This page is
graphically intense
with long load times due to photos. However, the photos and narratives by the
men who served at Kunsan Air Base makes the wait well worthwhile. The opinions
expressed are those of the author and in no way represents any official
statement of Kunsan AB or the USAF.
For Kunsan AB viewers, the standard rule for dealing with materials on
government computers is "If you wouldn't show it to the Wing Commander, you
shouldn't be looking at it." The pages dealing with the RECENT history of the
8th FW contains some materials that are NOT complimentary to the 8th TFW. If
you are on a government computer, you should use your judgement on viewing
these pages.
If you wish to listen to some golden oldies from 1940s-1990s, click on the
selection on the list below.
There are about 80 full-length songs to choose from.
(NOTE: Song audio degraded due to space limitations, but adequate for computer
listening.)
NOTICE/DISCLAIMER: The content of this page is UNOFFICIAL and the views and
opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of anyone associated with
this page or any of those linked from this site. All opinions are those of the
writer and are intended for entertainment purposes only. Links to other web
pages are provided for convenience and do not, in any way, constitute an
endorsement of the linked pages or any commercial or private issues or products
presented there. Neither the DOD, the Air Force, the 8th Fighter Wing nor
Mickey Mouse
has endorsed any of this site. All Air Force links are publicly accessible
through the worldwide web. If there is any discrepancy between eye-witness
accounts and OFFICIAL DOD records, this site opts to lend credence to the
eye-witness views.
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.
Spot Notes -- Chronological list of events at Kunsan or affected the lives of Kunsan personnel (with links to main articles) (Updated: As events occur)
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)
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)
Kunsan AB Information
- Info, maps, slideshows with links to Kunsan City; Transportation; Base
(Updated: January 2004)
Reference Sources/Links: -- Links to Pro-USFK/Anti-US sites and online Korean newspaper links. General, Military and USFK links. (Updated: 8 August 2003)
Kunsan AB Protests
-- Background of Protests;
Protests in 2003 and 2004 by month; Indepth Coverage of the
Protest Movement -- The Relocation of the USFK/SOFA -- Roh Moo-hyun actions and
how it is all intertwined. Conflicts between Pro-US and anti-US elements are ideological and generational in nature. Coverage by month (Updated: Weekly)
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)
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)
North Korean Crisis (2003-2004)
-- The brinksmanship continues with the KEDO nuclear reactor program in the
toilet and the U.S. refusing to direct talks with North Korea. The North withdraws from the
nuclear proliferation treaty and restarts its nuclear weapons program. It
started up its missile testing program and threatens to test the Taepongdo-2
missile which in turn forced the Japanese to amend their constitution for War Time Contingency Powers. Low-key buildup with the F-117A and USS Carl Vinson ends at end of May. President Roh continued to be rebuffed in South Korea's role in nuclear disarmament, but continues to send financial aid to the north. The South's actions widen the rift between the two allies. Later admits reprocessing about complete. SARS outbreak places China meeting on hold. DPRK caught smuggling drugs into Australia. DPRK accused of smuggling missile parts from Japan. (Updated: Monthly)
President Roh Moo-hyun: Anti-American or simply a Radical Reformist? -- A short look at the changeover of Roh from radical reformer to pragmatist -- but always a politician. Roh is in trouble with a worsening economy, labor disputes, media squabbles and a government run by amateurs. The National Intelligence Service is run by a left-leaning reformist. The question remains whether he can be trusted as an ally. He switched to a U.S. supporter after his summit with President Bush and now his former supporters claim he disgraced himself and Korea with his "humiliation diplomacy." (Updated: Weekly)
The transportation patterns of Korea has changed dramatically within the past
few years. The traditional transportation to Seoul was ferry to Changhang and
then the train to Iksan and then Seoul. Nowadays, very few use this route but
rather use the express bus or simply drive as the roads are becoming better and
better -- though still more dangerous when compared to U.S. standards. But in
1999, the Gunsan-Sochon link of the West Coast Highway (Haeseon) was complete
and in 2001, the entire stretch was opened. It is possible to get to Inchon in
three hours -- compared to four by the Honam Expressway route. My
brother-in-law drove me from the Inchon Airport to Kunsan in three hours -- but
he's a heck of a better driver than me. It takes me about two and a half hours
to the first toll gate in Seoul. A humonguous time saver. However, I still get
bogged down in Seoul traffic.
If going by bus, it is now possible to make reservations over the internet.
The same is true for tickets on the trains.
Life in Korea: Buses
-- Information on the bus lines. Gunsan Intercity Station (Intercity Bus)
614-2 Gyeongam-dong , Gunsan
(063) 442-3747; Gunsan Terminal (Kosok Bus)
217-45 Gyeongam-dong, Gunsan
(063) 445-3824
Top Left/Middle: Kunsan Airport; Top Right: Kunsan Train Station
Bottom Left: Kunsan Kunsan Tollgate; Bottom Middle/Right: West Coast Highway
Bottom Left: Kunsan Ferry Station; Bottom Right: Changhang Train Station
Kunsan Air Base
The photos are from
SMSgt Christopher Shroyer's
Photo Album on
Webshots
. SMSgt Shroyer, "Soup", was the Superintendent of the Information Systems
Flight, 8th Communications Squadron in 2002. His photos provide an excellent
tour of
the base and its facilities.
