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This site has little in the way of technical information on Kunsan AB's tactical planning, weekly exercises, or technical specifications on the aircraft. Our position is that Kunsan AB has been promising to "kick ass" for over thirty years and not a speck of bomb iron has hit North Korean soil yet. These tactical plans change from week to week, if not daily, but the point is: NO ONE from Kunsan has dropped a bomb on North Korea or shot a MiG from the sky. All the plans are simply plans -- not reality. HOWEVER, the hard work and ability of the airmen to carry out the war game planning in the face of a hardship tour speaks loads of their caliber and dedication. The PEOPLE is what we want to cover -- not the GAME. The second item we wish to cover is the base which has served the airmen -- who served the mission. Over the years, organizations have come and gone from the face of Kunsan AB -- but the base has always remained to serve. The third item covers those Korean events that affect the life of the airmen or mission at Kunsan. This ranges from main gate protests to the ever-mounting efforts of Korea to wean itself away from American military dependency.

HOW IT WAS! KUNSAN AIRBASE 8TH FIGHTER WING (2000)

• Quality of Life Issues -- Dormitories, facilities, Airman Magazine Article
• A Tale of Buckling Up -- Off-base Accident
• Flooding at Kunsan AB -- Kunsan AB floods, but really not as bad as times in the past.
• Decal Scandal -- Pass and ID civilian found to be selling base IDs to unauthorized Koreans so they can access the Food Court, Golf Course, and Slot Machines
• Honoring Kunsan's Medal of Honor Winner -- 8th Attack Association presents plaque to honor Capt. Charles Wamsley who flew his last mission from Kunsan (K-8). Presented by Commander ROKAF 38th FG to 8th Wing Commander. 38th FG ROKAF Letter of Appreciation to Korean War vets.
• Main Gate Demonstrations -- Main Gate Protests center around land use -- using Airport issues as an excuse.
• 8th Wing Operations Center -- Scott Mounger's tour
• New Block-40 F-16s Arrive -- Lantirn night-flying capabilities.
• Foal Eagle 2000 -- Base defense exercise. Old scoffers wonder about the reality of the training.
• SOFA Negotiations -- Amidst cries of SOFA being "unjust," Koreans told to increase their share. Koreans have an unrealistic world view of trying to get something for nothing.
• Hope for Peace -- Kim Dae-jung awarded Nobel Peace Prize in October 2000, but his "Sunshine Policy" is in trouble.
• U.S. Military at Odds with Sunshing Policy -- President Bush has killed the Clinton administration's "give-away" policies dealing with North Korea and started a "get-tough" stance.
• Downsizing & Mission Impacts -- Decentralizing, Clinton administration gutting of the military starts to show.
• Are the Follow-ons Ready? -- Disturbing reports that many of the Reserve/National Guard units are understrength, ill-equipped and not ready to fight.
• Biological Warfare Threat -- SOFA Dependents issued hoods, but Koreans not worried

Acknowledgement: Thanks to HQ PACAF History Office for their source materials. Another excellent site used to trace the history of the 8th Fighter Wing is 8FW Lineage of the Air University.

2000:

Wing Commander: Col. Gary L. North (May 1999 - May 2000) (Later Lt. Gen.)
Wing Commander: Col. Philip M. Breedlove (May 2000 - May 2001) (Later Maj. Gen)

Quality of Life Issues:

The new 1X1 barracks facilities feature separate rooms with a shared kitchen/bathroom space. In May 2000, the first two units were opened and the other two units were to be completed before the end of 2000. These new facilities enabled the Commander to effectively move all of the unmarried troops on base without doubling them up in cramped spaces. A frequent complaint in the past had been that federal laws mandated more space for pigs than they allowed for airmen at Kunsan. These barracks fell under the "Quality of Life" category that was being promoted throughout Korea in order to improve the DoD retention rates.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on New Barracks

The buildings were constructed by the Daeho Construction Company under "CY96ROKFC, MLWR96-3054, Construction Enlisted Dormitory(100+11PN), Kunsan Air Base, Korea" and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in June 2000.

New 1x1 Barracks
(Courtesy Kalani O'Sullivan)

However, the unmentioned impetus was to move the unmarried military back onto base to provide better control of the forces. For over fifty years, commanders have been trying to figure how to keep their troops on base where they are available for instant response. With GIs "lost" downtown" overnight, the commanders had no control. (NOTE: The commanders still hadn't figured out how to keep the troops near the base on the weekends when they headed off for Seoul or Osan in droves because Kunsan was such a boring town.)

With the opening of the new barracks, the commanders finally had a way to control their personnel by having them all on base. The catchphrase was "fostering group integrity." This had been a problem since 1958 when Col (later Maj. Gen.) John Moench took command of the 6175th Air Base Group at Kunsan. He related in his book "Taking Command" how his personnel were downtown at night and inaccessible in case of an emergency.

Also in the past, there was always inadequate barracks space and it was "traditional" for providing NCOs the option of living downtown. Because renting a room off-base was very cheap, an NCO could make his "beer" money with the excess from his BAS/BAQ. However, with the ever-rising Korean cost of living and other factors, living downtown was no longer a bargain -- and one lost money living on the economy. In addition, though not widely publicized, the slow reduction in manning at Kunsan had made it feasible for all the forces to be housed on base -- though rather uncomfortably in some cases with airmen/NCOs doubling up in room. There were about 2000 less GIs at Kunsan than there were ten years ago.

Older Renovated Airmen Billets (1000 Area) Fitness Center in the center (Courtesy Kalani O'Sullivan)

Sports and Fitness Center Bldg 1054 (Air Force Photo)

Enlisted Dormitory Quarters 600 area (Air Force Photo)

Army Corps of Engineers Bldg 753 (Air Force Photo)

Junior Officers Quarters 300 area (Air Force Photo)

Airmen and NCO Quarters 1400 Area (Air Force Photo)

Kitchen area in Bldg 1408
(Courtesy Scott Mounger )

Panoramic view with OMalley Dining Inn on the left
and 1400 area dormitories on the right (18 Dec 99)
(Courtesy Texas Rogue )
Visit the The Texas Rogue Homepage
for interior photos of older 1400 area dormitories.

The following was excerpted from Air Force Crossroads . Some of this information -- such as "doubling up" warnings -- became outdated with the opening of the new 1X1 barracks:

Government Housing

Housing units at Kunsan range from 5 to 40 years old. Consequently, the Wolf Pack Housing Office is in the process of "making it better." Many renovations are on-going or are scheduled for the near future. A new dorm has recently been completed and more dorms are scheduled for construction in the next few years. New arrivals are asked for their patience and a willing "self-help" attitude. We strive for unit integrity when housing personnel in the grades of E-6 and below; however, circumstances may arise where personnel may be housed away from their respective units for a short period of time. Quarters are assigned as follows: officers and senior NCOs are handled by the housing office; housing for enlisted members in grades E-6 and below are handled by the individual's unit dorm manager; pilots are handled by the flying squadron's appointed dorm manager. All quarters are furnished.

AIRMAN BASICS through TECHNICAL SERGEANT -- shared bathroom, roommates for E-4s and below and some E5s. ADVISEMENT TO SSGTS IS NOT BRING A LOT OF STUFF SO AS NOT TO BECOME TOO CROWDED IN CASE YOU HAVE TO BE DOUBLED UP. **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: AB / TSgt no wait/move directly into room

MASTER SERGEANT -- private room, microware and private bathroom **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: MSgt 2 months -- will either stay in unit dorm or in Lodging temporarily

SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT and CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT -- private rooms (living room microwave and private bathroom **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: SMSgt / CMSgt no wait/move directly into room

LIEUTENANT -- private room, private bathroom, cooking facilities **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: LT 1 - 5 weeks -- will stay in Lodging temporarily

CAPTAIN -- private rooms(living room and bedroom), private bathroom, and kitchen **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: Capt 1 - 6 weeks -- will stay in Lodging temporarily

MAJOR AND LIEUTANT COLONEL -- "condo", separate living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: Maj / Lt Col CE6

COLONELS and certain LIEUTENANT COLONELS -- house on "Gunsmoke Hill", two bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom. **APPROXIMATED WAITING TIME FOR ROOMS: Col no wait -- move directly into house on "Gunsmoke Hill" ** ALL COMMANDERS HAVE DESIGNATED QUARTERS.

THERE WILL BE ON WAIT HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES: Housekeeping services are available in all quarters: Services include laundry, ironing,shoe-shining, room cleaning, bed-making, trash-emptying, and linen-exchanging service. Payment to domestic workers is made twice monthly. A list of costs by types of quarters is available through the billeting office and dorm managers.

Airmen-NCO-Sr NCO Quarters Floor Plan (Click on Plan to Enlarge)

CMSgt-Junior Officer Quarters Floor Plan (Click on Plan to Enlarge)

The base units continued to be the recipients of numerous awards as the "Best" of everything. At the forefront was the Services Squadron in their programs to support the troops. Truely there was a lot of pride amongst the troops who had done a lot of work to improve the living conditions on the base. From someone who had been around Kunsan for years, I can say the changes were visible and tangible...not eye-wash as so many "improvements" of the past.

