• Off-Base Issues: Prostitution and A-Town - Wolf Pack to combat prostitution -- an object lesson in futility -- and on-base rapes increase; A-town Off-limits -- the makings of a scandal (Updated: January 2004)
  

• Military Affairs (2003) -- USS Carl Vinson arrives in Pusan; Elmendorf F-15s at Osan; Marine FA-18s arrive at Kunsan in May; Low-key buildup; End of May return to normal. (Updated: 3 June 2003)
• Military Affairs (2004) -- Seoul Courts Rule Against USFK Land Use; Vehicle Registration Policy Change; Crime Reports on USFK Soldiers; Continuing ROK-US Prosecutions; Bonus to Soldiers for Extension (Updated: 14 January 2004)
  
  
• Relocation of USFK Bases (2003) -- In March USF announces it will relocate off the DMZ and south of the Han River; Renegotiations of Restructuring of 50-year old alliance; U.S. to invest $11 billion in Korea defense; Korea forced to increase its Defense spending; Enmeshed and entangled, the ROK drags its feet and attempts to shift the financial burden to the USFK; U.S. playing hardball and negotiations hit major snag in September 2003. 15-17 Jan continuation of meetings on relocation and reduction in forces. The first bases Camp Greaves and Giant to be returned in Nov 2004 under the LPP instead of 2011. (Updated: 31 Dec 2003)
  
  
  • Stryler/LAVIII: Our Opinion -- Details on the Stryker SBCT (3d Bde 2d ID) that will be replacing the 2d ID on the DMZ as part of a global repositioning strategy. Included are short sections on current USFK weapons systems that may augment the Stryker units in Korea after all the smoke has cleared. Stryker headed to Iraq in mid-October; US wants future forces to have a "regional" role; Stryker unit in Iraq in 2003 and blooded in Jan 2004. Stryker with its jerry-rigged LPG protection screens undergo the acid test of combat. Strykers success in Iraq for urban warfare role, but still questions about use in mountainous terrain unanswered. Decision to return the Interim Brigade Combat Team to Korea appears to be still up in the air as of 2004. (Updated: Jan 2004)
  
  
  
• Relocation of USFK Bases (2004) -- 15-17 Jan continuation of meetings on relocation and reduction in forces. The first bases Camp Greaves and Giant to be returned in Nov 2004 under the LPP instead of 2011. (Updated: Weekly)
  
  
  • Proposed ROK FY2005 Military Budget -- Is It the Last Straw??? (OPINION) -- ROK Promised Defense Spending increase of 3.2 percent of GDP in 2004, but delivered a 2.8 percent of GDP. ROK Spending has now passed 1997 levels. The US position is that the ROK has the ability to increase its defense spending, but the ROK has not shown the will to do so. ROK "self-reliant" defense is delusional, but the ROK is maintaining the "free-ride" using the US High-tech warfare umbrella. Cursory look at why the ROK "Self-reliant" Defense is delusional. Though stated as reasons for Budget increase, the truth is that the E-X program will be sent out for bids in Nov 2004 and the SAM-X (Patriot) will NEVER be procured as long as President Roh is in office. The ROK is developing weapons programs that offer technology transfer or benefit industrial growth -- not necessarily what is essential to the defense programs. The ROK continues to be a thorn with its refusal to fund the Yongsan move and disputes over land use with the end result possibly being an explosion that destroys the US-ROK Alliance. (Posted: June 2004)
    
  • Dangerous Game the ROK is Playing (OPINION) -- Indepth look at the US Perspective on the evolving US-ROK alliance. Look into the r reasons for the ROK "Stall-and-Conquer" Negotiation strategy. Look at the growing American anti-Korean opinion; USFK and Department of Defense strategy; Head-on collision resulting in reduction in forces and pull-out of troops (Posted: June 2004)
    
    
• Korea Continues to March to Its Own Drummer -- Korea upgrades its military and seeks technology transfer. However, Korea aims to control its own destiny. Korea now has OFFENSIVE missile capability. Its indigenous-designed fighter-trainer is ready for production and the KDX-II "stealth" destroyer has been launched. German-designed submarines are rolling out of shipyards and KM1A1 Korean Main Battle Tank is being produced in Korea. The next-generation fighter has been selected as the F-15K. Whether unrealistic or not, President Roh is seeking "self-reliance" for South Korea's defense by 2010. (Updated: 4 Sept 2003)
  
  
• Military Affairst: North Korean Crisis: -- Equipment changes; Korea-wide Exercises; Force Positioning; Policy changes; North-South military dialogue. (Updated: Monthly)
  
  
  • Food for Thought: The Military Option in North Korea: -- Short comparison of a views on military parity: Korean versus U.S. view. (Posted: 26 April 2003)
    
  • Food for Thought: The Mythical North Korean Threat: -- An article building a case for U.S. withdrawal from Korea. (Posted: 20 June 2003)
  
  
  
• Spies, Espionage & Infiltrators: -- Personal Opinion on the Spy Situation in Kunsan. Covers the spy organizations and the abuses by Presidents from Syngman Rhee to Roh Moo-hyun. Covers cases of captured infiltrators and deep-cover spies discovered in recent years to back up conclusions. (Sources footnoted) Covers history of communism in Cholla Provinces; list of coastal infiltration with methods of infiltration and vehicles used. (Posted: 24 May 2004)
  

• Reviews of Books on Kunsan AB (Updated: 3 June 2003)
  
• Reference Sources/Links: -- Links to Pro-USFK/Anti-US sites and online Korean newspaper links. General, Military and USFK links. (Updated: 8 August 2003)

• Background
  
  • Subtopics -- Pro-American Demonstrations or really Anti-Sunshine Policy Demonstration? -- Anti-American Protests Waning? NO!!! -- Split in NGO Group Strategies and Shift to Pacifism -- America Responds -- Backlash of Anti-American Demonstrations -- Anti-American and the Generation Gap -- NGO Tactic to Boycott American Goods Backfires -- NGO-Initiated Polls Increasing and USFK Poll in response -- Roh wants to revise SOFA, but U.S. and MOJ Sees No Need -- Danger of Getting What they Want -- Considering the Improbable: What if the U.S. Leaves? -- OUR OPINION (Updated: 3 June 2003)
• Jan-Mar 2003
  
  • Iraq War & Korean Perspective of Iraq War (Mar-Apr 2003) -- Iraq and Korea DAILY events with emphasis on anti-War -- but in reality a continuation of the anti-American protests of 2002. President Roh tells nation that he is forced to send non-combatant troops to Iraq in order to protect the nation -- i.e., U.S. blackmailed him. Roh then rewrites the text of his speech for English publications. Coverage is a day-by-day chronology of events in Baghdad and Seoul. (Updated: 16 April 2003)
    
• Apr-Jun 2003
  
• Jul-Sep 2003
  
• Oct-Dec 2003
  
• Jan-Mar 2004
  
• Apr-Jun 2004
  

• North Korean Crisis Background and Reference Materials -- Background on events leading up to Nuclear Crisis; Materials from Selected Sources on Nuclear Crisis; OUR OPINION (Updated: 8 August 2003)
• For Your Information: North Korea-US Meeting: -- Special Report on Upcoming North Korea-China-US meeting and U.S./North Korean options with our comments. (Posted: 8 August 2003)