Aerial View of Kunsan Air Base
(Courtesy
MSgt John Jones
)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Aerial View of Kunsan Air Base
(Courtesy Kunsan Airfield Manager)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
Photos of Kunsan AB: (top left) Okku Reservoir (top right) Departing Kunsan AB
(bottom): Kunsan Outer Port
Courtesy Tony Cruz, Major, USAR (Click on photo to enlarge)
Non AAFES
:
a. Billeting
b. Yellow Sea Bowling Center
c. Chapel
d. Community Support Center
e. O'Malley's Dining Hall
f. Seabreeze Mini-Mart
g. Gym - Swimming Pool
h. Hospital
i. Post Office
j. MPF
k. West Winds Golf Course Club House -- Oriental Garden
l. Falcon Rec. Center -- Loring Club
Current Kunsan AB Map
Kunsan City and Kunsan Airport
(Click on map to enlarge)
Click on icon to link to info
Wolf Pack Webpage -- current Kunsan AB Info.
-- Unfortunately Kunsan AB -- like all military installations worldwide -- are
now behind a firewall. There is some basic info for newcomers on the main page
but all organizations are behind the firewall.
Wolf Pack Warrior -- Base Newspaper.
-- Previous editions used to be in both .pdf (Adobe Reader) and .gif files.
However, now the editions are strictly .pdf (Adobe Reader) files with slightly
longer load times because you load the entire edition. Information from
newspaper very basic as most day-to-day information is transmitted via the
cable TV channels for on-base users. New format is much more "readable" than
the older versions.
Kunsan AB Wolf Pack Community Standards
. These attachments answer a multitude of day-to-day operational type questions
from the wear of the uniform to having a mascot to the release of information.
Kunsan information (Armed Forces Com)
. Best information source of Kunsan AB -- better than the Official Kunsan AB
source. Though information dated (1998), it is still very informative and
should answer most questions a newcomer might have. (Don't agree fully with the
history of the base from the 8th FW/HO "official" history, but the other
information is excellent.)
Overseas Gouge at
Baseops.net
. An interesting comment on the RON facilities at Kunsan AB. It stated,
"Kunsan, South Korea -
Front Motel
- I wouldn't want anyone to even think about staying here, so I won't give
you the number. First of all, don't RON at Kunsan unless you absolutely have
to. If you're faced with having to RON here, then lie, cheat, steal, just do
whatever you can to get out of there. As of Aug 01, most of the visitor's
quarters on base are occupied with permanent party, so you will be off base.
Most of the hotels are in the city of Kunsan, which is about 10 miles from
base. We stayed at the Front Motel, which SUCKED! I should've clued into the
red lights illuminating the hallways. The clue light for me came on when I
entered the hot, small room and saw a condom machine at the head of the bed and
pubes in the sink. Thank God I had a small can of Lysol, which I used to
disinfect the bed and bathroom. For those of you who like hair dryers, there's
a coin operated hair dryer on the dresser. My room didn't have a coin-operated
vibrating bed, but I'm sure I could get one if I asked. Problem was, NOBODY
speaks English here. I hope this will be the low point of all my billeting
experiences.
Personally I've seen better TA and servicing at civilian FBO's back in the
States. EVERYTHING is geared towards the fighters so expect to do everything
yourself, hands down the WORST transient support I've ever seen for a heavy.
When you arrive you can try to call command post or AMCC but they never
answered our radio calls (this was the case the whole week, even after we
talked to them on the phone). Try to get the frequency for the SOF in the tower
and they can make things happen. If you get to land on the first approach
you're lucky since they will usually break you out for the fighters. Heavy
aircraft will shutdown the runway if you land on 36 because you have to back
taxi to park. Basically the only taxiway for heavies is Bravo due to taxi
restrictions on the parallel. Security Forces and Customs met us at the plane
and then everyone left before we could ask for a lift to Base Ops. Our crew
chiefs asked TA about fleet servicing and they replied, "What's fleet service?"
In order to check NOTAMs at Base Ops you normally have to kick one of the
people off their computer. Overall the biggest hassle was Trans. Make sure you
call ahead for a U-drive if you can. They were more than happy to drive us
around but that wasn't the hassle. If you are lucky to get a U-drive, someone
has to take a 45-question driving test and then they have to take you off- base
for a short orientation (not cool at 1 am). If you land late and need food your
only option is the Community Center (open 24 hours and booze is available).