Living Room in Billets (From R.J. Cupper ) (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Room in Billets (From R.J. Cupper ) (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

The end result was that Kunsan earned the Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence Award for 2000. In an March 31, 2000 article entitled, PACAF Sweeps Three Coveted Air Force Awards , it stated:

"Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, was this year's winner of the Installation Excellence award. Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, each won their category of the Hennessy competition, which recognizes the two best food services programs in the Air Force."

"Kunsan's achievement is especially notable because of the base's daunting challenges--an aging infrastructure and meeting the needs of a continuously changing population of people on a one-year remote assignment. The award marks PACAF's second consecutive win, Hickam having won the trophy last year. Prior to that, PACAF wins were few and far between, with Elmendorf winning in 1994 and Kadena in 1985."

"The installation excellence award recognizes the outstanding efforts of the people who operate and maintain Air Force installations and who have done the best with their resources to support the mission. It also recognizes commanders and supervisors who create an environment that promotes innovative and creative ways of enhancing base-level services, facilities, and quality of life. The award places significant value on a special winning attitude."

"Some of the key projects Kunsan accomplished last year were highlighted by the fact that they are currently executing a multi-year construction program, which includes in excess of $100 million in facility upgrades and they have another $150 million programmed. They removed more than 38 inefficient facilities saving more than $1.2 million in operations and energy. They improved their security forces central security control facility and revamped the base entry gates to improve security at a base located in the middle of what Secretary of State Madeline Albright called one of the most dangerous areas in the world. They improved work facilities for many agencies on base to include supply, medical, airfield, weather, fuels, chapel, library, dorm, family support, and education facilities."

"In addition to the trophy, Kunsan will receive $1 million, which they will use for quality of life improvements."

Kunsan AB BX (2000) (Click on Photo to Enlarge) (Courtesy Kalani O'Sullivan)

Kunsan AB Food Court (2000) (Click on Photo to Enlarge) (Courtesy Kalani O'Sullivan)

The following is an article from Airman Magazine in June 2000 by SSgt Cindy York:

Monument in Eunpa Resort Park near Kunsan AB
(USAF Photo)

Got orders to the Wolf Pack? Then get ready. Because a tour at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea — “the Kun” to those who've been there — will be both challenging and rewarding.

“It will be the best professional year of your life,” said Col. Gary North, the 8th Fighter Wing commander. He said it will be an experience like no other in the Air Force.

Expect to do a lot in that year. Lots of training and exercises — and yes, lots of time in your chemical gear and gas mask. But there's also time to travel, go shopping, meet the Korean people and everything in between.

It'll be a year to remember, that's for sure.

“The Wolf Pack fosters an atmosphere that allows people to become experts at their jobs,” he said. “People here are very proud of what they do.”

Colonel North said he's never been at a base where everyone, from the youngest airman up, is on the “same sheet of music.”

“Everyone pulls together here,” he said. “It's a joy to watch.”

Troy Drasher loading Bombs
(USAF Photo)

The camaraderie at Kunsan is strikingly obvious, even after being there for just one day. There's good reason for that. Life revolves around the fighter base's no-nonsense, dynamic and highly visible mission, its creed, really: Defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north.

That's pretty easy to understand, given where the base is located. It's on the shores of the Yellow Sea, on South Korea's west coast, some eight miles from Kunsan City. The city has about 280,000 residents. It's some 150 miles southwest of the country's capital, Seoul.

And it's only about a 15-minute jet flight from North Korea.

By the time an airman inprocesses at the base, he or she might have flashbacks. For learning the three parts of Kunsan's mission statement is just as important as it was to learn the reporting statement back in basic training.

The mission is simple, and the wing commander — nicknamed “Wolf” — knows he can count on Wolf Pack troops to understand the importance of their jobs. With the North Korean threat just a few minutes away by Scud missile, it's key to know why they have to keep their “game faces” on.

That's the reason for all the exercises, said Staff Sgt. Christopher Mozingo, a civil engineering readiness troop. Each newcomer goes through the “ATSO”- ability to survive and operate — machine. The theater-specific training is paramount to carrying out Kunsan's creed.

“We train a lot to ensure people won't freak out if we have to do our job for real,” he said. “In the States, people prepare to get here. We're here. So we must be ready for war every single day.”

That makes the work life at Kunsan intense, to say the least. Some people count the days on their “short calendars” until they leave.

Others make every day count. They make the best of their on- and off-duty time.

Life at the Kun The off-duty time and base life is getting better all the time.

In March, Kunsan got word that it had won the Air Force installation excellence award for being the best base in the Air Force.

The men and women of the Wolf Pack have shown that a “forward base” can achieve installation excellence, said Gen. Patrick Gamble, a former “Wolf” who now commands Pacific Air Forces. “In fact, it's an integral part of their mission readiness.”

The base is on a roll. The services squadron won the Eubanks Award for being the best in the Air Force. That's a first for a remote base. Plus, its civil engineer squadron is the best in the command for small units.

“We're a ‘hooah' base,” said Chief Master Sgt. Tony Martinez, the wing command chief master sergeant. “Everyone here pulls together. It's one team, one fight.” A lot of new construction to replace the base's ancient infrastructure is on- going, too. In the next few years, the base will undergo a $250 million facelift.

The fitness center is a busy place. More than 400 people go there each day. No wonder, it just got a $4.3 million expansion.

Chaplain Stephen Booth at Sonlight Inn
(USAF Photo)

The library has more than 26,000 books, several thousand videos and compact discs, Internet and e-mail services. It stays open longer than any other library in Pacific Air Forces.

Another busy place is the bowling center — it's packed on league nights. Mardi Nichols manages the center. Since he arrived in 1998, business has jumped 70 percent. The center's programs, and friendly staff, make it a great place to have a good time, or relax.

“While they're here, we want people to feel at home as much as possible,” he said. Kunsan's nine-hole golf course, which can get a bit windy when a stiff breeze blows off the Yellow Sea, attracts plenty of “duffers.” The course's new clubhouse opened this month.

For eats, there are two main places to go. The O'Malley Dining Facility offers a varied cuisine. And it just got a $3.6 million facelift.

And for a change of taste, the Loring Consolidated Club offers American and Korean dishes. The club staff continues to make improvements driven by customer initiatives. And they claim it's “the social gathering place.”

Others might argue that the Sonlight Inn gives the club a run for its money. Sponsored by the base chapel staff, it draws a share of the Friday night crowd by offering free home-cooked meals. Each week, a different squadron volunteers to cook.

Chaplain (Maj.) Stephen R. Booth, the wing chaplain, said the inn is just one place that strives to make Kunsan a home away from home.

“People here are very generous,” he said. “We have numerous innkeepers, or volunteers, who help keep the place clean and orderly so it's a nice place to visit.” Chaplain Booth, who has racked up nearly 10 years of duty in South Korea as a missionary and military priest, said the Sonlight offers people a choice. It's not a “religious” facility.

It's a quiet place where people can read a book, watch a movie, meet with people or cook themselves a meal. And it's smoke- and alcohol-free. In Kunsan City, base troops can also take a break at “The Haven,” a church which offers services and activities during the week and weekends.

Both are great alternatives to the nightclub scene found in the off-base “A-Town.” That's American Town, a few miles outside the main gate. There are stores, shops, restaurants and bars and dance clubs there. The security forces' 13-member Town Patrol walks the A-Town streets and alleyways. The patrol is there to provide “preventive maintenance,” said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Mastantuono.

“We want to prevent things before they happen,” he said. “If someone has partied too much, maybe had one too many, we put 'em on the bus back to the base.” If someone gets hurt, the patrol is the first at the scene.

But incidents are low, and Sergeant Mastantuono credits Kunsan's “Wingman Program.” It encourages troops to take a “buddy” when they go off base. “If we were tasked to take the fight north, we'd never go on a single-ship combat mission,” Colonel North said. “Likewise, when our people go out, they shouldn't go 'single-ship.'”

This simple and effective program has increased understanding and decreased incidents.

Other things to do

When people want to get away for a while, South Korea has plenty to offer. Naejangsan National Park is about an hour away from the base. Koreans are fanatics about the outdoors, so the park has marked trails for hiking. The park is famous for its colorful autumn leaf show. Also close by are hot springs.

MSgt Tim McCreedy of the 8th Maintenance Squadron golfing
(USAF Photo)

Off the country's southern coast is the Chejudo Island, which the Koreans call the “Hawaii of Korea.” It's just an hour flight from Kunsan.

There are regular tours to Osan Air Base, which is a few hours by bus from Kunsan. The market area — for shopping — restaurants and nightspots are a favorite weekend getaway for Kunsan troops. A night in a hotel outside Osan costs as little as $20. Some 35 miles north of Osan is Seoul. Buses run from Osan to Yongsan Army Garrison, in the heart of the capital city, and cost about $3.50. The city's Itaewon district is world-famous for its shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

But it's not just about getting away. Kunsan also is a good place to take a college course or study for that next stripe. In recent promotion cycles, the Wolf Pack got a 5 percent higher promotion rate than the rest of the Air Force.