• Reformist Policy:
• Lack of Coordination within Government:
• Alienates Career Bureaucrats:
• Continuing Education Problems over NEIS:
• Attacks on the "Gangster" Press:
• Environmental Policy and Saemangeum Project:
• Nuclear Waste Dump Protest:
• Farmers Problems, Opening of the Rice Market and Surplus Rice:
• Chaebol and Business Reforms:
• Korea Under Attack for Dumping and Govt Subsidies:
• Korean Outlook Dims as Companies Leave Korea:
• Privatization Plans Put on a Hold:
• Financial Reform Turns into a Quagmire:
• Conciliatory Position to Union Strikes:
• 40-hour Work Week:
• Political Scandals:
• Political Harassment from GNP:
• Split-up of MDP:
• Autonomy: An Old Answer to New Problems -- Pass the Buck!:
• NIS and National Security Law:
• Exiled North Korean supporter, Song Du-yul, Returns:
• Peace and Prosperity Policy:
• Trusted U.S. Supporter during Iraq War?:
• NGO groups anti-Americanism and Opposition demonstrations:
• Roh Questions Removal of USFK:
• ROK-US Summit (May 14) Impacts:
• Can a Leopard Change its Spots?:
• Resurgence of Anti-Americanism:
• Resurgence of Anti-Japanese Protests:
• Radical Students Protest Roh:
• Roh's Falling Popularity starts in Third Month in Office:
• End of 2003: Roh's Leadership Vacuum:
• Roh Impeached: March 2004

Military Affairs

8th AMXS Tops:

WRM/AME 100% Serviceable Rate:

New MILES Training Capabilities:

Kunsan: F-16 Operations At Kunsan Air Base, Korea

Photos By Katsuhiko Tokunaga

A nondescript airliner dubbed “the Patriot” lands at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, every Thursday to drop off about sixty fresh Air Force personnel at the Wolfpack—the 8th Fighter Wing. The aircraft, a charter, stays for an hour or so and takes off with an equivalent number of Kunsan veterans. Those arriving appear jetlagged from their fourteen-hour flight to Korea via Seattle, Washington. Those leaving say heartfelt goodbyes to friends. Officers at the base line up to welcome the newcomers and to thank those departing for their service. Newly arrived personnel destined for the 80th Fighter Squadron, one of two F-16 squadrons at the base, collect on one side of the ramp. An informal serenade ensues.

Beside a Korean Waterfall one bright and sunny day, Beside a shattered Sabre jet a young pursuer lay, His parachute hung from a nearby tree, he was not yet quite dead, So listen to the very last words the young pursuer said: “I’m going to a better land where everything is bright, Where whiskey flows from telephone poles, play poker every night. We haven’t got a thing to do but sit around and sing. And all of our crews are women. Oh death, where is thy sting?”

“Beside a Korean Waterfall” and many other songs of varying degrees of decorum will be drilled into the memory of the newcomers in the days and weeks to come as they gather together for beers in their squadron hooch on Friday nights. (Hooches are small housing units converted into lounges or party shacks.) Those assigned to Kunsan face twelve months at one of the last truly remote assignments in the US Air Force. The small base, on the southwest coast of Korea, has no space for families. Whereas Osan Air Base, a much larger base about 120 miles northeast and very close to Seoul, gives officers the option of bringing their families, all US military personnel live at Kunsan without spouses or children. Their squadrons, therefore, become extended families.

Without the demands of family, pilots, maintainers, and other person-nel have little to distract them from the mission. Col. Scott West, the operations group commander of the 8th FW, sums up that mission: “Defend the base, accept follow-on forces, and take the fight north. Those eleven words make it simple for everyone on base to understand why they are here.”

Defend The Base

A tall hill called Big Coyote provides a complete view of the base from its southern tip. A twisty gravel road takes visitors to the top, which is fortified with machine gun nests and a howitzer. Patriot missile batteries are visible below. “If the North invades,” explains Capt. Jason Hokaj, an F-16 pilot from the 80th FS, “we can cut down these trees to have a clear shot at enemy forces coming across those rice fields to the east.”

Hokaj turns north and points to a razor-wired fence that runs along the coastline and marks the western perimeter of the base. “Rumor has it that North Koreans being trained for their special forces have to touch that fence to graduate,” he notes. The story carries more weight than the typical urban legend: mini submarines from North Korea run aground and get entangled in fishing nets off the South Korean coast with a disturbing regularity.

“I don’t doubt that the fence story is true,” says Lt. Col. John Fyfe, who commands the 80th FS. “The South Koreans are always uncovering special forces operations in the country. I’ll read about an infiltration from the north in the press every couple of months. I haven’t been here an entire year, but I have already seen two North-South altercations. When I first arrived, the South Koreans sank a North Korean boat that was in South Korean waters. A couple of months ago, the North Koreans sank a South Korean boat. The tension here is a lot higher than most places we can be stationed.

“Kunsan is like a deployed location near a front line,” Fyfe continues. “The demilitarized zone, the dividing line between North and South Korea, is only 100 miles north from Kunsan, about fifteen minutes in a jet. Base defense plays an important part of every exercise we take part in.”

Accept Follow-On Forces

Few air bases have the experience Kunsan has in accepting new forces. Those stepping off the weekly Patriot are in-processed faster than newcomers at other bases are shown where to park. “Everything is focused on getting people on board within hours of getting them off the plane,” notes Fyfe. “At other bases, the in-processing interviews and training classes can take weeks. The local checkout here happens very fast. The squadron has your full attention within a day of arriving. You don’t have to buy a house or rent an apartment here. You don’t have to enroll kids in schools, turn on the utilities, or get a phone. You can focus on the mission a lot sooner.”

“Taking on follow-on forces also means the 8th FW has to be prepared to accommodate five or more additional squadrons,” says West. “This means doubling up on rooms, erecting temporary shelters, and dealing with more aircraft on our ramps.”

The commanders of the two squadrons at Kunsan (the 35th FS Pantons and the 80th FS Juvats) decide which unit will get which pilot before he or she arrives. (Yes, Kunsan has female F-16 pilots.) “We try to balance the experience levels between the two squadrons and assign them equivalent instructor pilots, weapons officers, and night-vision-qualified pilots. We send majors and more experienced pilots to our operations support group where they can support wing-level planning.”

Kunsan is often the first operational F-16 assignment for newly minted F-16 pilots. “We have about eleven lieutenants in each squadron right now,” West explains. “That’s a large number. Kunsan is both a good deal and a tough assignment at the same time for these pilots. The air force won’t take pilots out of the cockpit until they are experienced, which is defined as 500 flying hours in a fighter. A pilot will accumulate more than 500 flying hours in a typical three-year first assignment. So they will be eligible for a nonflying assignment. After a year at Kunsan, they are guaranteed another three-year assignment. New pilots willing to put up with the rigors of Kunsan can stay in a cockpit for four years.”

Upon arriving, and after in-processing, new pilots get an introductory briefing from the wing commander (called the Wolf). The briefing includes a history of the Korean peninsula and the Korean War. More recently, newcomers take a bus north for a tour of the DMZ. They get detailed briefings on war plans. Pilots new to the Block 30 F-16s (80th FS) or Block 40 F-16s (35th FS) get simulator and academic training. The first flight for all pilots is a local area orientation.

“Pilots who have been instructors or flight leads get the orientation ride and then a check ride to recertify their status,” notes Lt. Col. Dave Ellis, the operations officer for the 80th FS. “Wingmen get a ten-sortie mission qualification training program, including air-to-air and air-to-ground training. Part of that training takes place in the airspace just south of the DMZ where F-16 pilots work with ground controllers from the Army in close air support training. We try to familiarize them with the whole country. The training takes two to three weeks and brings them to mission-ready status.”

Take The Fight North

Wolfpack war plans take the fight north in some of the oldest F-16s in the Air Force fleet, Block 30s built in the mid 1980s. The 80th FS at Kunsan and two F-16 squadrons at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, are the last active duty units in the Air Force to fly Block 30 F-16s. Kunsan’s Block 40 F-16s, flown by the 35th FS Pantons, were built more than ten years ago. However, age has little to do with capability these days when the Fighting Falcon is involved. Recent software updates to Block 40 F-16s allow the 35th FS to drop inertially aided munitions, such as the wind-corrected munitions dispenser and the joint direct attack munition. (The 35th FS dropped its first JDAM in September 2002.)