There is also the local AAFES (Taco Bell, Robin Hood, etc) fast-food place
called the "Jet Stream” which closes at 10 pm. There is a curfew off base
(midnight) so grab booze and food before you leave the base; the BX is next to
the "Jet Stream". Billeting is scarce so make sure you call ahead for
reservations since you will most likely be off-base. We were put up at the
Kunsan Tourist hotel, which is in downtown Kunsan. We were impressed that they
had a bellhop and rooms were decent however the restaurant upstairs is not that
great. If you need Won you can get it at the front desk and not get screwed on
the exchanged rate. There are a number of restaurants and bars with walking
distance of the hotel but good luck finding an English menu. There is an area
not to far from the base called "A-town" which caters to Americans. It is
nothing more than a few streets with restaurants and bars. At the entrance,
there is a guy who will change dollars into Won; it’s the first place on the
right when you get to the top of the hill. For awesome Korean food, across from
the guy who does Won-exchange is a place called “Cherry Boys.” Ten bucks will
get you some of the best bulgogi (Korean barbeque with rice) you’ve ever had
and a beer. (SITE NOTE: The Baseops.net color code for red = Bates Motel.)
Kunsan Air Base is located 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. Kunsan AB is often
referred to as the last of the "warrior bases". As an unaccompanied remote
tour, servicemen and women spend a quick 12 months at the "tip of the spear",
fulfilling the wing's mission, "To deliver lethal airpower when and where
directed by the Air Component Commander".
Kunsan AB, located on the peninsula's southwest coast, sits 109 miles south of
the DMZ. The base is within easy reach of North Korean weapons capable of
delivering chemical munitions. Hence, the need for chemical warfare classes for
everyone immediately upon arrival. And, if anyone dares to forget, Army Patriot
missile sites and machine-gun bunkers serve as constant reminders that the
front lines of battle could be as close as the front door.
Kunsan Air Base, elevation 30 feet (9 meters), is about 7 miles (13km)
southwest of the town of Kunsan, a port on the Kum River. The base is bordered
on the west and south by the Yellow Sea. The terrain immediately to the north
and east is rugged, consisting of numerous hills reaching heights of 90 feet
(27 meters) to 120 feet (37 meters). Although these hills are not very high,
they can cause cloud formation due to orographic lift. Hills and mountains
cover about 75 percent of Korea, with the remainder covered by scattered
lowlands. Most of the rivers are short, swift, and shallow due to topography,
narrowness, and sand deposits within the river. There are two small mountain
ranges within 49 miles (91 km) of Kunsan. About 102 miles (55 km) north, lies
an east-west oriented range, with heights approximately 1,970 feet (601 meters)
above sea level. The second range is higher, about 2,950 feet (899 meters), and
is 40 miles (74 km) east of Kunsan AB. Its orientation is north-south. The
small range to the north is high enough to have significant effect on air
moving over Kunsan from the north. Farther east is the Sobaek Range, which
forms a north-south interior divide on the Korean peninsula. These mountains
have a general elevation of 3,530 feet (1,076 meters), but have little effect
on the weather at Kunsan.
The base is named after Kunsan City, a port town seven and a half miles east
of the installation, with population of approximately 300,000 people. Kunsan is
just hours away from Naejangsan National Park, famous for the breathtaking
colorful autumn leaves, skiing at Muji Ski Resort, and a short drive to many
hot springs resorts located throughout the Republic of Korea. Chejudo Island is
a favorite tourist spot. It is only an hour flying from Kunsan. Located just
200 miles south of Kunsan in the Namhae (South Sea) it is often referred to as
the "Hawaii of Korea".
The United States Air Force has a continuing requirement to maintain adequate
supplies of ammunition and explosives within the ROK to support wartime and
contingency operational plans. Since capabilities are limited on
USAF-controlled installations, the US obtained additional storage capabilities
through a concept known as MAGNUM (Munitions Storage Activities Gained by
Negotiations of USAF/ROKAF Memorandum). MAGNUMs are a concept unique to Korea,
where USAF-titled munitions are stored at facilities which are owned, operated,
and protected by the ROKAF. Accordingly, the USAF has very little control over
the storage of munitions within these areas and no authority to enforce the
maintenance of Q-D clear zones. As a result of encroachment by the Korean
civilians into the explosive clear zones, there are large numbers of exposures
around the MAGNUMs. There is a permanent exemption from US DOD Q-D standards
for off-installation and ROK exposures created by storage of USAF munitions at
MAGNUM locations. This exemption applies for all off-installation and ROK
violations created by the originally sited net explosives weight (NEW) of
storage structures located at the Osan, Kunsan, Suwon, Kwang Ju, Sachon, Taegu,
and Cheong Ju MAGNUMs.
(SITE NOTE: As far as we know, the last MAGNUM site near Kunsan
under USAF control
was
Sochon MAGNUM West which was shut down in 1987. However, other information
indicates that there is a Magnum site
under ROK control
just outside the north gates of Kunsan AB with some of the largest storage
bunkers in Korea. Under ROK-US agreements, the U.S. provides about 60 percent
of the wartime readiness munition stockpiles. In 1991, the site had 109 ROK
personnel and did not report to the U.S. chain. U.S. personnel who worked
there in 1991 had their headquarters in Kwangju and Taegu. This is a strictly
ROK facility that still exists due north of the base -- about a 1/2 mile up a
dirt road at the intersection to the airport brings you to the back gate. The
front gate is accessed through the new road built on the other side of the
storage area.