Staff Sgt. Marie Vaughn hopes to take advantage of that good fortune. Though she didn't raise her hand to leave her family at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., she's thrilled with her assignment so far. “I'm happy to be here — to be part of the Wolf Pack,” she said.

When she learned of her Kunsan tour, “I set goals for myself,” said Sergeant Vaughn, a supply troop. She hopes to be healthier and slimmer when she leaves. And she's only one class away from getting her Community College of the Air Force degree. More importantly, she said, “I want to leave here as a tech sergeant.”

Like many airmen before her, she wants to make the best of her tour at the Kun. Maybe "steadfast determination" should be part of the Wolf Pack creed.

A Tale for Buckling Up

Seat belts save three Kunsan airmen

by MSgt. Will Ackerman
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Korea (PACAFNS – July 21, 2000) -- "I figured I would never get into an accident, but look what happened," said Senior Airman Darrel Bronson.

Bronson and two other Kunsan airmen found out at about 11:45 p.m. July 15 that car accidents do happen unexpectedly. Fortunately Bronson, Staff Sgt. Kevin Maynard and Senior Airman Donald Hoskins decided to wear their seat belts that day—a decision that probably saved the 8th Maintenance Squadron airmen's lives. Minutes earlier the airmen jumped into an Army and Air Force Exchange Service taxi for a night out at A-Town. But their evening of fun came to an abrupt, and potentially dead end, when a sports-utility vehicle pulled into their taxi's—a four-door sedan—path about 1.25 miles from Kunsan's main gate, just past the overpass on Highway 26.

"The taxi's front end is now where the windshield used to be," said Staff Sgt. Brent Paul, 8th Security Forces A-Town Patrol flight sergeant. Paul estimates the taxi was traveling about 60 mph when it hit the other car. Paul said he arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after the accident and saw the crushed sedan. Based on the visual damage, he said he thought there would be several casualties.

However, the airmen's decisions to buckle up saved their lives.

Maynard, who was in the taxi's front seat, suffered minor cuts and lacerations on his knee from the dashboard when the sedan's front end impacted the other vehicle.

"I remember our hood crumble, as it came toward me; the windshield cracked in front of my face," Maynard said. "It happened in slow motion. The seat belt held me in place and I sat helpless. I could only sit there and watch. Wearing the seat belt saved my life."

Miraculously, four off-duty 8th Medical Group airmen were in a taxi behind the maintenance troops heading toward A-Town. Staff Sgt. Antonio Granger and Senior Airmen Crystal Bishop and Miranda Garza, emergency medical technicians, and Senior Airman Kymm Espeland, a public health technician, stopped at the scene and were assessing the victims' injuries when the A-Town patrol and Kunsan's ambulance arrived. "When we arrived the off-duty EMTs had placed the victims on the ground, immobilized them and told us what to do," Paul said. "I am pretty proud of them."

The 8th Fighter Wing commander lauded the medical group airmen's selfless actions.

"I commend the four airmen for stopping and administering first-response medical care to the accident victims," said Col. Philip Breedlove. "Their actions demonstrate how important it is for Kunsan people to take buddy care seriously."

Maynard was treated at the scene and released, although he accompanied Bronson and Hoskins in the ambulance to Kunsan's urgent care clinic.

Because of the high impact, Bronson suffered abrasions on the hips, lower neck and abdomen. He was released from the clinic after four hours.

Hoskins' injuries were more severe, and required evacuation to Osan Air Base's hospital, said Capt. (Dr.) Alesia Carrizales, 8th Medical Group Urgent Care Clinic physician. She treated Hoskins and Bronson the night of the accident.

"It was such a high-impact accident, the pressure of the seat belt caused internal injuries to Hoskins, requiring surgery," Carrizales said. But the seat belt saved his and the other two airmen's lives, she said. The AAFES taxi driver, a Korean national, who also wore his seat belt, was injured and taken away by a civilian ambulance, said Staff Sgt. Lynn Hemme, one of two 8th MGP EMTs who responded to the scene in a base ambulance.

Most crash fatalities result from the force of impact or from being thrown from a vehicle. Ejected occupants are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside a vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"When people are in a high-impact accident, such as this one, the force of the impact throws a vehicle's occupants like a rag doll if they don't have seat belts on," Carrizales said.

Fortunately no one has died in the past 12 months in a motor vehicle accident, on or off duty, in 7th Air Force, which includes Kunsan and Osan Air Bases.

In the only other documented off-duty accident, the occupants wore seat belts and escaped with minor injuries. Ironically that involved Osan troops who were passengers in a taxi.

"It's a good record that seat belts are working," said Lt. Col. Alex Watkins, 7th Air Force director of safety. "Using seat belts minimizes the probability of sustaining an injury."

Failure to use seat belts contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior, according to the NHTSA. In America, someone is injured every nine seconds in a traffic crash, and every 13 minutes someone is killed.

Watkins said the crash illustrates that unexpected accidents can occur any time, and that planning ahead is important—whether it's recreation, work or traveling.

"With the Air Force currently in the middle of its '101 Critical Days of Summer' safety campaign, I want to emphasize how important it is for people to take care of each other, on duty and off," Watkins said. "When planning an activity, be totally prepared for what you are going to do. Take a few minutes and perform risk assessment."

Flooding of Kunsan AB:

According to the Base Weather people, the rainfall set a base record for August precipitation...well, that's as far as their current records goes. These floods are not unknown and happen about every 7-10 years. In 1959, Col John Moench had to use bulldozers to cut ditches to drain the base. In his book, Taking Command , it shows him at the front gate (same place as it is today), with water up to his knees. He had to use bulldozers to cut a drainage ditch for the base. During this flood, the base simply used pumps.

Decal Scandal:

A side note would be that all the terrorist barriers erected in front of the main gate does very little if the terrorist has a base decal. Under "peacetime" conditions, vehicles were waved through the gate with a simple ID check. This scandal was not as simple a matter as a greedy employee -- it dealt with a major security breech.

Honoring Kunsan's Medal of Honor Winner:

Honoring Kunsan's Medal of Honor Winner: It was natural that the base would want to honor "one of its own" in the naming of the Loring Club for Major Charles J. Loring, the Medal of Honor Winner of the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing while at Suwon AB, Korea. (Go to How It Was: 1995 for details on the Loring Club opening.) However, no one ever mentioned that there was a Medal of Honor winner from Kunsan AB in the Korean War -- Capt John Walmsley. Though Kalani O'Sullivan had served at Kunsan before and had lived in the area for many years, he had never heard of him until he started this project to rediscover the lost history of Kunsan AB in 1999.

For all these years, it seems strange that the 8th Fighter Wing selectively chose to "forget" Capt. John S. Walmsley of the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Wing (L-NI). He earned the Medal of Honor for actions while flying from Kunsan AB (K-8) on 12 Sept 1951. For more information on Capt. Walmsley's valor go to 8th Bomb Squadron .

Searchlight Mounted B-26 Invader (Type used by Capt. Walmsley) (John Harris)

Capt. John Walmsley Medal of Honor Winner 3rd Bomb Wing (L-NI), Kunsan AB, Korea

On 26 June 2000 on the Anniversary of the Korean War, the 8th Attack Squadron Association -- authorized by the Association President, David Bradburn, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret) -- presented a plaque to the base to honor Capt. Walmsley. The plaque was presented by the Commander of the ROKAF 38th Fighter Group, Col Moon-hyn Baek, on behalf of the organization to the 8th FW Commander, Col Philip Breedlove. The ceremonies were held in the Loring Club.

The Services Squadron Commander at the time promised that the plaque was to be placed in "a prominent spot" in the Loring Club. However, after the presentation, the plaque was never seen again...disappearing into a Wing trophy case somewhere.

To be truthful though, Capt. Walmsley IS honored in Kunsan's POW/MIA square -- on a brass plaque that honors ALL the Medal of Honor winners of the nation. There is no mention of his being from Kunsan AB. Capt. Walmsley remains just one of the many heros of our nation who gave their all.

ROKAF Issues Letter of Appreciation to Kunsan's Korean War Vets: During the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War in July 2000, the ROKAF 38th Fighter Group Commander of Kunsan AB graciously issued a Letter of Appreciation to all Korean War veterans who had served at Kunsan AB. The Letter of Appreciation was distributed to all Veteran Groups who served at Kunsan AB -- Army, Air Force and Marines -- and became integral parts of the veteran reunions that were held all over the United States in 2000 and 2001. Others had the letter read during the official presentation of their long-overdue Korean War Service Medal.

Korean War Service Medal

For those unaware of the circumstances of the Korean War Service Medal, the Korean government authorized the medal in 1954 to all personnel who served in the Korean War. The United States government refused the medal -- and like the war, was forgotten. However, Korean War veteran groups first found out about the medal when European veterans -- sporting the medal -- came to the U.S. for Korean War Memorial ceremonies. It was soon learned that the DOD had turned the medal down though all other nations had accepted it. After Congressional action, the Korean veterans were authorized the wear of the Korean War Service Medal (KWSM) -- almost 50 years after the Korean government presented it to them. During the Official opening ceremony of the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War in Seoul, the medal was officially presented by the Korean government to the assembled group of Korean War veterans all countries who had served. The medals are funded by the South Korean government and distributed free of cost to all qualified veterans. (Go to Korean War Medals for more information on the KWSM.)