The Block 30 F-16s of the 80th FS have been transformed from dumb bomb droppers into precision attackers in the last year. “Our Block 30 F-16s were once considered a drawback for coming to the 80th FS,” explains Ellis. “We had some of the oldest F-16s in the active duty, and they could not fly with a targeting pod. They also had an older avionics suite. All that has changed in the last year.”

The 80th still flies the same Block 30 F-16s, but recent software upgrades and the addition of GPS allow those airplanes to drop laser-guided bombs and to function with targeting pods. The 80th flew with a targeting pod for the first time in January 2002. Pilots from the unit dropped their first laser-guided bombs (two GBU-10s) with targeting pods two months later. The entire squadron was targeting-pod qualified in August.

Until late fall 2001, the F-16 pilots from the 80th FS flew what is called mixed-block tactics with pilots from their sister squadron at Kunsan. Block 40 F-16 pilots from the 35th FS would use their targeting pods to direct laser-guided bombs released from the Block 30 F-16s from the 80th FS. “While mixed-block tactics allowed our wing to put more precision weapons on target, the approach usually required extended loitering times and re-attacks,” notes Capt. Alex Grynkewich, the weapons officer for the 80th FS. “Mixed-block tactics also require greater coordination between the two squadrons and more complex inflight communications. All of these factors lower hit rates.”

While an avionics software upgrade called System Capability Upgrade 3, or SCU 3, gave Block 30 F-16s the ability to carry precision-guided munitions, SCU 4 improved PGM capability by adding a combined global positioning and inertial navigation system. SCU 4 also allowed the jets to carry targeting pods. At about the same time SCU 4 was being installed in the Block 30 F-16s, a software upgrade for Block 40 F-16s called Tape 40T6 gave the 35th FS the ability to drop inertially aided munitions. “The Wolfpack has only eighteen targeting pods, and all of these were assigned to the Block 40 F-16s of the 35th FS,” notes Grynkewich. “Tape 40T6 allowed the Wolfpack to drop inertially aided munitions, lowering the reliance of the 35th FS on LANTIRN pods and freeing some of the pods for our Block 30s.”

Once the 80th FS pilots began flying with their own targeting pods, they had to train to new tactics. The tactics, called mixed-element tactics, had to account for limited number of pods and limited number of qualified pilots the unit may have at a particular time. Each two-ship flies with at least one pod, usually with the flight lead. The pair uses buddy-lasing attack tactics similar to mixed-block tactics.

“One big advantage of mixed element tactics, however, is that the pilots perform these tactics from within the same element instead of between two elements,” Grynkewich explains. “The situational awareness datalink made available with SCU 4 allows us to use a cooperative lasing mode, which further improves our hit rates. Cooperative mode lets me tag my wingman. In air-to-ground mode, my display then shows the munitions my wingman is still carrying and the laser code he’s using. It also shows his time to impact and time to release. It tells me when to start lasing the target. The system works almost as if my targeting pod is on the other jet, or as if his bombs are coming off my jet. The automation significantly reduces the amount of radio communication to get bombs on target. The datalink also increases my situational awareness, giving me the fuel state of the tagged airplane, the status of his air-to-air missiles, his callsign, airspeed, and relative position to my aircraft.”

But even mixed element tactics are considered an interim solution. The ultimate goal is to have every pilot qualified to operate a targeting pod and every aircraft equipped to carry a targeting pod. To reach that goal, the 80th FS invited two instructor pilots from Luke to Kunsan last summer to augment its own instructor pilot core. The unit upgraded all of its pilots in three weeks of concentrated training. “In our most recent combat effectiveness readiness exercise,” Grynkewich says, “we operated as a full-up targeting pod squadron. We still have limited targeting pod availability, but the hit rates exceeded our expectations. We saw a twenty percent increase in lethality over mixed-block tactics. For example, if we hit seven out of ten targets in MBT, we’re now hitting nine out of ten targets. The improvements change the way we will take the fight north. PACAF has three F-16 squadrons in Korea. All three are now capable of dropping precision-guided munitions. We made these improvements at little to no cost to the government.”

“The ITO, the integrated tasking order, or our war plan, has changed three times since I got here eleven months ago,” adds Fyfe. “It incorporated the mixed block tactics when I arrived. With those tactics, we could cover more target sets with fewer aircraft because of the precision weapons. The ITO changed again when we got our own targeting pods. Then it changed a third time when the 35th FS began flying with JDAM. We cover a significantly larger target set than we could eighteen months ago because of the precision capability we’ve added to these airplanes. A year from now when SCU 5 comes out for the Block 30 F-16s, we will be JDAM capable. That will give us a lot more options when weather is a factor as it often is in Korea.”

Perception And Reality

Kunsan has a reputation as a bare base where heat, air conditioning, electricity, and running water are considered luxuries. The base also has a reputation among fighter pilots for some of the best flying in the world. Both notions are close to the mark.

“Newcomers tend to have negative conceptions about Kunsan because it is a remote assignment,” Fyfe says. “The base is significantly better than it was ten years ago when it had some significant infrastructure problems. My mental picture of the country was painted by old Korean War movies. I was pleasantly surprised when I got here in November 2001. The country is very pretty. The people are very friendly. Korean food takes some getting used to, but it’s pretty good. The separation from your family is tough, but not as tough as it used to be. Those stationed here maintain familial contact through emails and international phone calls. We have DSL Internet access here, so some use video cameras to see each other over the Web. The Air Force also grants thirty days of leave, which we usually take in the middle of our tours. “The time goes by quickly here,” Fyfe continues. “Since we don’t have many distractions around Kunsan, we get real good at our jobs. Young pilots get a lot out of Kunsan as a first assignment. They fly a lot and learn a lot. Many spend their spare time studying the threat. I’ve flown more in the last year than in any other year during my Air Force career.”

“I heard a lot of wild stories about Kunsan before coming over here,” says TSgt. Tom Greenhill, an avionics technician with the 80th. “They said this place was out in the woods with absolutely nothing to do. They said it is a bad place to be. Kunsan is a remote assignment alright, but the isolation draws people together. This tour, like any other tour, is what you make out of it.”

“People tend to forget the hardships of being at Kunsan,” adds Ellis. “They forget about the separation from family and the harsh weather. They remember the good stuff: the excellent flying, the closeness of the squadrons, and the intensity of the mission. They look back on Kunsan as a positive experience. People learn a lot about the airplane, about the job, and about themselves for the twelve months they spend here. When I talk to my wife and children on the phone, I tell them I can’t wait to come home. At the same time, leaving will be tough. I’ve made a lot of close friendships over here. I’ll miss this place.”

... Eric Hehs is the editor of Code One.

Exercises:

Wolf Pack Warrior (Feb 14)
Page Full Size (1584x1224) -- Click on page to enlarge

The wing was affected to a lesser degree with its portions of the Foal Eagle exercise (March 4-April 2). However, the arrival of the F-117A Stealth aircraft on March 14 at Kunsan cranked up the visibility a great deal. The RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) exercise (March 19-26) would entail some portions of the overall plan to be exercised at Kunsan.

In February, a C-9 aircraft from Yokota Air Base, Japan, helped troops from the 8th Medical Group train on air-evacuating medical patients. This collaboration was the first time Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea members trained with an actual aircraft, which proved beneficial for everyone involved. As the scenario went, individuals injured over the past 24 hours requiring medical attention not available at Kunsan were air evacuated to other medical facilities. The troops only simulated the transport, however the focus of the training centered around loading patients.