THIS STORAGE FACILITY IS STILL IN OPERATION AND HEAVILY GUARDED BY THE ROK
ARMY. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AMMO STORAGE FACILITIES IN KOREA.
Included in the protection of this facility is an anti-aircraft position
located on a hill that formerly housed the MACS-1 during the Korean War.
The removal of the nuclear
"silver bullets" in 1992 from Kunsan freed up areas in the bomb dump. Currently
igloos and other facilities are
being built on Kunsan AB to accommodate the storage of munitions for
"follow-on" units in case of war.)
Kunsan AB, home of the 8th Fighter Wing (Wolf Pack) was originally built by
the Japanese as a fighter-interceptor base in 1938. Kunsan AB became home for
the US Military Assistance Advisory Group in Korea at the end of World War II.
In 1949, the US Forces left Korea, turning the base over to the then-fledgling
Republic of Korea Air Force. In August 1950, during the Korean conflict, Kunsan
was occupied by North Korean forces. The 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry, US Army,
recaptured the base and Kunsan City, September 30, 1950. Fifth Air Force took
over Kunsan AB in October 1950 and began modifying and rehabilitating existing
buildings, In March 1951, the 27th Air Installation Squadron may have started
maintenance on the base runway; and the 3rd Bombardment Wing arrived August 22,
1951. After the 3rd Bombardment Wing returned to Japan at the end of the Korean
conflict, Kunsan AB was home to many US Force units. The 6175th Air Base Wing
operated and maintained the base from 1954 to 1971. The 3rd Bombardment Wing
returned to Kunsan AB as the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing and stayed until the
1974 arrival of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
changed to the 8th Fighter Wing on 1 February 1992.
(SITE NOTE: Kunsan AB perhaps was first built as a base to support the
Manchurian campaigns in 1938, but soon became a Japanese advanced aviation
training base. However, there were a large amount of bombs and munitions
stored at the base when the U.S. forces arrived. After WWII, Kunsan became the
headquarters of the 3rd Battalion, 63rd Infantry Regiment
of the Occupation Forces. A large explosion in the dump killed some American
officers and enlisted men -- along with large numbers of civilians. (The
fishing village of Haje was next to the dump even in those days. The original
G2 report stated "thousands" of civilian deaths but this may have been
inflated.) The base -- originally called Camp Kunsan or Camp Iri -- was
renamed for one of the deceased officers and the camp became known as Camp
Hillenmeyer.
As to the 63rd Infantry's mission, it was originally to disarm and repatriate
the Japanese. It then took over the role of attempting to assist in setting up
a civilian government under the directions from the Military Government headed
by General Hodges. These personnel were detached from the main unit and
dispatched to various locations to "assist" in the transition to a democracy.
They were totally ineffective.
There were NO US Military Assistance Group personnel (USMAG) at Camp
Hillenmeyer. The USMAG was up in ASCOM City in Pupyong (Inchon) outside Seoul
and was NEVER in Kunsan. In March 1948, the Occupation Forces turned the base
over to the Korean Constabulary (forerunners to the ROK Army). Kunsan fell to
the North Koreans in 1950. This myth has persisted in justifying some of the
most outrageous war stories about attrocities that never took place.
After Kunsan was retaken, the base was called K-8. The 808th Engineering
Aviation Battalion (SCARWAF) --
assisted by the 809th EAB for a short while -- built the original East-West
runway, now called Taxiway Charlie (642). The 27th Air Installation Squadron
started the construction of the prefab plywood Jamesway huts (shipped in from
Japan), but most were erected with cheap civilian labor from the Indigenous
Labor Contract Office handled by the 808th EAB. The 27th AIS was assimilated
into the 3rd BW. After the 3rd Bomb Wing took
over, the 3rd Air Installation Operations (AIO)
supported the base infrastructure. In 1952-53, the present north-south runway
was built by the
808th EAB and finished up by the 841st EAB. After the 3rd BW departed for
Japan, the first unit was the 6170th ABG -- which became the 6175th ABG in
about 1959.)
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 0n-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. A
lot of new construction to replace the base's ancient infrastructure is
on-going. In the next few years, the base will undergo a $250 million facelift.
(SITE NOTE: The new 1+1 Barracks structures have been completed and the
period of "doubling-up" has ended. New construction of one new dorm per year
is underway. All personnel live on base except for about
230 members who live on the economy.)
Kunsan City is a deep-water port located on the western coast of Korea,
approximately seven and one-half miles from Kunsan AB. This port on the Yellow
Sea was established in 1899 and accommodates large ocean-going vessels. With a
population of more than 180,000, Kunsan city lists fishing as a major industry,
along with its reputation as a major exporter of plywood and rubber shoes. The
city has many interesting things to see, such as an outdoor market place, three
Buddhist temples, a park with a panoramic view of the city and various shops
carrying many different lines of merchandise. The nightclub scene is found in
the off-base “A-Town.” 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.”
(SITE NOTE: This info is a little dated. Kunsan has a population of
about 300,000 -- though some claim it may be as high as 500,000 with people
living here, but with registered residences in other towns. Though fishing
remains a major industry, the major
industrial center is now the Kunjang (Kunsan-Janghang) Industrial area with the
GM-Daewoo automotive
plant and Kia truck plants, as well as chemical and glass manufacturing plants.