Throughout the world, the vets received their medals with great appreciation. Hans Peterman of the 8th Bomb Squadron (L-NI) reported that the medals were presented in San Diego at a formal Korean-American Friendship dinner honoring the Korean War vets in 2000. Doug Hutchinson, a dear friend and Australian Korean War vet, received his medal -- an award he valued greatly -- shortly before his death in 2001. Ted Tollin of the 808th Engineering Aviation Battalion (SCARWAF) which built the original Kunsan AB runway wrote that he received his KWSM from the Korean Government in December 2001 -- a nice Christmas Present. The list goes on and on, but the vets have truely appreciated what South Korea has done in recognizing their efforts so long ago.

8th Fighter Wing Operations Center (WOC):

Wing Command Post: Battle Cab (2000) (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge	Battle Cab (2001) (From R.J. Cupper ) Click on Photo to Enlarge
Entrance Blast Door (2000) (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge	EA cell (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge
Scott at Work (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge	SRC (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge

8th Fighter Wing Operations Center (WOC): Scott Mounger wrote, "I returned from Kunsan in January of this year (2001) after a one year remote tour there. I still find myself missing it because of the fond memories. I built a family web site while I was there, to give me something to do with plenty of idle time, and I thought I'd let you see it. I stopped updating it just before I left the Kun but plan on leaving it there as it still serves as a testimonial to the rewarding experience I had there." Go to Scott Mounger's Homepage for more info.

How many remember the loudspeakers blaring, "This is the Giant Voice of the Wolfpack, testing...one, two, three, four, five...five, four, three, two, one...Wolfpack, out."

On his website, he described the duties of the Emergency Actions Controllers (EAC) in the day to day Command and Control functions of the Wolf Pack. He described the "EA Cell" where he worked. "This is the "EA Cell" where I work as a Senior Emergency Actions Controller. Our day to day functions are summed up in our motto "The Eyes and Ears of the Wolf Pack" As direct executives to the Wing Commander, we gather, direct and report any information pertaining to the command and control of Kunsan Air Base forces and are prepared to execute emergency war orders from higher headquarters in defense of the Korean Republic. We work around the clock, ready to escalate the Wolf Pack to full war time readiness with little or no warning. In the Command and Control world, this is as real as it gets! The Wolf Pack is more forward and ready to fight than any other combat flying unit in the world."

He went on, "Our EA Cell is manned with USAF Command and Control Specialists working rotating shifts for 24 hour a day coverage. There are two certified EA Controllers on duty in the cell at all times. A major portion of the information we process is classified, such as Emergency Action Messages and sensitive information about our readiness, not only that of the Wolf Pack, but the entire Department of Defense and it's allies. Even on the unclassified side of our work, we're involved with virtually any significant information that comes in relating to our base and others in the Pacific theater of operations. Flight following our two squadrons of F-16s keeps us busy during the day. As for our communications abilities, we can pretty much reach out and touch anyone in the world via telephone (secure and non-secure), UHF/VHF/HF and SATCOM radio, digital messaging, and base wide public address."

He described the area where the Battle Staff sits. "This is the Battle Cab, where the Wing Commander convenes the Battle Staff during exercise or actual contingencies. It is located directly in front of the EA Cell. This area of the command post (referred to by some as the "Snake Pit") is where The Wolf (wing commander) and the heads of all the wing support group commanders exercise command and control over the Wolf Pack forces. This is the most highly visible and critical room of any other on base during an exercise or actual contingency."

He continued to describe where the coordinators for base units sit. "The Survival Recovery Center (SRC) is located to the right of the EA Cell. From here, representatives from agencies around the base work issues pertaining to base defense, fire protection, disaster preparedness, explosive ordinance disposal, medical, logistics, communications and battle staff administrative support. Through the window you can see the rear of the Battle Cab. In front of the Battle Cab is the Maintenance Operations Center (MOC) where representatives from the aircraft maintenance squadron track the day to day maintenance scheduling of our F-16s."

He wrote later to add, "After the Gulf War, many command and control lessons were learned; one being that the Air Force had to train to fight with multi-service and multi-weapon systems at once, with a command and control element that was co-located vs. geographically separated during the cold war. A huge push towards "consolidation" occured in 1993 and it effected Command Posts and Maintenance Operations Centers (MOCs). Command Post controllers worldwide still refer to their "space" in a WOC as the Command Post, even though it's proper name now is the Emergency Actions Cell. EA, MOC and support personnel are on duty at all times, to include support personnel who work Monday through Friday. During exercises or contingencies, the WOC is FULL."

Up until the early 1990s, the WOC was located in the underground earthen bunker on the corner opposite the new 1X1 Barracks. Others may remember that the "Dungeon" was where the Message Center was. It is now used by the 8th Comm Squadron Air Traffic Control function. In about 1987, the WOC function was planned to be moved to the current site in the Wing Headquarters building, but there were severe problems with the wiring that ran beneath the flooring. The EIS (Electronic Installation Squadron) from Japan/Hickam were called in to straighten out all the wiring. As a result, the WOC remained in the earthen bunker and would be opened up whenever there was an exercise and all the key players would assemble there for combined operations. The MOC (Maintenance Operations Center) for F-16 Maintenance was located in a supposedly chemical attack proof area of the building, but it was NOT blast proof as it was above ground on the first floor. It was located in the DCM building that was built in 1987 near to the flightline tank farm. (NOTE: After the MOC moved to the WOC, the building became the property of the 8th Operations Support Squadron.)

Scott commented, "You're right about the bunker at Kunsan. It's definitely a cold war relic and our superintendent told us many stories of when he was in the command post there in the early 80s when Kunsan had the nuclear Victor Alert. The command and control functions were all shifted to the headquarters building in 1993-1994 after the Victor Alert was stood down (or so I heard). The command post is now referred to as the Wing Operations Center, even though you'll hear all of the commanders and anyone who is familiar with command and control call it the "command post"."

Looking toward Okku Village from the Intersection just off-base (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge

Heading into Okku Village (Courtesy Scott Mounger ) Click on Photo to Enlarge

Main Gate Demonstrations:

Our personal belief is that Koreans -- as a whole -- truly like the American people, but dislike the American government and military (as do many Americans themselves do). Again I repeat that the Koreans may like the American GI, but may not like the American military. There's a difference. However, our viewpoint is prejudiced from living and working with the Korean people in Kunsan for so long. As a whole, the relations between the GIs and local Korean community in Kunsan have always been very cordial.

However, the emotional issue over the possibility of reunification has fueled Anti-American sentiment reminiscent of the 1980s. In fact, the script seemed to be written by the same people...throwing red-paint on the Seoul U.S. Information Agency and staging very vocal demonstrations outside Yongsan in Seoul. Their unrealistic view was that if the Americans disappear, all of Koreans would kiss and hug in peace. Most college students firmly believed in this idealistic idea.

In addition, the followers of Minister Mun Chon-Hyun of Kunsan had stepped up their campaign in the Cholla area to return U.S. military areas to Korean hands. Most efforts have been centered on the Pilsung bombing range used by Kunsan pilots. A few bombing accidents were highly-publicized in the Korean press. In addition, these demonstrators have taken a new tactic in filing suits in the Korean courts for "noise damage" caused by the bombing. However, those living close have refused the Korean government offer to relocate them.

The following is an excerpt for the Jeonbuk Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights site . It gives an idea of how the Rev. Mun's organization has broadened itself to encompass more groups -- and thus broaden its base as well.

JEONBUK SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE & HUMAN RIGHTS

INTRODUCTION

Politics in Korea have been centralized through a long period of dictatorships, and the anti-dictatorship resistant movement has also been organized around Seoul, the Capital of the Republic of Korea. As a result most human rights organizations are in Seoul. Although cases of infringement of human rights prevail in other provincial cities and low-level districts, there is hardly any public consciousness of human rights in those districts. JeonBuk Province has a U.S. air base, with nuclear capabilities (whether or not there are actually nuclear weapons there) and with an undetermined number of landmines laying around the base, threatening the safety of residents. JeonBuk Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights (Advisor Fr. Mun Jung Hyun; & Represent Fr. Mun Kyu Hyun) is an independent, non-profit human rights organization based in JeonBuk Province. Six full-time staff and volunteer activists in different fields are participating in various campaigns and actions to recover the dignity of the human person.

ACTIVITIES Publication of Peace & Human Rights Weekly News

Peace & Human Rights Weekly News is the one and only human rights newspaper in local area nationwide - 172 issues published as of Nov.15, 1999. Peace & Human Rights reports human rights news in the local area, exposing political and social infringements of human rights by the public authorities and raising consciousness concerning the concepts of peace and freedom as stated in international human rights statements, through writing columns, etc. The newspaper also makes known the pain and suffering of Minjung (an indigenous Korean word referring to people resisting to oppression) in the field, discloses how their human rights are being violated, and is dedicated to people's right to knowledge. The newsletter, Peace & Human Rights influences various local mass media and newspaper and brings Minjung and other citizens together in solidarity.