The big change in these exercises from the past is the "attitude" of the people. There seems to be a change in the atmosphere on the base dealing with the exercises. In the past, the general attitude to exercises was that it was a "war game" that just needed to be "passed." However, with the current tensions going on with North Korea -- along a definite chill in South Korean relations over the handling of the North Korean situation -- there is a feeling that the exercise may be a prelude to something "real" in the future. The personnel seem to have a sense of relevancy and immediacy in the exercise. In February, the base practiced functions for the upcoming Reception Staging and Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) to ensure that the base was capable of handling the beddown of the follow-ons.

The Korean populace in general have become more concerned with these exercises. The media also contributed to the tensions. In Feb Osan AB and Kunsan AB participated in a quarterly 7th AF Combat Employment Readiness Exercise Beverly Bulldog 03-01. Though the dates for this exercise were released in 2002 and discussed with local government officials and community leaders in the Osan area, the media published reports that Osan had increased its defense posture. Osan demanded a retraction as it had NOT increased its defense posture.

The following is a story from PACAF News Service on 7 Feb:

Follow-on forces deploy to Kunsan

Feb. 7, 2003
Osan's Red Horse train for contingencies with Wolf Pack
By Senior Airman Andrew Svoboda
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Troops from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea’s elite heavy construction team deployed to Kunsan this week for contingency training.

Nearly 100 members of the 554th Red Horse Squadron loaded their gear and drove to Kunsan in three convoys of 15 vehicles earlier in the week.

The opportunity to actually deploy to a field location provides far more effective training than the troops would receive training at Osan, said Lt. Col. Joe Castro, 554th RHS.

"Osan is very limited for space and we're limited to how we play in scenarios," said Castro. "What Kunsan provides is a bare base site, where we perform our mission while interacting with opposing forces and (chemical) attacks. We also have to overcome working on actual grass and gravel, as opposed to concrete."

An advanced team of about 10 troops arrived Saturday to prep the sight and layout for the main team. These troops and the main team, which arrived later in the week, provided actually troops for Kunsan's personnel line to process as follow-on forces.

"Processing troops provided more realistic training for the people working the in-processing line," said Staff Sgt. Michael Plante, 8th Mission Support Squadron. "The people working the line were able to answer real-world questions troops may have, since they were actually living here for a week."

Although Kunsan already has a civil engineer squadron capable of rapid runway repair, the Red Horse team provides heavy construction capabilities including well-drilling and quarry and demolition operations.

"We have the skills, training and equipment to provide a base with the ability to do construction instead of just doing repairs," said Castro.

When the Red Horse team deploys, they take everything they'd need to deploy to a bare base and independently sustain operations for 30 days. In addition to equipment and construction workers, the team arrived here with vehicle mechanics, and troops to cook, provide financial assistance and provide their own security.

In 24-hours, the team had a small city of tents set-up, complete with a fully operational kitchen, command and control center, armory, entry control points and living space for the team's nearly 100 troops.

The team trained here last year, but whether or not they return for the Operational Readiness Inspection is up to the Inspector General. Regardless, the team appreciates the opportunity to train here.

"The support we receive from Kunsan has been outstanding and we interact really well," said Castro. "We really enjoy any opportunity to come out here and train." (PACAFNS)

In the 22 Jun Wolf Pack Warrior an article stated that "Osan's 554th Red Horse and their Guard and Reserve augmentees were on temporary duty to Kunsan AB to work on five projects valued at more than $2 million. "We're constructing a shower/shave and two pre-engineered buildings," said Master Sgt. Robert Rooney, site manager and NCOIC. "The shower/shave can accommodate 200 people and the 10,000-square-foot PEBs can accommodate war reserve material or serve as quarters for about 200 troops per building," he said. The Kunsan project will provide a location for incoming forces to bed down for exercises or real world contingencies.

The need for these types of facilities was demonstrated with the F-117A Stealth fighters arrived on 14 March and were extended at Kunsan due to the North Korean nuclear crisis. They were later joined by a squadron of Marine FA-18s in May. The enlisted support personnel lived in tents with separate latrine facilities until they departed on 5 June.

The Kunsan project was a total force effort with approximately 30 Guard and Reserve airmen from stateside units attached to the 554th joining with 30 airmen from Osan. The project started before the Guard and Reserves arrived on 1 June. The Guard and Reserves left at the end of the June. The project would continue until the end of summer.

The construction site presented a few obstacles to the team. The site had to be prepared with landfill because the water table was near the surface as well as poor quality soil. The team raised the ground level of the site with higher quality soil. The site also had poor connectivity for electricity and water utilities.

Operational Readiness Inspection (Apr 7-11): Prior to the exercise, all the barriers were up; checkpoint stations were erected; concertina wire strung; signs covered; and camo netting set up. The base looked like a war zone. Because many personnel had been extended because of the Iraq War that syphoned off their replacements, there was an added bonus of people well-trained in this exercise. Nevertheless, the Security Police still had 75 percent "newbies" in the ORI.

The 8th FW ORI was actually part of the largest inspection of its kind in the Air Force, as it was conducted simultaneously with the assessments at Osan for the 51st FW and various locales for the 7th Air Force and its subordinate units. The inspections represent a recent shift in the PACAF commander’s inspection policy away from separate initial response and combat employment inspections towards a single combined ORI. This policy shift was also reflected in the combining of Foal Eagle O3 and the RSOI 03.

Inspections encompassed the four major functional areas: Initial Response; Employment; Mission Support; and the Ability to Survive and Operate. These four major areas were also broken into smaller sub-groups to more closely indicate strengths and needed improvements.

Everyone had to check into Information Control Centers before reporting to work to get the latest info on exercise. The exercise was played until you crossed the threshhold of your room. Basically everything was closed/off-limits during the exercise from 8 April (Tuesday) until April 11 (Friday). For the Korean NAF workers, this was a nice vacation. Most of the service facilities shut down on 4 April. The only place open during the ORI was the laundromat. According to the scuttlebutt, the exercise was to end at 12:00 Friday the 11th, but because of weather that prevented the completion of operational flying phases, the exercise didn't end until 21:00 on Friday night. As a result of the delay, the Wolfpack folks weren't able to "blow off steam" off-base until Sunday when the base was "unlocked."

Map of Exercise Area: Wolf Pack Warrior (Jan 03)
Page Full Size (1584x1224) -- Click on page to enlarge

As expected, the 8th passed with flying colors "Excellent" -- something that was no surprise to anyone. These folks have practiced this scenario until it was fine-tuned. Also the North Korean crisis seems to have focused the attention of the folks on this ORI being a potential "for-real" scenario -- and not simply a war game. (See Wolf Pack Warrior for photos of the ORI.) The following is from PACAF News on 25 April:

PACAF units make the grade after ORI

April 25, 2003
By Senior Airman Harold Barnes III
Osan Air Base Public Affairs

Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea -- The 7th Air Force, 51st Fighter Wing and 8th Fighter Wing lived up to their core values by earning "Excellent" ratings on the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection that ended April 11.

"Ratings aside, wing personnel demonstrated exceptional mission focus and a sense of urgency throughout the inspection," read the PACAF Inspector General’s report. "Individual performances indicated there are many aggressive training programs in place to meet the challenge of high personnel turnover, and unit morale remains strong despite the high OPTEMPO [operations tempo] associated with both exercise and real world demands."

The ORI was the largest inspection of its kind in the Air Force, as it was conducted simultaneously with two other ORIs in the Republic of Korea. The assessments were at Osan for the 51st FW, Kunsan Air Base for the 8th Fighter Wing and various locales for the 7th Air Force and its subordinate units.

"These inspections represent a recent shift in the PACAF commander’s inspection policy away from separate initial response and combat employment inspections towards a single combined ORI," read the report. "I would tell people they need to look at this ORI and come out of this with their heads held high and be awfully proud of who they are and what they know they can do," said Brig. Gen. William Holland, 51st FW commander. "I think they (Mustang Warriors) did well … I think our units proved they’re ready."

The report also said, "Wing leadership at all levels was extremely effective and involved, reflecting Air Force core values and inspiring the exemplary performance observed."