Hansol Paper (formerly Chonju Paper Co.) has a major facility in Changhang.
The industrial complex is still growing through the reclaimed lands of the
tidal flats and will become the largest in Korea -- and one of the largest in
the world -- when completed.
New industries continue to move in as the Kunjang Industrial Zone expands and
new foreign industrial zones are planned on the Janghang side of the complex.)
Winter at Kunsan AB extends from November through early March. During this
period, daytime temperatures range from the mid-fifties in November to the
mid-thirties in January. Strong northwest surface winds during these months
produce wind chill factors below zero. Snowfall occurs most often during
December and January, with an average monthly accumulation of more than 18
inches. Spring (March through May), marks a transition from winter to summer.
The summer months at Kunsan AB, (June through mid-September), is commonly
called "the rainy season". Average rainfall for June is five inches, increasing
to 10 inches in July. Rain tapers off towards summer's end to average just more
than five inches in September. Summer daytime temperatures range from
mid-seventies to mid-eighties July and August are usually hot and humid. Autumn
at Kunsan AB like spring, is a transition period lasting through the latter
portion of September and all of October.
In Honor of
Kunsan Air Base's Medal of Honor Winner
Capt. John S. Walmsley
8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Wing (L-NI)
Capt. Walmsley earned the Medal of Honor for actions
while flying from Kunsan AB (K-8) on 12 Sept 1951.
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
For the story of Capt. Walmsley's valor go to
8th Bomb Squadron
. Capt. Walmsley is recognized at Kunsan AB on the brass plaque in POW/MIA
park that lists all of the nation's Medal of Honor winners.
Plaque in POW/MIA Park
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Christopher Shroyer)
Unfortunately, he is treated as only a footnote in military history of Kunsan
AB --- instead of the brave warrior who flew his last mission from Kunsan AB
(K-8). Nowhere is it ever stated that he earned his Medal of Honor with the
3rd BW at Kunsan (K-8). This is NOT a sign of disrespect on the part of the
8th Fighter Wing, but rather that the wing's historical agenda deals only with
the Wing's history, not the base's history.
On the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War in 2000, a plaque was presented by
the 8th Attack Squadron Association
(representing the 8th Bomb Squadron) to honor Capt. Walmsley's memory. The
plaque was presented on behalf of the 8th Attack Squadron Association by the
38th FG Commander (ROKAF) to the 8th Fighter Wing Commander. The plaque was to
be placed prominently in the Loring Club according to the Services Squadron
Commander, Mr. Ron Shadel, but soon after the presentation, the
plaque disappeared into an unknown trophy case.
The Medal of Honor winner from the 8th Fighter Bomber Wing was Major Loring of
the 80th FBS, who flew his missions from Suwon AB (K-13). Currently Loring
AFB, Maine -- as well as the Loring Club at Kunsan AB -- are named for him.
(See
Major Charles Loring
.) For a complete list with citations, go to
CMOH List
. Go to
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
for more information on the medal.
This focus on
ONLY 8th FW heroes
-- versus
Kunsan AB heroes
-- has led to some unintended slights by the 8th FW to the men that have given
their all for their country. In 2002, the remains of a MIA marine aviator was
discovered on a beach near Taean. The remains were later identified as SSgt
James Vaughn "Red" Harrell, a Radar Operator with the VMF-513 "Flying
Nightmares" which flew from Kunsan AB during the Korean War. He was returning
from a mission over North Korea when he was lost with his pilot. Though Kunsan
was notified, not a word was mentioned about "Red Harrel" at the 8th FW POW/MIA
ceremonies. Regardless that he was a Marine, he was an aviator that was trying
to get home to his base at Kunsan. Though slighted by the 8th, he was buried
with honors in Arlington National Cemetary with members of his old squadron in
attendance. Ron Stout a member of the VMF-513 wrote, "An enlisted troopers
funeral with two generals in attendance and a squadron representative all the
way from Yuma, even though the squadron is at Nellis AFB in a serious
interservice gunnery competition. If you have never seen the Washington, D.C.
Marines render honors then you have missed one of life's most stirring sights.
In a pouring rain not one of them so much as blinked. After the rifles volleys
they presented the empty casings to the family." "Red" Harrel had returned
home. (See
Kunsan AB (K-8) MIA from Korean War Interred in Arlington National Cemetary
with Honors
for the full story.)
Lest we forget...
POW/MIA Park
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Christopher Shroyer)
ERRORS IN KUNSAN AB'S HISTORY
The following is from
APPENDIX J
from the Kunsan AB History that is STILL on the Kunsan AB website in 2004.
This is the REVISED history after the Wing Historian went back to correct some
glaring errors in 2001. In the scale of things, the errors are minor, but
after thirty years on the base, you'd figure that they'd get it straight. Up
until three years ago, the base still believed that the BOQ structures for the
Wing Commander and Senior Commanders along with others in the BOQ area were
constructed by the Japanese. Only after photographic evidence was provided of
the houses used by the dependents of the 3rd Battalion 63d Infantry Regiment
(Occupation Forces) did the the base history stop this reference.