Educational Programs for Human Rights and Peace

We sponsor Human Rights Academy and Peace Academy for JeonBuk Province every year and offer special training for local human rights activists. Human Rights Academy offers lectures on understanding of human rights and the human rights movement; the situation and challenges concerning basic political rights; local social welfare policy and citizens' rights; International Human Rights Declaration; human rights of children and youth; the right to privacy; and national human rights organizations. Peace Academy offers lectures on "what is the peace campaign?"; Kunsan U.S. Military Base and action for peace; landmines, disarmament, & peace; and making peace in one's daily life.

Support Program for Prisoners of Conscience

We assist prisoners of conscience and individuals who refuse to renounce their political views in JeonBuk Province by submitting a petition for their release and organizing periodical campaigns and actions to abolish an oath that requires a renouncement of one's conscience. We also monitor and study violations of human rights of common prisoners and work in solidarity with other human rights organizations for a revision of uncivilized penitentiary rules.

Center for the Unemployed

In International Monetary Fund's (IMF) system restructuring of private and public sectors is creating many unemployed people. We encourage a proper reflection of unemployment problems through public hearings, research study, and shelter and counseling for the unemployed while organizing Employment-Sharing Action through Reducing Work Hour in solidarity with Korean Conference of Trade Union(KCTU). We opened up Academy for the Unemployed so that an organized group of newly unemployed people and temporary workers can articulate their demands to the government. We are also concentrating on support projects for the establishment of a labor union for those persons.

Right to Privacy Campaign

We led a famous campaign opposing an implementation of electronic resident cards in Korea. Activities of the Electronic Resident Card Countermeasure Committee were successful in achieving a temporary delay of the implementation plan. We are working on a campaign against finger printing because the pressure for fingerprints continues. We are also preparing to launch a campaign calling for an enactment of Protection of Basic Rights to Privacy (tentative name) in order to protect individual privacy.

Kunsan U.S. Military Base Return Campaign and ROK-US SOFA Revision Campaign

In Kunsan, notorious for crimes committed by the U.S. military personnel, The Civic Organization Reclaiming Our Land in Kunsan U.S. Military Base is active in efforts to protect citizens' basic rights from such crimes and ultimately to protect national sovereignty from infringement by the United States. We sent a staff member to a national organization, People's Action for Reform of the Unequal SOFA. We hold a protest gathering every Friday in front of Kunsan U.S. Military Base, and there have been nearly 100 gatherings since the start of the campaign. Calling for a reform of the unequal ROK-US SOFA, we put together a variety of programs, raising such issues as the rent problem, the noise issue, and environmental problems.

The annual human rights film festival

Since 1997 we began sponsoring an annual human rights film festival. Being involved in a campaign for the abolition of the national security law, we are also preparing to establish a peace/human rights resource center. We joined the Korean Conference for Banning Landmines (KCBL) after discovering and exposing the existence of landmines near the Kunsan U.S. Military Base. We periodically issue statements and commentaries on political issues concerning human rights.

Regardless, Kim Dae-jung had gone on record as saying the Americans would not leave until the military situation was stabilized.

However, in August 2000, attacks on some GIs exiting Yongsan in Seoul took place and Kunsan Air Base went on a heightened alert in preparation for massive demonstrations. These demonstrations never materialized. However, we did see on local TV a staged protest with a few people shaking the locked chain-link gate at the Kunsan main gate ... without the riot police being nearby. It didn't look very menacing.

Again it seemed to be the same scenario as seen in the violent 1980s days. During those protests at the gate, the demonstrators would spout their anti-American rhetoric and light their "molotov cocktails" (kerosene -- not gasoline). They would wait until the riot police had backed up, then they would throw their bottles. The riot police would then advance and the protestors would turn around and go home. Messy and violent-looking, but really orchestrated and peaceful. This is what these protests remind me of.

However, the Wing Commander must always plan for the worst-case scenario and the Seoul protests did not make his life any easier. When he locked down the base -- meaning no GIs could go to A-town for fear of protestors there, the bar owners staged protests at the gate for loss of business. It was almost comical.

Luckily during winter, there were no protests...it was too cold. Protests were only held during the mild weather season.

New Block-40 F-16s Arrive:

Kunsan, Montana Guard team up to transfer fighters in March 2001

According to the release, the Block 40s gave the Wolf Pack the ability to fight day or night, in all weather. Block-40s added a Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared Night (LANTIRN) system, which are intake-mounted pods that allow pilots to locate and mark enemy targets at day or night. Block-40s also give pilots precision targeting capability. LANTIRN systems consist of two pods, a Navigation Pod and a Targeting Pod. Navigation Pods use a forward-looking infrared system that allows the pilot to see targets in the pod's field of view, day or night. Targeting Pods allow the pilot to precisely designate a target using the pod's internal laser beam. After bomb release, a special guidance unit on the front of the weapon guides on the laser energy reflecting off of the target.

In addition to employing laser-guided munitions, Block-40s were equipped with an "Improved Data Modem." The IDM allowed the pilot to "station keep, or monitor the position of other IDM-equipped aircraft by displacing their relative position on a multi-function display in the cockpit. It also permits Air Liaison Officers assigned to the ground maneuver units to "data burst" real-time target information directly into the cockpit of inbound aircraft, thus allowing the pilot to remain heads-up while simultaneously reducing exposure time in the target area.

The article further stated that Kunsan's 35th and 80th FSs began using Night Vision Goggles.

Kunsan mission change takes the fight into the night

11/24/00 KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea (AFPN) -- The 8th Fighter Wing's mission here took a major step forward when the first three of more than 20 upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons landed here Nov. 17.

The upgraded fighters, known as Block-40s -- to designate a level of improvement based on the original design -- are assigned to Kunsan's 35th Fighter Squadron. Currently, the 35th and 80th FSs here operate Block-30 F-16Cs and are primarily limited to daylight flying operations. The addition of this edition of the F-16 gives Kunsan's Wolf Pack the ability to fight day or night, in all weather.

Kunsan will receive 18 F-16C models and three 'D' models.

Leading the three-ship formation was Lt. Col. Michael Rizzo, 35th FS commander. Rizzo's squadron will fly the Block-40s. Block-40s significantly enhance the 8th Fighter Wing's warfighting capability by adding a Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared Night system, which are intake-mounted pods that allow pilots to locate and mark enemy targets at day or night. Block-40s also give pilots precision targeting capability.

LANTIRN systems consist of two pods, a Navigation Pod and a Targeting Pod. Navigation Pods use a forward-looking infrared system that allows the pilot to see targets in the pod's field of view, day or night.

Targeting Pods allow the pilot to precisely designate a target using the pod's internal laser beam. After bomb release, a special guidance unit on the front of the weapon guides on the laser energy reflecting off of the target.

"We can literally bomb through windows with this aircraft," Rizzo said. "I actually got a chance to do that in training these past few weeks out at Luke (Air Force Base, Ariz.)."

In addition to employing laser-guided munitions, Block-40s are equipped with an "Improved Data Modem." The IDM allows the pilot to "station keep, or monitor the position of other IDM-equipped aircraft by displacing their relative position on a multi-function display in the cockpit. It also permits Air Liaison Officers assigned to the ground maneuver units to "data burst" real-time target information directly into the cockpit of inbound aircraft, thus allowing the pilot to remain heads-up while simultaneously reducing exposure time in the target area.

The 35th FS will receive more than 20 total Block-40 F-16s from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., by February.

The Block-30 F-16s currently assigned to the 35th FS will transfer to a Reserve unit at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and a Guard unit at Great Falls, Mont.

In addition, Kunsan's 35th and 80th FSs will begin using Night Vision Goggles. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces Command News Service)

Foal Eagle 2000:

"The crucible for Foal Eagle 2000's air base defense exercise occurred Oct. 26 around 9 p.m. when 175 U.S. Army Airborne Rangers from Fort Lewis, Wash., jumped onto Kunsan to challenge the skills of waiting joint and combined defending forces. Gunfire, ground-burst simulator explosions and people shouting "halt" were heard from all sectors. Simulated grenades were tossed into defensive fighting positions, simulated explosive packages were left at key mission resources, groups of simulated dead gathered around designated areas, and mobile reserve HUMVEES and tracks cruised around looking for action. When Rangers stormed the base, the importance and necessity for a strong ground defense force was shot home. Eighth Security Forces Squadron members had planned and trained for weeks before the exercise. Despite the simulated kill ratios between friend and foe, it was clear that all the defenders' hard work and preparation paid off. "The opposing forces kept us busy pretty much all night, every night," said Capt. Kit Lambert, 8th SFS operations officer. "But the defenders stayed focused on protecting the wing's aircraft so they could fly and Kunsan could do its mission."