The rating of "Excellent" encompassed the four major functional areas: Initial Response; Employment; Mission Support; and the Ability to Survive and Operate. These four major areas were also broken into smaller sub-groups to more closely indicate strengths and needed improvements.

Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service.

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RSOI and Foal Eagle Combined:

For the sake of efficiency, the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) exercise and Foal Eagle have been combined for the second time. Basically, the Foal Eagle is a rear-echelon base defense exercise to test security measures and RSOI tests the ability of the units to beddown the follow-on forces and integrate them into the unit's mission plans prior to "Taking the Fight North." (See RSOI & Foal Eagle 03 Video for more details.) The following is a USFK News Release :

RSOI AND FOAL EAGLE EXERCISES COMBINED

SEOUL, Republic of Korea (USFK) February 17, 2003 – The Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command (ROK/US CFC) announced today that the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration exercise, referred to as RSOI 03, will be held 19 to 26 March in Korea.

Along with RSOI 03, the joint and combined field training exercise referred to as FOAL EAGLE (FE) will again be linked with RSOI as it was last year. FOAL EAGLE training events will begin on 04 March and continuing through 02 April.

RSOI/FE 03, like all other CFC exercises, is defense-oriented and designed to improve the command’s ability to defend the ROK against external aggression. United Nations Command has informed the Korean People’s Army in North Korea about the exercise.

As in past exercises, RSOI/FE 03 will include a full range of equipment, capabilities, and personnel including reconnaissance, Special Forces, and air, land, and sea assets.

RSOI is a scheduled annual combined/joint command post exercise first held in 1994 and used by CFC, ROK and U.S. forces commanders to train and evaluate command capabilities to receive U.S. forces from bases outside the country.

FOAL EAGLE is the command’s theater-wide joint and combined field training exercise focused on rear area security and stability operations, onward movement of critical assets, and select warfighting training events across all ROK and U.S. service components. The exercise will involve ROK forces and a number of U.S. military units assigned on the Korean Peninsula, as well as a small number of U.S. forces deploying to Korea.

This will be the 42nd time Foal Eagle has been conducted, yet only the 2nd time it has been linked with RSOI. A primary benefit of linking the two exercises is select field training exercises tie directly into the command post exercise, providing more realistic training opportunities. These exercises are designed to help teach, coach and mentor younger soldiers while exercising senior leaders’ decision-making capabilities.

The Exercise was not without mishap. 2 GIs were killed and 7 injured during the military exercise.

Uijeongbu, South Korea, April 4 (Yonhap) -- Two U.S. soldiers were killed and seven others were injured Wednesday in a collision between an armored U.S. vehicle and a light tactical vehicle during an exercise in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division said Friday. The servicemen who died have been identified as Sgt. 1st Class Lionel Richards, 43, and Sgt. Gilberto Strickland, 30. Some of the injured were rushed to the 121st General Hospital in Yongsan base in central Seoul and are listed in stable condition, while others reported to their units after receiving treatment.

As the USFK's FE 03/RSOI 03 is winding down, North Korea’s winter military drill is also winding down. It is expected to last until the end of March.

Anti-Exercise Protests: Anti-War protests targeted the Foal Eagle and RSOI exercises. On 19 Mar a protest was held outside Yongsan by a small group carrying banners that said, "Stop Foal Eagle RSOI Exercises Targeting North Korea!" (Go to Tongil News for photos.) Similar demonstrations were held throughout Korea. This demonstration was in conjunction with the anti-War protests being held in front of the Blue House protesting the War in Iraq at the same time.

Meanwhile, landing exercises for Foal Eagle took place at Hwajin Beach near Pohang. According to Daily Star News :

Meanwhile, thousands of American and South Korean troops backed by warships and planes launched a massive amphibious landing drill at a beachhead near in Pohang Friday as part of what North Korea denounces as preparations for nuclear war.

In a signal to North Korea that Washington will not drop its guard despite its preoccupation with the war on Iraq, US and South Korea troops are engaged in major war games this month.

Amphibious tanks roared ashore and sent camouflaged marines fanning across a smoke-filled beach as gunships hovered and fighter jets screamed overhead.

The joint landing drill at Hwajin Beach in Pohang, 350 kilometers (220 miles) south of Seoul, involves around 3,000 troops -- including 1,000 US marines, Captain Son Kang-Ho from the South Korean Marine Corps said.

Visible out to sea were six navy ships, including the USS Juneau amphibious transport vessel, from whose decks tanks and armored landing vehicles took to sea. Further out, invisible from the shore, a US aircraft carrier battle group provided additional cover.

"The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is somewhere off the coast," Lieutenant Commander Matt Brotherton from the US Navy said as he surveyed the landing drill, part of joint maneuvers which have sparked strong condemnation from North Korea.

On the 22 Mar the Tongil News showed an interesting video clip of protestors at Hwajin Beach on 21 Mar in the midst of the Foal Eagle Exercises with students attempting to run down the landing of a fishing village to the landing zone and stretch out their banner with Korean flags waving. They were intercepted by the police and hauled away in police buses. In the background of the video, the troopship and landing craft used to practice a landing assault are shown in the background with the helicopters flying overhead. They never got a chance to disturb anything.

Protestors at Pohang (20 Mar 03)

As the exercises were winding down, another small protest was held outside Yongsan on 30 Mar with the usual signs of "No RSOI" and "No Foal Eagle" -- along with "Bush Stop the War." Protests were peaceful, but blocked by Riot Police from nearing the main gate of Yongsan.

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Ulchi Focus Lens 03 (Aug 18-29): The Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command (ROK/U.S. CFC) announced that they would conduct its 29th annual command post exercise, Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) 03, Aug. 18-29. According to the USFK, "UFL 03 is a combined/joint training exercise conducted annually. This computer-simulated, command post exercise involves forces from both the United States and the Republic of Korea. UFL is designed to evaluate and improve combined and joint coordination, procedures, plans and systems for conducting contingency operations between ROK and U. S. forces. The exercise will involve a number of U.S. military units assigned on the Korean peninsula as well as ROK forces and a small number of U.S. forces deploying to Korea. The ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command conducts a variety of exercises such as UFL as part of a vigorous, year-round training program. CFC's preparedness is an effective deterrent to external aggression and serves as the foundation for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace and stability on the Korean peninsula through dialogue."

The basic focus is the command and control functions through various scenarios. The exercise is primarily computer-simulations between the command posts to integrate the ROK and USFK forces. Along the DMZ, there is a lot of activity in coordinating between command posts. For example, an Army C-12 Huron aircraft provides a transportation link between Command Post Tango and other command posts.

However, the North used UFL-03 as an excuse to cancel the ministerial level talks scheduled for 28-29 Jul with Unification Minister Jeong Se-Hyun causing the Minister to react with disgust. The Minister was upset that this annual exercise -- held for the past 29 years -- was used as a pretext to cancel the meeting to be held at Kaesong.

According to Agence France-Presse ("PYONGYANG DENOUNCES US-SOUTH KOREA WAR DRILL," 08/01/03) the DPRK has demanded that massive US-ROK military exercises scheduled for this month be scrapped, warning Seoul that staging the war games could jeopardise inter-Korean relations, the ROK's Unification Ministry said. Kim Ryong-Song, DPRK chief negotiator to ministerial talks with South Korea, sent a message to his southern counterpart, Unification Minister Jeong Se-Hyun, Thursday demanding that joint "Ulchi Focus Lens" drills be called off. Kim expressed regret over what he described as Seoul's bid "to stage nuclear war exercises against the fellow countrymen in league with outsiders to bring dark clouds of a nuclear war" to the Korean peninsula, the Unification Ministry said in a statement. "Now that your side is planning to stage war exercises against the North together with the US, we feel deep apprehension as to whether the itineraries of inter-Korean relations agreed upon by both sides would be implemented properly," Kim said in the message released here Friday. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) spoke more bluntly in a dispatch late Thursday. "We consider it necessary for your side to.... make a responsible decision to immediately cancel the projected Ulji Focus Lens and reinforcement and deployment of the US forces, which would aggravate the situation and drive it to the brink of war," it said.

