• 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

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For info on Kunsan City be sure to visit, Kunsan City: NOW! . The page is filled with information and photos of the ever-expanding city.

Kunsan City at Night

Kunsan City Skyline

Kunsan City Downtown

Escort Seoul Map
(Click on Map to Enlarge)

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.

• Flight Arrival Information -- Getting to Kunsan
• Life in Korea: Trains -- Information on the train lines.
• Seoul Subway Map
• Honamson Bldg, Seoul Express Terminal: Seoul-Kunsan schedule
• 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
• Kunsan AB-Osan AB Bus schedule: -- Yongsan/Osan connections.
• Wolfpack Wheels schedule: Kunsan-Osan
• Tour 2 Korea: Kunsan Airport -- cost/time to various locations via bus/taxi
• Tour 2 Korea: Gunsan Ferry Information

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) Kunsan AB map (1998) . KUNSAN AB BASE MAP AAFES Facilities : 1. Main Store (BX) On-line Shopping 2. Barber Shop (Moved to Seabreeze) 3. Beauty Shop (Moved to Seabreeze) 4. Bicycle Shop 5. Cafeteria (1004) 6. Concession Arcade 7. Food Court (1004) 8. Garage/Filling Station 9. AT&T Internet Surf Shop 10. Laundry Cleaning 11. Taxi Maintenance Garage 12. MCSS Military Car Sales 13. Photo Shop 14. Theater Theater Schedule 15. Taxi Service 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 information (Air Force Crossroads) . This is a first-stop information source for relocation or other family-oriented questions. 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.) Additional Information: 8th Fighter Wing Fact Sheet Official History of Kunsan AB The following extracted from GlobalSecurity.org: Kunsan . Kunsan Air Base 35°55'N, 126°37'E 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

(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.)

(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.)

(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.