APPENDIX J
KUNSAN AIR BASE
The history of Kunsan Air Base dates back to 1938, when Japanese forces
occupying Korea built a base near Kunsan for
fighter-interceptor aircraft
. The United States first used the base in 1945,
but on a very small scale
. From 1945 to 1950, the Army and later the Air Force
intermittently operated small detachments from Kunsan
, with these detachments maintaining liaison aircraft. At most these
detachments contained a handful of people. When the United States pulled its
combat units out of the Republic of Korea in 1949, it left only a Military
Assistance Advisory Group in the country, and
the periodic detachments at Kunsan became even more infrequent
.
(SITE NOTE: Kunsan Aerodrome may have originally been built to support the
Manchuria drive, but by the end of the war, it was used by the Japanese as an
advanced fighter training base with about 500 people stationed there. THE USAF
(Army Air Corps) WAS NOT ON THE BASE DURING THE OCCUPATION FORCES YEARS. There
was only a sod runway used previously by the Japanese. The 3rd Battalion 63rd
Infantry Regiment arrived at Kunsan from the Philippines without proper winter
clothing in Oct 1945 to disarm and repatriate Japanese. The initial work was
done very easily.
The work on the tidal reclamation in Kunsan was started by the Fuji Company in
1932 starting in Kunsan City area of what is now Yah Hwa-dong. The
construction was then extended down to where the Ssangyong Concrete plant is
now. The original island on which Kunsan AB is located was used as a tie-point
for the levees. The levees extended towards Kunsan from the island. When this
was completed, the Okku Reservoir was created for the rice fields and
irrigation canals were laid out. AFTER this was completed, the attention was
turned to Kunsan. The sod airstrip was done by coolie labor hauling sand as an
1 1/2 foot underlayer. The aerodrome was used for advanced fighter training by
the Japanese with approximately 500 soldiers stationed there. (See
Howitwas: Japanese Period
.)
The Japanese "Kunsan Aerodrome" was originally named "Camp Iri" by the United
States Army. It was redesignated as "Camp Kunsan" in 1947. The site was also
known as "Camp Hillenmeyer" starting in 1947 -- named after an Army officer
killed in a disastrous explosion of the Japanese ammo dump on the camp. Camp
Hillenmeyer was NOT a "handful of people," but a battalion (about 500-1000)
with small detachments at Kunsan Harbor. What is not the BOQ area was where
the dependent housing was constructed. The camp assumed the duty to stabilize
the nation under the Military Government and transition it into a democracy,
but Korea soon turned into stinking quagmire. The US Army left in March 1948
turning the camp over to the Korean Constabulary -- the forerunner to the ROK
Army. The U.S. Occupation forces left Korea in 1949 leaving behind a small
Korea Military Assistance Group (KMAG) in Ascom City (now Pupyong near Inchon).
No KMAG Americans were left in Kunsan. (See
Howitwas: Occupation Forces: Camp Hillenmeyer
. Also see the book review of Russell E. McLogan's
Boy Soldier
on this page.)
When the Korean War broke out on 25 June 1950, Kunsan Air Base still had no
United States flying unit assigned. In their rapid advance, the invading North
Koreans captured Kunsan Air Base on 13 July 1950. Over the years, stories have
been passed on about large-scale hangings of Americans at Kunsan. Records are
scarce pertaining to Kunsan in the early days of the war, but evidence seems to
indicate that there were no Americans present when the North Koreans occupied
the base.
As mentioned, the base contained at most a small detachment at the outbreak of
the war, if in fact there was a United States presence at the time
. If there were Americans at Kunsan, they likely pulled back to the Pusan
Perimeter before the North Korean People's Army arrived. There are no records
of any atrocities against Americans at Kunsan, and without a doubt there were
no mass executions of Americans at the base.
(SITE NOTE: There were NO AMERICANS in Kunsan when the North invaded. The
North Koreans swept down the peninsula in a two pronged drive. The
ill-prepared and ill-equipped Americans of Task Force Smith hastily brought in
from Japan faced the onslaught at Pyongtaek and were slaughtered...and driven
back in a rout to Taegu and finally into the Pusan Perimeter. The second prong
of the North Korean attack was along the west coast and was confronted by
students and Constabulary who were quickly slaughtered by the well-trained
North Koreans. The North Koreans took Kunsan without a struggle. The
Constabulary had fled as the North was summarily executing any Constabulary or
leaders they found on the way. The ROK Marines from Cheju Islan did mount a
counter-attack to delay the North's drive south but withdrew after fierce
fighting in the Changhang area. There are records of executions of nurses and
medical staff in Chonju by the North Koreans. Rumors of mass executions became
popular AFTER the Korean War. Such horrendously sick rumors such as the 18th
TFW colors of "yellow" and the "chicken" were because of the cowardice
resulting in the Wing abandoning their troops to die at Kunsan have persisted.