An 8th Army news release indicated that roughly 14,500 US soldiers were taking part in Ulchi Focus Lens 2003. However a Korean newspaper stated 8,000 ROKA soldiers and 6,500 US soldiers were taking part. It was not clear what numbers were involved.

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F-117A Stealth Fighters Visit Kunsan:

F-117A stealth fighter planes were sent to take part for the first time in seven years in war games with American and South Korean forces. There is nothing secret about their arrival as it was last time -- but rather it is a media event. The media was invited on 14 Mar to Kunsan AB to view the aircraft and be briefed.


F-117A at Kunsan (16 Mar 03)

Background: 1993 at Kunsan It is interesting that seven years ago, Kim Il-Sung was practicing the same brinksmanship that his son is performing now dealing with the nuclear issue. Six F-117's from Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico were expected to arrive on 14 March at Kunsan Air Base. The length of stay was not announced but it was assumed that it would be staying for the Foal Eagle which started March 4 and ends April 2, and the RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) exercise slated for March 19-26.

North Korea denounced the U.S. for sending the stealth fighters to South Korea for joint military exercises with the South. "The situation on the Korean Peninsula is lurching toward a grave phase of war," North Korea's official Central Broadcasting Station reported on 13 Mar, adding that the U.S. is plotting to deploy more troops and weapons on and around the peninsula to support the joint military exercises, which are aimed at a preemptive strike. North Korea to said the F-117A deployment was all part of a prelude to a pre-emptive strike on its Yongbyon nuclear power complex north of Pyongyang.

There are a lot of similarities between the crisis in 1993 and the crisis in 2003. Though Team Spirit '93 was shelved, there was a curious news release on March 16, 1993 indicating the Team Spirit '93 DID take place. Or perhaps it would better be described as an operational exercise as North Korea was upping the ante on the nuclear issue and President Clinton was ready to go to war over it. Several F-117s from the 416th Fighter Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., along with about 90 members of the 49th Fighter Wing, deployed to Korea for a chance to define their capabilities in a different area.

SUWON AB, Korea (AFNS) -- In its first Pacific deployment, the F-117 stealth fighter teamed up with the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB for Team Spirit '93. Several F-117s from the 416th Fighter Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., along with about 90 members of the 49th Fighter Wing, deployed to Korea for a chance to define their capabilities in a different area. U.S. and Republic of Korea forces stationed in Korea as well as other American forces deployed to the area participated in Team Spirit '93, which ends March 19. "Our pilots, maintenance crews and support personnel are receiving valuable experience working with the Kunsan team," said Lt. Col. Robert Marple, 49th FW deployment commander. With air refueling capability, the F-117 supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces. Team Spirit is a joint and combined training exercise designed to test the defensive capabilities of American and South Korean troops. This is the 17th Team Spirit exercise. The 1992 exercise was suspended in hopes of improving North and South Korean ties and reducing tensions on the peninsula. The first Team Spirit was conducted in 1976.

(Go to Kunsan AB: 1993 for details of last visit. )

F-117A Stay at Kunsan Extended: On 23 March we were on Kunsan AB when the F-117As were practicing "touch-and-goes" on the runway. It was impressive to watch these aircraft "turn on a dime" because of the flying-wing design. This is a truly formidable weapons system. An open house was offered to view the F-117A at the Alert Pad (C-pad) on the south side of base in the first week of April.

F-117A with smart bombs (Source: Sharper Air Force)

The folks of the 49th FW were housed in a tent city during their stay at Kunsan. The tent city was complete with a dayroom, internet, and a small bx. Of course, the folks used cots with sleeping bags and the tents aren't the same as home, but it looked fairly comfortable from the photos in the Wolf Pack Warrior.

F-117As departed Kunsan on 5 June as the tension seemed to abate.

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Low-key Buildup (March-June 2003):

According to a Reuters article on 2 Apr, the USFK announced that the F-117A Stealth fighters from the 49th FW at Holloman AFB, NM and F-15Es from the 3rd FW, 90th FS from Elmendorf, Alaska would remain "for more training and to enhance deterrence." About 85 percent of the U.S. forces that took part in the exercises will return to their bases by 4 April while the remainder will stay on in Korea for "ancillary training."

The USFK said, "The departure date of the units remaining in the Korean Theater of Operations to continue training has not yet been determined." "Extending their training time in the Korean Theater of Operations affords excellent opportunity to further enhance inter-operability while also enhancing deterrence," it continued. "This limited number of forces includes personnel and aircraft from F-117 and F-15E units, and a small Army Task Force."

F-117As and F-15Es at Kunsan and Osan The F-117A stealth fighters were actually a political pawn to reinforce the image of a preemptive strike capability to the North and pressure it into negotiations. Their stay would be dependent upon how the political situation in the North goes.


49th FW F-117A Nighthawk

On the other hand, the 20 F-15Es at Osan AB -- from Elmendorf's 3rd Wing, 90th FS -- were thought to most likely return home after the return of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and its battle group from Iraq waters. This did NOT happen. As of 23 May, both the 6 F-117As and 20 F-15Es were still in Korea. According to a 5 May PACAF story, the F-15s were identified as the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and were still at Osan. (Go to GlobalSecurity.org: Order of Battle: Korea for details.) (Site Note: Though the press releases stated the F-15s were at Osan, we wonder as the 90th in ALL its deployments to Korea have worked out of Kwangju which is fully equipped to handle the F-15 deployments from billeting facilities to gas trucks. Not a big point.) With the relaxation of tensions, on 31 May the unit was released to return home. Note that while in Korea, it acted as a salesman for the 40 F-15K fighters that will be procured for the ROKAF.

F-15

In addition, a Marine squadron of FA-18s arrived at Kunsan AB in May. Interestingly, the FA-18s presence was announced by the North Korean news agency, but the USFK has been silent. The FA-18s started flying night missions along with the 8th FW in mid-May.

FA-18 Hornet

On 23 May, the Japanese Daily Asahi stated that the U.S. forces in Japan were making more reconnaissance flights and had beefed up security for them by adding F-15 fighter escorts and using AWACS aircraft. The move was a response to the threats to a RC-135S "Cobra Ball" aircraft North Korea made in March.

The U.S. forces also began night flights in May -- which coincided with the unusual amounts of night flights from Kunsan AB by both USAF F-16s and Marine FA-18s. The USAF in Japan has had five spy planes, including RC-135Ss and WC-135Ws, making regular flights since January, when the North Korean nuclear crisis pitched up. Also, the number of E-3 AWACS active in the effort rose from one to three. The E-3s were flying almost every day along with two F-15s - which is unprecedented. The flights used to be staged only during daylight hours, but beginning in May the RC135S started making night flights -- possibly to monitor missile launches at night by North Korea.

The night flights was also probably prompted by the increased threat by North Korea to strike out at Japan with missiles. The almost irrational fear in Japan over a possible North Korean missile strike prompted the Japanese Diet in May to amend their constitution for war-powers contingencies -- with the major concerns being human rights infringements with the government's assuming war powers. This was a preliminary step to amending the "peace" constitution altogether as a direct result of the North Korean missile threat. Though the South continues its head-in-the-ground belief that their North Korean "brother" would never send missiles or WMD against their brethen, the Japanese have an irrational fear of a missile attack from North Korea -- especially one with a nuclear warhead. Because there is no effective early warning system for missiles at present -- as the promised Missile Defense System is years away -- and Patriot PAC-3 systems and SDF Aegis destroyers provide only limited coverage, an early warning of any launch is essential to increase shootdown probabilities. The Japanese have two spy satellites monitoring North Korea and plan to launch two more.