The following is from the Pacific Stars and Stripes :

Defenders protect Kunsan base resources against Foal Eagle attacks

by 1st Lt. Kelly Cahalan 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea (AFPN) -- Kunsan Air Base defenders faced attacks that tested every ounce of their defensive fighting abilities during Foal Eagle 2000. Kunsan hosted the air base defense portion of Foal Eagle 2000, a combined Republic of Korea/U.S. Forces Korea joint field training exercise that occurred peninsula-wide from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.

The crucible for Foal Eagle 2000's air base defense exercise occurred Oct. 26 around 9 p.m. when 175 U.S. Army Airborne Rangers from Fort Lewis, Wash., jumped onto Kunsan to challenge the skills of waiting joint and combined defending forces.

Gunfire, ground-burst simulator explosions and people shouting "halt" were heard from all sectors. Simulated grenades were tossed into defensive fighting positions, simulated explosive packages were left at key mission resources, groups of simulated dead gathered around designated areas, and mobile reserve HUMVEES and tracks cruised around looking for action.

When Rangers stormed the base, the importance and necessity for a strong ground defense force was shot home.

Eighth Security Forces Squadron members had planned and trained for weeks before the exercise. Despite the simulated kill ratios between friend and foe, it was clear that all the defenders' hard work and preparation paid off.

"The opposing forces kept us busy pretty much all night, every night," said Capt. Kit Lambert, 8th SFS operations officer. "But the defenders stayed focused on protecting the wing's aircraft so they could fly and Kunsan could do its mission."

Before Foal Eagle began, 8th SFS members trained and evaluated themselves and other Kunsan units. They trained the 8th Communications Squadron in the All Personnel Carrier course, which included safety, tactical movement and other essential skills needed to provide front-line defense.

"The training gave us some better ways of doing things to defend the network control center," said Capt. Hermon Armstrong, 8th CS Information Systems Flight. The NCC was one of the few locations that wasn't damaged by direct attacks throughout the entire week.

"The OPFOR had been scoping us out, but they haven't gotten close," said Tech. Sgt. Don Gurganus, 8th CS noncommissioned officer in charge of force protection. "I think they're scared of us. Our concertina wire would stop a track."

Since the NCC and the 8th SFS Mobile Reserve command post are located next to each other, 1st Lt. Russell Hunt, 8th SFS Mobile Reserve Flight commander, decided to share defense responsibilities along the border of the two buildings.

The idea worked perfectly according to people on both sides. Sharing a common perimeter, defense allowed troops to defend other areas or accomplish the work the communications squadron needed to do to keep the base's network operating.

Security forces also trained with defenders from the Army's 1/43rd Air Defense Artillery Patriot Battery here to familiarize both groups about different defense tactics each service uses, said Capt. Eric Bradley, Foxtrot Battery commander

On the night of the paratrooper attack, the security forces called the base to "stand-to." All available selective arms personnel were posted to defend against the attack while the rest of the base remained locked down, which allowed the defenders space to identify and destroy the enemy.

Army Sgt. Kevin Shaw from Echo Battery was working in the Combined Defense Operations Center when "stand-to" was called. Finding the best location he could, he said he "took out seven of them before I was killed."

For the 8th SFS Mobile Reserve Flight, Foal Eagle proved to be more engaging than it for some other base defenders. "We actually get to go out to all the firefights while everyone else has to wait for the fight to come to them," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Ridenour, 8th SFS Mobile Reserve flight squad leader.

"The hardest part about this whole exercise was identifying the controllers," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Dorsey from the mobile reserve flight. "They usually wouldn't identify themselves until after we'd open fire on them.

" Mobile Reserve Airman 1st Class Luis Gonzales explained his exercise highlight: "That's easy -- taking the Ranger's headquarters!"

Air Mobility Command (AMC) contracters from Maytag Aircraft Company, Kunsan AB, South Korea unload cargo in support of Foal Eagle 2000 from a military charted plane. Foal Eagle 2000 is the largest Joint and Combined field training drill conducted annually in South Korea running from 25 October to 3 November. ABout 25,000 U.S. troops will take part in the drill, including active duty, Reserve and National Guard troops from bases in the United States and elsewhere in the Pacific. The exercise demonstrates U.S. and South Korean military cooperation.

An 8th FW article dated November 14th, Kunsan sergeant designs Wolf Pack's battles , talked about one of the people who put together Kunsan's scenarios for the Foal Eagle 2000, Master Sgt. Eric "E.T." Truhn, 8th Fighter Wing Exercise and Evaluations superintendent.

His October challenge was overseeing the Kunsan Air Base portion of FOAL EAGLE 2000 where warriors waged war 24-hours-a-day against Truhn's scripted attacks and the opposing force aggressors.

All the exercises are conducted to ensure the 8th FW is combat ready and shines during the Super Bowl of simulated wars, Pacific Air Forces' Operation Readiness Inspection here in March. If the ORI were the final test, FOAL EAGLE 2000 would be the mid-term examination, Truhn said.

"The ultimate goal of the exercise was to get the 8th Fighter Wing ready to fight a war," Truhn said. "FOAL EAGLE (was designed) to test our combat readiness, which essentially (gives senior leadership) an indication of how well we'll perform during the PACAF Operational Readiness Inspection in March, which will be our report card on how well we go to war." An exercise doesn't just happen. Scripting an event and making it a reality takes hard work and the help of many players. Truhn works in close concert with PACAF, 7th Air Force as well as functional experts here to develop and carry out the exercise scenarios and meet mission objectives as determined by local commanders, U.S. Forces Korea, 7th AF and PACAF.

"There is a lot of coordination and communication flow between 7th Air Force during a war and the 8th Fighter Wing," Truhn said. "We determine how we're going to push intelligence down from 7th Air Force to the 8th Fighter Wing, how we're going to do SCUD alerts, mortar attacks and how we're going to channel information up and down the chain of command.

"We also work closely with our PACAF Inspector General counterparts to ensure we are training the way we are going to be evaluated during our ORI. We try not to train on things we won't be evaluated on. We don't want to create a false training atmosphere," he said.

The FOAL EAGLE 2000 training environment pitted the 8th Fighter Wing forces against an opposing force consisting of U.S. Navy SEALS, Army Rangers and Air Force security forces. Scenarios were designed to test rear-area protection operations and major command, control and communications systems.

To orchestrate an event of this magnitude required a great deal of coordination and cooperation.

"One event could affect up to five different (Kunsan) functional areas all in one little scenario," Truhn said. "If we needed to change something on the cuff, I would contact all the major players to let them know of event changes and make sure all the people were on the same sheet of music and so (EET members can be in-place). When the event does come off, that is a great feeling of satisfaction, (especially) when we have to change an event at the last minute and still get all the affected training we had originally planned for."

Foal Eagle 2000

However, when looking at Foal Eagle 2000, some old scoffers question if this was "realistic" training for a "base defense" exercise. If this was to simulate the initial attack (Phase 1) by the North, the scoffers wonder why a NKPR Special Forces sapper team (operating behind enemy lines and heavily outnumbered) would bother attacking the base head-on in a suicide mission when hit-and-run mortar attacks (as used in Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc.) have proved so effective over and over again in history. The primary objective would be to crater the runway and prevent aircraft from leaving the ground -- as well as walk them through the clustered Patriots. One wonders what type of defense plan the base has for a hit-and-run mortar attack from OFF-BASE -- or if there is any plan.

Others wonder whether the scenario with the Rangers parachuting in was realistic to test base defenses. They wonder why the NKPR would parachute in troops when the avowed NKPR plan has always been a SCUD attack followed by an air attack to take out the hardened targets and aircraft trapped on the ground during Phase 1 of their attack. It is true that the North Koreans practiced full-scale paratroop drops during their last mass exercise in 1996, but these would be drops intended for OUTSIDE of Seoul to surround the city and consolidate their forces.

North Koreans parachuting into Kunsan AB would be insanity. They would have had to disable ALL the Patriot missiles PLUS assume that ALL the Stinger missiles don't work. In addition, they would have had to disable the ROKAF Vulcan cannon on base AND the ROK Army Anti-aircraft site off-base. A SCUD missile attack won't do this. Only a massive North Korean rocket barrage leaving the base a smoking pile of rubble would do this. But if they did that, why would they need paratroopers?

To be truthful, the North would probably NOT use airborne forces so far south as air superiority still would belong to the allied forces. Slow flying enemy aircraft would be shot out of the sky. So why would they practice a Ranger paratroop insertion? There is no good response, except the Reserve Airborne Rangers probably needed the practice. Anyway, it was good PR and made a great photo op for the military. Let's leave it at that.

However, there were some bitter remarks in the retired military newsgroups on Foal Eagle 2000 as the Coast Guard Reserves proudly demonstrated how they would protect the ships in Pusan harbor during Foal Eagle with their speed boats armed with 50 caliber machine guns, while terrorists blew a hole in the U.S.S. Cole's side with loss of sailors lives on the other side of the world specifically because it did NOT have this kind of protection.

by politicians, conglomerates

People stationed at Kunsan would be wise to review their own operations with respect to spy networks. (Go to North Korean Defector and Spy Operations to learn what North Korean spies are sent to accomplish.) It is up to the base to decide whether there are any North Korean spy threat on Kunsan AB or not. That's their job. However, if there are deep-cover spies were on Kunsan, they'd never know who they were. They've had over 50 years to get their deep-cover operations down pat.