Other rumors were that Americans were hung up on the hooks in the hangar by the
North Koreans when in fact that hangar was constructed DURING the Korean War
for the 474th FBG. This is now part of the ROKAF area. The book
Taking Command
by John Moench contains photos of excavations by the 808th EAB that are
purported to be proof of executions, but the books facts are skewed. The
bodies were graves that were disinterred for excavations to make a stone
quarry. (SEE
Howitwas: Constabulary
;
Cholla Province Korean War History (1950-1952):
for North Korea Offensive-Kunsan Falls-Pusan Perimeter-Feint on Kunsan.). See
Book Review of John Moench's book on this page.)
The 24th Infantry Division retook Kunsan in October 1950
, and the Communist Chinese intervention that winter failed to push far enough
south to put Kunsan in jeopardy. United States forces first operated in
significant numbers from the base in 1951. Before the Air Force assigned a
flying unit to Kunsan, however, engineering units had to prepare the base's
facilities.
The first Air Force unit assigned to the base, the 27th Air Base Group, arrived
on 1 April 1951 and oversaw construction.
The Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a 5,000-foot runway to
replace the sod runway constructed by Japanese. This runway is now known as
Taxiway Charlie (06/24). By August, construction had progressed to the point
that the Air Force assigned the 3rd Bombardment Wing to Kunsan.
(SITE NOTE: The record of the retaking of Kunsan is told at
Cholla Province Korean War History (1950-1952): Inchon Invasion-Pusan
Breakout-Retaking of Kunsan
.
"Task Forces Matthews and Blair cleared Namwon of enemy soldiers. In
midafternoon Task Force Dolvin arrived there from the east. Task Force Matthews
remained overnight in Namwon, but Task Force Blair continued on toward Chongup,
which was secured at noon the next day, 29 September. That evening Blair's
force secured Iri. There, with the bridge across the river destroyed, Blair
stopped for the night and Task Force Matthews joined it.
Kunsan, the port city on the Kum River estuary, fell to the 1st Battalion, 24th
Infantry, without opposition at 1300, 30 September
."
However, the Kunsan AB History continues to erroneously credit the 27th
Airfield Installation Squadron (AIS) as the original unit to rehabilitate the
base. The fact is the 808th Engineeering Aviation Battalion (EAB) was ALREADY
in operation constructing the base when first elements of the 27th AIS arrived.
The 27th Fighter-Escort Wing (SAC) (of which the 27th AIS was a part) was a
Reserve unit that flew F-84 Thunderjets. It was activated and hastily shipped
to Korea in November 1950. It appears that the unit disembarked in Yokosuka
and went to Yokota AB from November 11-30 to stage. On December 1, 1950, the
27th FEW was attached to the Fifth Air Force. The unit was split into two
elements: a forward echelon and a rear echelon. The forward echelon deployed to
Taegu from 1 Dec 50 - 31 Jan 51. On January 31, 1951, the last missions were
flown from Taegu. The 27th FEW then was replaced by the 136th Fighter-Bomber
Wing in July 1951. When the 27th FEW (SAC) returned to the states, the 27th
AIS was left behind because all units with construction skills were desperately
needed to beef up the EABs constructing camps and airfields throughout Korea --
and were absorbed into the existing units.
According to the
8th Fighter Wing History
, the 27th Air Base Group was assigned between 1 Apr 1951-24 Jun 1951. This is
rather strange as the 27th Air Installation Squadron (AIS) arrived at Kunsan on
11 Feb 51 to set up operations -- two months BEFORE the 27th ABG arrived. The
808th EAB -- and 809th EAB before they left for Chunchong -- were already in
place at Kunsan when the members of the 27th AIS arrived. Also remember that
the 3rd Battalion, 63rd Infantry Regiment during the Occupation had already
done a lot of the basic engineering work (road grading, water, infrastructure)
and the living and maintenance areas were located in the same areas as during
the Occupation. The 27th FEW (SAC) returned stateside to Bergstrom AFB, TX
after it was relieved at Itazuke by the 136th TFW on 15 Jul 51 which matches
the date for its shutdown.
At this time, we believe the 808th EAB who arrived in April 1951 actually
provided the overall direction for the setup of the base -- with miscellaneous
attached units under their supervision. The presence of the 27th ABG does NOT
make sense. David Britt, CMSgt, USAFR (Ret) was with the original group of the
27th AIS to arrive on Kunsan (K-8) and he was greeted by elements that were
already in work constructing the base. They were set at first to driving
duties to get the materials from Kunsan Harbor to the base. All members of the
27th AIS remained until the end of their one-year active service and were
absorbed into the 3rd AIS when the 3rd Bomb Wing (L-NI) arrived in August 51.
The 27th AIS would remain at Kunsan until 05 Feb 52 and was credited with a
12-month tour. SEE
27th Air Installation Squadron
for first-hand account.
The 3rd Bomb Wing flew the B-26 bomber during the war, remaining at Kunsan from
August 1951 until October 1954. A Marine aviation squadron, VMF(N)-513, arrived
in April 1952, and a few months later the base added the 474th Fighter-Bomber
Group, which included three squadrons of F-84 fighters, bringing the total size
of the operation to one wing, one group, and a Marine fighter squadron. In
April 1953, the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group left and was replaced by the 49th
Fighter-Bomber Wing, also flying the F-84.