The tensions seemed to abate around the end of May when 7th AF declared an extra day holiday for all USFK air force personnel. On about 28 May the 7th AEW with its B-52s and B-1s along with the 18th Squadron of F-16s and WC-130Hs were gone from Guam. The Marine FA-18s departed Kunsan at the end of May. The F-117As departed about 5 June from Kunsan.

Army Units from the 1st ID (Task Force 2-34) The "small Army Task Force" is the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, an element of the 1st Infantry Division which arrived in Korea to participate in Foal Eagle in late February. Fort Riley, the base that the 2-34 Armor is from, indicated that between 400-500 soldiers were involved in the movement. (Go to GlobalSecurity.org: Order of Battle: Korea for details.) This unit is what is called a "round-out" unit in that it provides fills to personnel needs within an organization temporarily. (Go to GlobalSecurity.org: 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment for details on this unit.)

On 4 May, a story in the Pacific Stars and Stripes reported that the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor had received orders to return to Fort Riley in May and that it would begin to depart South Korea soon. As it turned out they would not leave until the 28th of May.

According to GlobalSecurity.org, "It turns out that the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment is not the only element of the 1st Infantry Division's 1st Brigade in Korea right now. Some unknown element of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment is also in Korea having deployed with the 2-34th for Foal Eagle according to the 19th Theater Support Command paper. According to the article the Task Force withdrew enough equipment for 2 armor companies, 1 mechanized infantry company, a field artillery battery, a headquarters element, and equipment for a forward support battalion." (SITE NOTE: We find this interesting that on 27 May, the U.S. conveyed a plan to Korea to preposition assets for a heavy brigade where it would be stored on transport vessels. The equipment would comprise 130 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles and 110 other vehicles, along with supplies and ammunition. This would offset the loss of the 148 M1A1 Abrams in Korea if the U.S. pulled off the DMZ.)

Throughout the USFK soldiers and airmen were involuntarily extended due to the Iraq War siphoning off all the replacements. Similarly retirements were also held off in critical specialties. According to GlobalSecurity.org, "1,800 soldiers whose overseas rotation had been extended prior to the Iraq war have had their tours extended again. It is still not clear if this means that there has been an increase in the number of soldiers deployed to Korea or if that number has remained static."

According to GlobalSecurity.org,"Task Force 2-34 returned from South Korea on May 28, 2003. The unit was believed to have had nearly 1,000 soldiers deployed."

USS Kitty Hawk and USS Carl Vinson The USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) left the Persian Gulf on 16 April for return to Yokosuka, Japan on 6 May. The USS Carl Vinson remained "in the area" until the USS Kitty Hawk was in the Pacific. However, in May 2003, reports from the Associated Press and Bremerton papers on May 15 indicate that the Navy has confirmed that the Carl Vinson's deployment had been extended until fall.

The USS Kitty Hawk returned to Yokosuka on 6 May and the USS Carl Vinson was expected back in Yokosuka in early May. The USS Carl Vinson returned to Yokosuka -- the first visit of a nuclear carrier since 1997 -- and was said to be in place while the Kitty Hawk undergoes "repairs." The Kitty Hawk entered the Yard on 12 May. (See GlobalSecurity.org: Carrier Location for updates.) It was announced that a Marine squadron of FA-18s were at Kunsan AB about the same time the Kitty Hawk entered the Yard for repairs on 12 May. The USS Carl Vinson returned to Bremerton in Sep 2003. The USS Nimitz was to depart the Persian Gulf region and head to the Sea of Japan/East Sea to replace the Carl Vinson until the USS Kitty Hawk is able to deploy.

7th AEW at Guam Military pressure on North Korea was being exerted by the 7th Air Expeditionary Wing that deployed to Guam after standing by in CONUS because of South Korean apprehensions. (See GlobalSecurity.org: Air Expeditionary Force for make up.) However, when an RC-135S was intercepted over the East Sea, the aircraft were deployed to Guam in March. (See North Korean Crisis: March for details.)

B-52H Stratofortress

The bombers started arriving at Guam on 6 March after being held in CONUS due to South Korean misgivings. However, on 14 April Typhoon Kujira cropped up. Even though Typhoon Kujira never directly hit Guam, all of the B-52 Stratofortresses, B-1B Lancers and their respective support to include airmen, equipment and aircrews were evacuated from the airfield in preparation for the storm April 14. The B-52s went to Fairchild AFB -- a former B-52 base -- and the B-1B went to Hickam. The aircraft are part of the 7th AEW that was assembled for the North Korean crisis. By 23 April, nearly all of the aircraft that had been evacuated from Andersen AFB have returned to Guam. Some aircraft were still at Fairchild and at Hickam due to maintenance issues but soon returned to Guam.

B-1B Lancer

The 7th AEW also included a Detachment, Helicopter Combat Support Sq with MH-60S. Also included was the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron with 100 airmen to support the squadron's WC-130H aircraft was ordered to deploy to Guam until December 15, according to the Clarion-Ledger on April 22, 2003.

According to GlobalSecurity.org, "The May issue of Air Force Magazine revealed that the United States had sent some undisclosed number of F-16s to Andersen Air Force Base from the 18th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Fighter Wing on March 24, 2003 in an effort to improve the airbases "devensive posture in the Pacific region." A story in the Pacific Daily News on March 28, 2003 confirmed the story indicating that a squadron had deployed to the base but did not identify which squadron."

The placement of the 7th AEW at Anderson AFB, Guam created a problem with transportation, housing and logistical support. The base was not equipped to handle such a large number of personnel. To offset some of the problems, members of the 7th AEW were integrated into the host base transportation pools and supply to assist with the overloads. This prompted the host base to create a "Contingency Group" to plan for future taskings.

By May 27, 2003 nearly all of the bombers that had been sent to Guam were sent back to the United States. GlobalSecurity.org stated, "A report from Australian Broadcasting Corporation and a report from Reuters confirmed that all 12 B-52s from the 2nd Bomb Wing had returned and that 8 of twelve B-1Bs from the 7th Bomb Wing had returned to the US as well, with the remaining 4 to depart the island in the coming days." As of June 2003, there were no bombers on Guam.

Marine 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment: On 22 May U.S. forces carried out a training exercise to move a Marine battalion stationed in Okinawa, Japan, to the Korean Peninsula. More than 600 Marines took part in the exercise designed to move the force rapidly by high speed vessel from Okinawa to the North Gyeongsang city of Pohang in less than 24 hours as part of a routine exercise conducted twice a year. This was the first to use the High Speed Vessel, which cut the time needed for deployment -- up to three days by amphibious vessels -- to less than half of that. The Korea Herald reported on May 23, 2003 that the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment along with some element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force had arrived in South Korea for the Korean Incremental Training Program (KITP) which would take place May 28 through June 19. The KITP 03 consisted of live-fire and maneuver training designed in a building-block approach to culminate in a battalion-level field exercise. Units attached to 3/8 include a detachment from Truck Company, 3d Marine Division; Combat Engineer Platoon, Combat Assault Battalion; and Combat Service Support Detachment-33, 3d Force Service Support Group. The training lasted approximately three weeks at the 2nd Infantry Division's training ranges north of the Han River.

On 24 June more than 500 U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, III Marine Expeditionary Force departed for their base in Okinawa, Japan, and will make the transit in less than 24 hours using the High Speed Vessel. The HSV is capable of transporting approximately 1,000 passengers in comfortable reclining seats, along with more than 400 tons of cargo. The cargo deck can easily hold the numerous supplies, trucks, combat vehicles, tractor-trailers, water tankers, and other equipment needed by a Marine unit. According to Marine Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Martin, III Marine Expeditionary Force HSV Project Officer, the HSV is a transformation from how the Marine Corps has traveled in the past. The normal transit to or from Okinawa aboard ferry or amphibious shipping would take two to three days. Moving a Marine infantry battalion by air would take up to 17 days. "With use of the HSV, a battalion-sized unit with all associated vehicles and equipment can travel to its destination in one HSV run and arrive within 22-31 hours throughout most ports in the Area of Responsibility," said Martin.