Downsizing and Mission Impacts:

Secretary of Defense Cohen visits Kunsan (Oct 2000)
(U.S. Air Force Photos)

One should note that in the 2000 Presidential campaign, the Democrats were proudly showing off the government surpluses...a big plus to get votes. But where did these surpluses come from? They didn't show that they had gutted the military with the base shutdowns, civilian layoffs, downsizing, reductions in the active duty forces, scrapping of Air Force/Navy aircraft and ships, etc. Defense of liberty is not cheap...and the Clinton administration simply "line-itemed" the Defense Department to death. The military was finding it harder and harder to keep trained forces on board and relied heavily on its reserve components to pick up the active duty commitments.

Only when Clinton became a "lame duck" President did the Joint Chiefs of Staff finally have the guts to testify about the true state of the military before Congress. Many veteran groups felt it was too late...and some radical veterans who sounded off in veteran newsgroups could not wait until the last group of "politically-correct" Clinton-appointed generals on the Joint Chiefs of Staff were gone.

Another part of this changing war scenario was the forward placement of war readiness materials. These stockpiles were being expanded in the mid-1990s at Kimhae. The closures of the European bases left a lot of excess military supplies available for building up this WRM cache. The idea was that all materials would be forward positioned awaiting the units to arrive.

What was bothersome to some was that if you read the Korean military scenario closely you would also see that the Kunsan forces were counting heavily on the "follow-on forces" to beef them up in case of a war contingency -- as part of their "take the fight north" portion of the Kunsan mission. This was part of the Air Force Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was formally inaugurated on Oct. 1, 1999.

This "follow-on" concept had been incorporated into the Wing mission statement with the catchphrase "Accept the follow-on." In case North Korea should attack, the U.S. forces from Japan and Okinawa would immediately back up the forces at Kunsan who would have to fight in place. Supposedly after the initial invasion had been stopped, the follow-ons would arrive and the conflict would enter the third phase to "take the fight north." The bulk of these "follow-on" forces are Reserve or ANG units subject to recall.

The U.S. forces in Korea were controlled by time-phased actions for the arrival of troops to support the South Korean defense. These were the "follow-ons." According to the FAS: North Korean Special Weapons: Doctrine , "Under Operations Plan 5027 (CINCUNC/CFC OPLAN 5027), the United States plans to provide units to reinforce the Republic of Korea in the event of external armed attack. These units and their estimated arrival dates are listed in the Time Phased Force Deployment List (TPFDL), Appendix 6, to Annex A to CINCUNC/CFC OPLAN 5027. The TPFDL is updated biennially through U.S./ROK agreements. CINCUNC/CFC OPLAN 5027 is distributed with a SECRET-U.S./ROK classification."

When thinking of these "follow-ons" in respect to the Korean conflict, one had to seriously consider the time lag versus the type of military action involved in Korea. According to the FAS: North Korean Special Weapons: Doctrine , " The basic goal of a North Korean southern offensive is destruction of allied defenses either before South Korea can fully mobilize its national power or before significant reinforcement from the United States can arrive and be deployed. " In another part it states, "The primary objective of North Korea's military strategy is to reunify the Korean Peninsula under North Korean control within 30 days of beginning hostilities . A secondary objective is the defense of North Korea. To accomplish these objectives, North Korea envisions fighting a two-front war. The first front, consisting of conventional forces, is tasked with breaking through defending forces along the DMZ, destroying defending CFC forces, and advancing rapidly down the entire peninsula. This operation will be coordinated closely with the opening of a second front consisting of SOF units conducting raids and disruptive attacks in CFC's rear."

In goes on, " The DPRK offensive against the ROK will consist of three phases. The objective of the first phase will be to breach the defenses along the DMZ and destroy the forward deployed forces. The objective of the second phase will be to isolate Seoul and consolidate gains. The objective of the third phase will be to pursue and destroy remaining forces and occupy the remainder of the peninsula. "

In other words, the North Koreans planned to blast through the DMZ, surround Seoul and consolidate around Seoul. Those Koreans in Seoul who didn't escape the initial onslaught would be held hostage. Try to imagine millions of Koreans with a gun to their head and the only way to annihilate the aggressors is to blow away the hostages. Not a pretty thought.

If one said that the North would be nothing but "crispy-critters" if they attacked, the answer would come back as "yes." The North Korean cities could be easily bombed back into the dark ages by allied forces. But consider this. Would you wipe out Pyongyang, if the North Koreans who had captured Seoul said they would execute a million people trapped in Seoul if you did? Think about this "hostage" strategy of the North Koreans and one can understand how North Koreans play hard-ball in negotiations.

The U.S. plans were based on the belief that the North Koreans would NOT be successful in consolidating their gains around Seoul -- though they are not so confident that they wouldn't break through the DMZ in places -- and would be pushed back across the DMZ. Then the allied forces could pursue the North Koreans into their homeland. If this was true, all would be well. The Wolfpack could "accept the follow-ons" and the "take the fight north." All would have been as planned. However, if it did NOT go as planned, then all hell would break loose and there would be nothing but devastation and death.

There was no way of telling which side -- U.S.-RoK or DPRK - is right in their beliefs of ultimate victory in a conflict. To test the hypothesis of who would win in the end is insanity. A logical person would say that war would be total insanity as both sides would lose. There would be no victor in a conflict. In the long run, North Korea would be isolated with nothing gained...starvation would prevail...revolts against its leadership would be a distinct possibility...no communist nation would come to its aid -- in winning, its people would only gain starvation and pestilence. South Korea would have its industrial base demolished...its homeland devasted by war...millions of its people dead. Even if it won, it is estimated that 10 million South Koreans would have died. Thinking about this scenario ends with a depressing certainty that it would be a hollow victory for whoever should win. Only the Americans get to go home whistling victory...but would have lost a lot of good men and women to achieve nothing. Not pretty...

Are the "Follow-ons" Ready?:

In August 2000, the DoD announced very loudly that the lagging units were now back "up to strength." Many casual observers noticed that "up to strength" meant that they only have the manning -- aided by the latest surge in enlistments due to some very lucrative college aid packages. However, "up to strength" didn't necessarily mean that they were trained to know which end was the front of the airplane.

After the Sept 11th, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, the U.S. went to war on terrorism. Sadly, it was found that many National Guard units routinely "pad" their numbers by keeping people on their rolls for as long as three years after they were discharged. Many units were understrength. The problem is not so prevalent in Air National Guard units, but it was admitted that this was a common practice in all areas of the National Guard nationwide -- and had been for many years.

SOFA Negotiations:

The Koreans continued to call the SOFA "unjust." But sometimes, these public outcries were comical. For example, Article 10 of the SOFA stipulates that U.S. and foreign vessels and aircraft operated by, for, or under the control of the United States for official purposes shall be accorded access to any port or airport of the Republic of Korea free of toll or landing charges. Comically, it was reported in the Korea Herald that a National Assemblyman screamed about the injustice of the "96 million won" in lost revenue since 1996 at Kunsan from port fees ... a miniscule sum that most Korean politicians budget for their pocket money on foreign "fact-finding" jaunts.

As to increasing the cost-share under the SOFA, the Koreans didn't have much excuse for poor-mouthing now that they were well-down the road to IMF recovery. As a sign of their economic recovery, the ambitious military hardware upgrade plans started in 1990 but shelved for the IMF crisis have been resurfaced. Korea's defense budget for 2001 has been set at 15.37 trillion won ($13.9 billion), an increase of 6.5 percent from 2000. Arms procurement (33.9 percent of the total budget). In October 2000, the Korea Herald reported that despite the cut in the arms procurement budget, existing or planned projects would go on without a hitch. The funds for key arms procurement projects increased by about 9.4 percent.

Specifically, the spending comprised 335 billion won for 20 new projects, including an AWACS surveillance plane project and 4.87 trillion won for 145 existing projects. In detail, 107.5 billion won of the arms procurement budget would be spent for the Air Force's next-generation fighter jet project (code-named F-X); 71.3 billion won for the Army's next-generation attack helicopter project (AH-X); 47 billion won for the procurement of UAV reconnaissance planes; 20 billion won for the guided weapons project (SAM-X); 15.1 billion won for the procurement of electro-optical image equipment (EO-X) and 5.8 billion won for the Aegis destroyer project (KDX-III). In addition, a multi-billion dollar contract was let for the manufacture of three submarines based on German designs.

(NOTE: Though the IMF (International Monetary Fund bailout) recovery was not complete in Korea in 2000, the Koreans had just reinvested in military buildup. Though there were still major corporations and banks that were financially unsound, the government refused to take the recommended actions of the IMF inspectors. The failure of the Korean government to act can cause great distress in the economy. The chaebols (family-owned conglomerates) continued to drag their feet on reducing the size of their "empires." Kim Dae-Jung's party was just too weak to take on the "chaebols." Slowly, the reforms initiated to limit the power of the chaebols are being reinstated by the opposition politicians. Sadly, it was the chaebols abuses of power that nearly brought Korea to its knees. It cost the Korean government untold billions dollars in lost revenues -- and cost the Korean people untold suffering. Unrepentant, the chaebols are slowly going back to their old ways. The legislation to limit their ownership in banks and other IMF-recommended measures were being repealed.)