(SITE NOTE: Though this is an 8th FW history it leaves out some significant
facts. Capt James Wamsley of the 3rd Bomb Wing became a Medal of Honor winner
for his actions from K-8. The honor of the LAST mission of the Korean War was
granted to the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd BW because it was amongst the FIRST who
entered the war. The FIRST night jet-to-jet kill was scored by an E3-D of the
VMF(N)-513 while flying from Kunsan. he VMF(N)-513 Flying Nightmares left for
Pyongtaek in June 1953 just prior to the Armistice. (SEE
VMF(N)-513
for details.)The 474th FBG DID NOT LEAVE. This was a paperwork move -- and
only one squadron physically relocated to Taegu. The other two squadrons
remained at K-8. The renaming of the units was part of an Air Force
restructuring to build a "super-Wing" at Taegu with combined resources to
better support supply and maintenance. (SEE
474th FBG
for details.)
During the Korean War, the large number of locations used for bases and the
similarity of some geographical names prompted the Air Force to use
alphanumeric identifiers for bases in addition to their proper designations.
Under this system, each base in Korea received a "K number," simplifying
positive identification when referring to the various bases. Kunsan received
the number K-8, while Osan Air Base was also known as K-55.
After hostilities ceased, the base began to draw down. The F-84 forces of the
49th Fighter-Bomber Wing left in November 1953, and by October 1954 the host
unit of the base, the 3rd Bombardment Wing, also departed. This left the base
with a much-reduced mission. From 1953-1954, the 808th and 841st Aviation
Engineering Battalions constructed what is today’s main runway. For the next
several years Kunsan merely hosted periodic rotations of fighter and light
bomber squadrons, with base facilities maintained and operated by an air base
group. In 1957 and 1958, the 6170th Air Base Group began to upgrade base
facilities, increasing the runway from 5,000 to 9,000 feet and building new
dormitories.
(SITE NOTE: An important fact which will NEVER be mentioned is that the base
became the PERMANENT nuclear alert facility in Korea starting in 1958. Though
the targets were secret, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that China
became a nuclear power in 1958 and the base was on the WEST coast facing CHINA.
First supported by B-57s from Misawa, it later was transitioned into F-100s
pulling nuclear alerts. The base was also used as a prepositioning point for
nuclear armed aircraft brought up from Okinawa in times of tension. The base
continued with its nuclear commitment on a TDY basis -- with the Det 1 475th
TFW being the last -- until 1971 when the 3rd TFW assumed that alert with their
F-4s. When the 8th TFW took over the nuclear commitment it was downgraded from
a full-time alert, though the capability (and training) continued until 1992
when the last of the nukes were removed from Korea. THIS TOPIC REMAINS A "NO
CONFIRMATION - NO DENIAL" AREA FOR THE USFK.
The comment that the 6170th ABG began the upgrade in 1957-1958 may not be true.
The base facilities continued to deteriorate during that time and Korean War
structures were still used. New cinder-block buildings did not start to appear
until the early 1960s -- just prior to the Pueblo Crisis. Personnel who were
at Kunsan in the 1957-1959 period do not recall such a major construction. The
north-south runway was started by the 808th EAB in 1953 and completed in 1954
by the 841st EAB and they were the ones that constructed the original 9,000 ft
runway. The 6170th may have affected some runway repairs, but the money for
projects were scarce and NO MONEY would have been spent on a backwater dive
like Kunsan. (SEE
Caretaker Years
for details.)
Until the late 1960's, though, Kunsan remained relatively dormant, hosting
temporary deployments of flying units and serving as a safe haven base for
aircraft evacuated from Okinawa and Guam during typhoons. In 1965, the Republic
of Korea Air Force assigned a squadron of F-86 fighters to the base. This ROKAF
unit was the only permanently assigned flying contingent at Kunsan until after
the Pueblo incident in 1968.
The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying the F-100 Super Sabre, arrived at
Kunsan in July 1968, as part of the buildup of forces in Korea in the wake of
the February 1968 seizure of the USS Pueblo by the North Koreans. In 1969 the
wing began a transition from the F-100 to the F-4 Phantom. The 354th remained
until June 1970, when the base again returned to hosting temporary deployments,
such as the four-month deployment of the 54th Tactical Fighter Wing from June
through October 1970.
(SITE NOTE: The 354th TFW did NOT fly F-100s. It was the cover group for the
ANG F-100s that were brought over to replace the 4th TFW which returned to
Seymour Johnson after the Pueblo Crisis was defused. THE BASE DID NOT HAVE
ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT AND WHEN THE ANG ONE-YEAR ACTIVE SERVICE WAS UP THE F-100s
DEPARTED. (SEE
354th TFW
for details.) The transitioning to the F-4 was really by the 475th Det 1
which supported the nuclear alert in the Christmas Tree area with monthly
deployments from MISAWA. (SEE
Det 1 475th TFW
for details.)