Though the KITP is a semi-annual exercise and is not related to any current world events, from this experience, on 19 Jun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said in testimony to the House Armed Services Committee said that U.S. Marines in Japan could reach South Korea in just two days if there was an armed conflict on the peninsula. "They could be there in two days if there were a war," said Wolfowitz.

On May 27, two British warships arrived to engage in combined naval exercises with the Korean 3rd Fleet. As part of the defense against the North's missile threat, a Japanese SDF Aegis destroyer patrolled the Sea of Japan (East Sea) between Japan. U.S. naval forces were also involved in this effort.

(SITE NOTE: The units on the buildup have returned home in late May and early June, but we believe that the exercise was more than simply a one-time shot contingency. Guam has announced that there will be a Contingency Group set up and there are rumors that B-52/B-1 bombers may be assigned there on a rotational basis. At Kunsan, $2 million in permanent facilities for "follow-on storage" or billeting and "shower/shave" facilities are under construction by the 554th Red Horse. We still believe the 90th FS with their F-15s were at Kwangju rather than Osan, but we can't prove it. Regardless, those facilities have been constantly used by the 90th on past deployments and has billeting as well as hardened shelters and combat-turn servicing facilities (and pre-positioned refuel trucks). Regardless of whether they were used or not, the bottom line is that these facilities are ready to house future deployments on short notice. Paul Wolfowitz, deputy Defense Secretary, stated that the Marines from Okinawa could be back in Korea within 24 hours.)

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USS Carl Vinson arrives in Pusan

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived at Pusan on 14 Mar to take part in two joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises. The nuclear powered carrier is to participate in the ongoing Foal Eagle exercise, which began March 4 and ends April 2, and the RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) exercise slated for March 19-26.

USS Carl s departed it homeport of Bremerton, Washington on January 13. The Navy's third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the ship was commissioned March 13, 1982, displaces more than 95,000 tons and carries approximately 75 combat and support aircraft. From its 4.5-acre flight deck, the carrier can quickly launch and recover the world's most modern military aircraft to operate with other elements of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as those of allied nations.

On February 6, the Navy ordered the USS Carl Vinson and its Battle Group to the Western Pacific where it would replace the Kitty Hawk Battle Group and be in position to respond to any events that may develop regarding North Korea.

USS Carl Vinson at Pusan (15 Mar 03)

With the carrier USS Vinson's visit to Pusan, it seemed that there is a distinct impression given to the North that the U.S. was no longer taking a hands-off role favored by South Korea. There may be some truth that the U.S. was positioning its forces for a war footing. However, on 13 Mar Admiral Fargo of the Pacific Command told Congress that the possibility of war was "low." New York Times story on 13 Mar Admiral Fargo said, "We've arrayed forces to deter, not provoke a conflict."

After the Foal Eagle 03 exercises, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) remained "in the area." The following article was from Kashmir Times on 13 April. The USS Carl Vinson was still "in the area" but involved in the exercise Tandem Thrust 03 in Guam.

US carrier watches N.Korea, crew ready for action

By Masako Iijima

ABOARD USS CARL VINSON, Western Pacific, April 13 (Reuters) - More than a hundred times a day, fighter jets catapult with a mighty roar from this aircraft carrier, deployed to keep an eye on secretive North Korea and its suspected nuclear ambitions.

"What we're doing here is providing strategic deterrence. You don't have to drop a bomb to make a point," said 31-year-old Lieutenant Chad Gerber.

"Nations that are considered a threat know what kind of training we have and that's what keeps the stability," added the F/A-18C "Hornet" pilot, who dropped bombs on Afghanistan a year and a half ago in operation "Enduring Freedom".

The world's attention may be on Iraq, but the crew of the USS Carl Vinson plying the waters around Japan and the Korean peninsula to fill in for the USS Kitty Hawk, now deployed to the Gulf, are preparing for the day they may be called into action.

The presence of the floating, nuclear-propelled warplane airport, a squad of B-52 and B-1 bombers which has been deployed to Guam, and several F-117A "Stealth" fighters on assignment in South Korea, are all part of a U.S. effort to remind Pyongyang that Iraq is not the only concern on its security radar.

Tensions on the divided peninsula rose last year, when U.S. officials said North Korea had admitted to pursuing a secret nuclear arms program in violation of a 1994 pact.

The crisis escalated after North Korea restarted a mothballed nuclear facility capable of making weapons-grade plutonium, test-fired missiles and intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft patrolling international airspace.

SAME ROUTINE, DIFFERENT WORRIES

The five-vessel Carl Vinson battle group launched some of the first Tomahawk missiles into Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and about 60 percent of the 5,200 crew members currently on board the aircraft carrier took part in that military operation.

They may be veterans, but the 18 pilots on board still practice dropping cement-filled bombs each day.

Mechanics work round the clock to repair damaged aircraft in the hangar under the airstrip where planes land with a thud, sending shudders through a vessel as tall as a six-story building.

"Anyone with a desire to hurt someone is dangerous regardless of what fire power they may have," said Lt Aaron Parks, another veteran "Hornet" pilot.

"Brush off that threat and you are in a dangerous situation."

The battle group has just completed a month of war games with South Korea's military. Troops from the two countries, backed by warships and planes, practiced massive amphibious landings.

The annual "Foal Eagle" exercise sparked criticism from Pyongyang, which described the large-scale training as a rehearsal for a nuclear attack.

U.S. officials said North Korea test-fired a surface-to-ship missile of its own on April 1. Pyongyang has also used its official media to remind Tokyo that Japan is within range of North Korean military might.

"North Korea has the equipment to do more damage (than Iraq), they could get us if they tried. But we are ready for that, that is what we train for, that is why we are here," said Chief Petty Officer Mitch Palmer, part of an aircraft maintenance crew.

TONNES OF DETERRENCE

Efforts to break the deadlock between the United States and North Korea have so far failed.

Pyongyang insists on bilateral talks with Washington to solve the crisis, but the United States wants a multilateral forum that would include countries such as South Korea and Japan.

The United States has some 100,000 troops stationed in Asia with most of them in countries neighbouring North Korea.

About 37,000 of the region's U.S. military personnel are based in South Korea while Japan, which relies on the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" for a security deterrent, hosts around 48,000.

With the Carl Vinson forward deployed, if worse came to worst, the United States would be capable of striking North Korea's nuclear complex at Yongbyong or any other target.

"The carrier can go a long way in a short time and the aircraft on board can go a fair distance, so for us to go 500, 600, 700 km (435 miles) is certainly a do-able effort, if we wanted," said Rear Admiral Evan Chanik. But for the time being, the mission of the battle group is to monitor and prepare, not to provoke.

Said Captain Brian Neunaber, the "Airboss", who coordinates the jets, tanking aircraft and helicopters taking off and landing on the flight deck: "If parking an aircraft carrier off the coast of someone's country helps regional security, that is what we do."

The USS Carl Vinson departed Bremerton on 13 Jan and arrived in San Diego in 16 Jan. On 17 Jan, it began the JTFEX (Joint Task Force Exercises) and on 31 Jan it arrived at Pearl Harbor. On 6 Feb it deployed to Japan and arrived in Guam on 25 Feb. It arrived in Pusan for a visit on 14 Mar and remained "in the area" while the Kitty Hawk was in the Persian Gulf.

The USS Carl Vinson departed the Korea area and on 14 Apr began Tandem Thrust 03. It pulled into Apra