Hope for Peace:

The hope for peace in 2000 remained high in Korea. In May 2000, the North Koreans and South Koreans finally set down at the negotiating table to lay out the protocols for discussing peace. It was a start. But like so many promising starts in the past, it was viewed with guarded skepticism. The high level talks in 1990 between both nations raised the hopes of all in Korea, only to dash those hopes to bits by seemingly irreconcilable differences. Both sides fervently wish reunification, but the question has always been who's going to be the boss.

In August 2000, the first step in this peace process was the reuniting of selected families from North and South Korea. It was very emotional scene broadcast worldwide, but people forget that this was part of the original agreement signed between the two Koreas ten years ago when they both entered the United Nations. The "Peace Road" leading to North Korea was finished over 5 years ago and dead-ended at the DMZ. The North Koreans have asked the South to pay for their portions of these projects because of their financial straits.

U.S. Military at Odds with Korea's "Sunshine" Policy:

Unfortunately, both the U.S. and ROK military in Korea continued to mouthe the "win-win" philosophy in Korea in 2000 despite reality that the U.S. military had been gutted. The annual Korean defense ministry White Paper stated that the United States was prepared to deploy some 690,000 troops as well as 160 ships and 1,600 aircraft. The figure was a 10 percent increase from years past, a reflection of the U.S. military's "win-win strategy aimed at being able to fight two wars simultaneously on two fronts," the paper said. "This shows a strong U.S. determination to guard the Korean Peninsula," the report said. No one mentioned that the 690,000 troops were from "follow-on" forces that were "iffy" at best. The DoD was still pushing through exercises to "qualify" its Guard and Reserves components as quickly as possible to fill the "holes" in its force structure. However, the world could see that there was going to be serious shortfalls in the U.S. military if it wanted to continue with its avowed "win-win" policy.

(NOTE: In 1998, the USFK Combined Command -- U.S. AND Korean forces -- started planning a new strategy that planned for the invasion of Korea and setting up of a government under South Korean control. According to New Warplan Calls for Invasion of North Korea by Richard Halloran (November 14, 1998), the United States and South Korean military commanders were completing a new war plan intended to invade North Korea to demolish its armed forces, capture the capital at Pyongyang, and destroy the North Korean regime. AND in a nation-building role, set up a "friendly" regime in North Korea. One could argue the danger of this strategy -- and even the legality as the USFK operates under the mandates of the United Nations which preserves national sovereignty. Regardless, shortly thereafter Kunsan started using the phrase, "Take the fight north." However, in the 2000 Report to Congress on the Military Situation on the Korean Peninsula the USFK publicly states the ROK military does NOT have such plans. But the question comes back, how can you have a mission statement "Take the fight North" without having such plans as it will be part of the Combined Field Command (USFK/ROK)?)

According to the Ministry White Paper, the South had "maintained the status quo" in its forces. South Korea had a standing army of about 650,000 and was supported in country by 37,000 American troops. In contrast, some 60 North Korean divisions had been deployed south of a line stretching from Pyongyang near the west coast to Wonsan on the east coast, the paper said. Pyong-yang was continuing to deploy more artillery pieces that bring Seoul within range. It also had added about 20 military aircraft to its inventory in the past year, giving it now some 790 fighter planes. The North Korean navy also had deployed surface ships and more than 50 submarines to forward bases near the DMZ, the report said. Since the late 1990s, Pyongyang had added four combat divisions, giving it a total of 67. It had increased its number of artillery pieces by 500, giving it 12,500, and had increased its reserve forces by 30,000 to a total 7.5 million men. The North had more than 1 million troops on active duty.

After Kim Dae Jung was elected as President, he undertook his "sunshine policy" in opening up to the North. He made a historic journey to North Korea in June. In August, Koreans from both sides of the divided peninsula were allowed to visit their families they have not seen since the end of the Korean War in 1953. One hundred North Koreans were in Seoul and 100 South Koreans in Pyongyang for a four-day reunion. The visits were an offshoot of an agreement reached during a historic meeting in Pyongyang in June between the two Korean leaders.

As an act of reciprocity, sixty-three former North Korean spies and guerrillas, who spent an average of 36 years in prison in the south after refusing to renounce communism, were repatriated to the north as part of Seoul's reconciliation with Pyongyang.

Many Koreans felt Kim Dae-Jung gave away something for nothing in that the spies went home, but Kim Dae-Jung did not press the South Korean POW issue. Approximately 300-400 South Koreans are allegedly still living in the North trapped in coal mines as slave labor. Mr. Kim was also under fire for delays in announcing the escape from the North of five former South Korean soldiers who had been held as prisoners of war before making their way southward in July.

North Korea Threatens to Back Out of Agreement: In November 2000 it was reported in the Stars and Stripes that North Korea had threatened to nullify its nuclear agreement with the United States because of Washington's "deliberate attempts to delay" construction of two light-water nuclear reactors, the state-operated news agency reported Sunday. Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency, quoted the Rodong Shinmun — the North Korean communist party's official newspaper — as saying the nation has "suffered enormous economic losses" because work on the reactors has not started as promised in the 1994 pact. Construction of the reactors has been delayed, first by funding problems, then by North Korean missile testing and suspicions that Pyongyang still has a nuclear weapons development program. The reactors, with a U.S. government-estimated cost of $4.5 billion – although some private estimates go as high as $11 billion – were scheduled to go on line by 2001. Estimates now are for 2007. The United States' "unfaithful action deliberately put off building of the light-water reactors," the North Korean newspaper said. That "is an attempt to undermine our capacity to generate self-sufficient nuclear energy and weaken our economic and military potential." The newspaper said Washington was looking for a chance to oppress North Korea. "Therefore, the U.S. will have to take all the consequences." In 1994, the United States signed a framework agreement with North Korea, promising to provide the Stalinist state two reactors if Pyongyang stopped its own nuclear program. The U.S. and other international intelligence agencies said they had evidence that the North's program included weapons development, although Pyongyang has denied that. The U.S. light-water reactors would produce less plutonium, a key ingredient in nuclear weapons, than the North's old graphite-based reactor.

Biological Warfare Threat:

SOFA dependents had been issued gas masks and hoods as part of their NEO kits. However, some felt this was a placebo rather than a real preventive measure. Some said that by the time, the dependents living off-base were notified of the airborne of biological contamination, it would be too late. They would be dropping like flies along with their unprotected civilian neighbors.

Make no bones -- the threat of biological warfare is a real worldwide threat. Most observers are confident that the Russians have developed bacteriological weapons (anthrax and other virulent forms of airborne diseases) and have pursued it employing tens of thousands over the years. This was all done in violation of treaties Russia had signed banning their development. Back in 1972 Moscow joined the Biological Weapons Convention banning germ warfare. Officials later admitted the country violated the treaty for 20 years, until then-President Boris Yeltsin signed an April 1992 decree promising to comply with the convention.

Though Russia vehemently denied this, Russian defectors who worked in the biological warfare labs have confirmed this "industry." Some research has clandestinely continued in later years under the guise of defensive programs, says Ken Alibek, who defected to the United States in 1992 after serving as deputy head of the huge Biopreparat venture linked to germ warfare. The Soviet and then Russian biological warfare program was so vast that it employed up to 70,000 people by the time of its official termination. Among their achievements was developing anthrax said to be resistant to antibiotics.

In addition, other countries have also developed and stockpiled these biological agents -- and are suspected of selling these biological agents to other countries as well. Iraq, Iran, Libya and Syria among others have germ warfare programs. Russia has been cited as one potential source of some of their supplies. A U.S. intelligence report written in 1994 said Russia might have supplied biological warfare technology to North Korea and Iraq, suspected of having stockpiled thousands of gallons of anthrax.

But would the biological attack come from North Korea? Some people felt the North Koreans had large stock piles of biological weapons. Many Americans thought any Korean base with American forces would be fair game as North Korea hates the American presence. As a terrorist nation, it would be capable of such an action. However, if it is used on Americans, it would be also spread to the Korean populace as well. To the Korean mindset, anyone using such a vile thing on their "brothers" would be a monster to be reviled throughout history. For this reason, no South Korean can bring himself to believe that a North Korean leader would ever think of using it. To the South Korean populace, biological weapons are not a player in any conflict with North Korea.

But the biggest reason that biological weapons would not be used by North Korea is that the North would be susceptible to any biological attack it sets upon the South. To unleash a epidemic-style disease on the South would be the same unleashing the same disease on its own people. Its use in the Korean environment would be insanity.

But would it possible that another foreign terrorist group other than North Korea might unleash the biological attack? Koreans don't feel that is a likely possibility. They understand that everyone hates the U.S. -- including some of their own -- but they don't feel that any terrorist groups (except North Korea) bear a grudge against them.

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