear, self-doubt, self-hate, on and on….Not to mention the horror for the victim
I don’t believe a word of the Major’s story, but will give the evidence its proper weight.
To everyone who is guilty, and you should know who you are, STOP GETTING PERSONAL…For the number of people claiming military experience, certainly officers, military courtesy seems sporadic at times
Just a tiny correction for those of you zooming in on the “homecoming” photo. The old guy with his arm on Jill’s shoulder is NOT her Dad. That must be her step-dad, the retired OSI agent (just a guess). Her dad is behind him on the right.
Pretty small gal to be gobsmacking a kidnapper and running to freedom.
Do you think she’ll be allowed to run in the AF marathon?????
All supposition aside, there’s only one person that knows exactly what happened last week and so far, she’s not talking. In the picture, she has obvious old bruising–probably a week or so old, judging by how yellow it is. Yes her hair is somewhat styled–but we can only see one side of it now and I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities that she had time to get it fixed. Also, her husband and father in law seem to be looking in the same direction, towards the BDUs at the left of the photo. I also was in ROTC with her for a brief time and I honestly don’t think she is, shall we say, imaginative enough to come up with something like this. Hopefully there will be a news release explaining it more thoroughly because I know I still have some questions but overall, I’m glad her family has her back.
VR, if she HAS fabricated this and the AF allows her to run in the marathon…. I’ll let it go with 2 comments:
sometimes JUSTICE is spelled JUST US…
and double standard = anger = loss of morale = loss of discipline = more casualities
Thanks in particular to Kuba Kyrgyz and Gogi for their contributions. It’s amazing to be able to get info from “the scene of the crime”, keep it all coming. I love being able to see the video surveillance image noted above. I, too, was struck with the size of her shoulder bag. Why would you bring a gigantic bag like that SHOPPING? She had stuff in there that went beyond her AF ID and some souvenir money. And who’s that waiting for her just outside the store??? Why– I do believe it’s SANTA CLAUS! Now we know why she felt so comfy leaving the store on her own, without alerting her fellow airmen!
If she did fabricate this and the do let her run the marathon, that would be a recipe for a really uncomfortable situation. Can you imagine…recently returned form “abduction” AF Major finishes as #1 military female (her finish last year). Youch…the press would have a field day and keep digging until they had the “facts”. Not a pretty sight for anyone involved.
Just wanted to say thanks to those of you providing humor and insight. I enjoy reading these posts! I admit, I am addicted to figuring this out and hope the truth comes out soon so I can get some sleep – 4:30 a.m. comes around way too quickly!!!
———SR6—————
Clamoring? Strong word… I’d say Shadenfreude..
But, that’s why I believe it’s going to be important to ‘do the right thing’. I really hope that this guy Callahan will do it.. that is, get to the bottom of it.
China, Russia, Uzbekistan, and others don’t want us there. Kyrgyzstan ‘extended the lease’, and the ink wasn’t even dry yet, and along comes Happy Hanna claiming abduction.
1. American abduction in Bishket
2. American MILITARY abduction
3. American Female Military Abduction.
The Kyrgyz Government doesn’t really need THAT, and certainly doesn’t need the US Military ‘abducting’ prime suspect Happy Hanna, thus tying their hands in the investigation.
I can imagine that all the other ‘stans’ are looking at this as a political victory of sorts… when they start telling Kyrgyzstan… I Told ya’ so….
Kuba,
The clinic is on Kievskaya – Logvinenko, one block (250m) to the east of Kievskaya-Togolok Moldo intersection.
Wizbanger: Totally agreed! I don’t think some folks understand the total impact this is going to have against the US if she is lying.
Not to be negative, but the abortion theory sounds like a possibility. She was there for 4 months. Gets pregnant possibly after 1 or 2 months there and the time line would be perfect for an abortion possibility.
Deb G——————
What good are ya’ gonna be in any ‘foxhole’ if ya’ don’t get your sleep..
(Sung to the music of Pink Floyd – The Wall)