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This page is graphically intense with long load times due to photos. However, the photos and narratives by the men who served at Osan Air Base makes the wait well worthwhile. The opinions expressed are those of the author and in no way represents any official statement of Osan AB or the USAF. 
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Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Jack Terwiel, Capt, USAF (Ret) of the Osan Retired Activities Office and Curly Knepp, Maj, USAF (Ret) for photos of base (past and present) and Ken Shallenbarger (1990). Special thanks to Jackie Turner, 7th AF Historian, and John Okonski, 51st FW Historian, for their assistance with photos and guidance on the history of Osan AB. Special thanks to Ken Shallenbarger (1990). Thanks to Lee Hak-jun for his 1993 photos of the Shinjang area. Thanks to the 36th Fiends site for the use of its materials dealing with the 36th TFS. Thanks to the 51st FW History Office for use of their photos. Special thanks to Ms. Jin Dal-lae of the Jisan-dong Ward Office for taking the time to research and provide historical materials on Songtan and Pyongtaek. Much of the information on Pyongtaek and the Songtan area extracted from the Pyeongtaek History, Pyeongtaek Si Sa. Thanks to the Songbuk Elementary School for permission to use their photos from their private collection.  View of Osan AB (USAF Photo) THIS IS A WORK IN-PROGRESS AND FACTS ARE BEING ADDED/DELETED DURING THIS PROCESS. THIS IS NOT A COMPLETED HISTORY.
1990Commander, 51st Tactical Fighter Wing, Osan AB: Col. Thomas R. Case, July 17, 1990 -- June 23, 1992Songtan Education On 10 Oct 1988, the Taegwang High School had 15 normal classes and 15 commerce classes for their students. However, the class sizes were decreasing. By 18 Sep 1990, the Taegwang High School operated 12 normal classes and 12 commerce classes, with 6 classes for completer information management. This reflected the declining family sizes throughout the ROK that impacted all the schools nationwide.
The Changing Bar Scene of Songtan According to the Pyeongtaek History, 1990 was a turning point for the bars of Songtan. At that time the bars could no longer attract Korean bar girls to the clubs as they could earn more than double (or triple) the amounts in Korean clubs in Seoul. All that was left in the Songtan bars were the aging Korean bar girls. The bar owners found it difficult to attract younger girls to work in their bars -- except for those bargirls who were clamoring to get out of their contracts come to Songtan from Kunsan. In addition, the bar owners complained that they could not earn a living given the rising costs of paying for bar girls as well as a downturn from the free-spending days of the past. As a result, the bars turned to the importation of Russian and Filipina women to work in the bars. At first the bar owners attempted to treat these foreign bar girls as Korean bar girls, but there were too many cultural problems. The cost of importing these girls required upfront money placing a further financial burden on the bar owners.
  (L) Songtan Shopping Area: Playboy Custom Tailor (R) Pacific Hotel and New Seoul Hotel (1990) (Bill Strouse)   Songtan Shopping Area: Mike's All Season (1990) (Bill Strouse)   (L) New Main Gate (R) Jerry Williams, Len Denton, Joe VC Jr, and Hal Davey at Pacific Hotel (1990) (Bill Strouse) Kwangju Trip
The following are photos of a trip to Kwangju by Ken Shallenbarger posted to the Osan Retired Activities Office. The photos give a good comparison as to the changes in the Cholla provinces to the south. In the 1960s, the road was dirt and a dust bowl in summer and a mud hole in the rainy season. The photos show the improvements from a dirt road in the 1960s to a paved highway -- albeit two lane -- that made travel feasible. Along the way, the "service station" (rest stops) were necessities as these were the only places with toilets. Along the long stretches of road in the sparsely populated mountain areas it was not uncommon to see cars pulled off to the side of the road for a "pit stop." Also gone were the "choga chip" the farmer mud wattle homes as the farmers switched to brick structures. The "vinyl houses" were now standard for growing vegetables.
Flooding Between 11-12 Aug 1990 there was a large flood in the area.
 36th TFS (USAF Photo) 36th TFS Deployments
(Source: 36th Fiends History.)
36TFS Developments Received new LANTIRN-equipped F-16C Block 42 aircraft in June 1990. These are equipped with the F100-PW-220 engine. Initial batch of F-16Cs transferred to 8th TFW at Kunsan. (See General Dynamics F-16 Info.)
The next major Fighting Falcon production block was Block 40/42, sometimes also known as the "Night Falcon" because of its enhanced night/all-weather capabilities. F-16 Accidents On 21 Jul 1990 an F-16 with a brake malfunction crashed into a parked C-130 on the MAC ramp. On 13 Aug 1990 an F-16 departs runway due to brake failure. (Source: 36th Fiends History.) Collapse of the Communist Empire: On the international scene, the total collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe, dissolution of Warsaw pacts, and the eventual break up of the Soviet Union changed the face of the U.S. military in Korea. The Cold War was over and North Korea's Russian benefactor was broke. China was asking North Korea for oil payments in hard currency only. North Korea did not appear to be a viable threat. Planned US Reduction of Forces: America started to make plans to disassemble its forces. At first, the American forces were slated for a 25% reduction, but the South Korean government still feared North Korean intentions. Korea wished the American forces to stay. Talks between the ROK Minister of National Defense and US Secretary of Defense were conducted. The treaty on creating JUSMAG-K was concluded. In January 1990, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney announced the closing of three of the five United States air bases in South Korea and schedule the withdrawal of about two thousand air force personnel. One month later, Seoul accepted Washington's intention to withdraw about five thousand noncombatant troops from the American force of more than forty-three thousand soldiers in South Korea. In April 1990, the Bush administration sent a troop reduction plan, based on the Nunn-Warner East Asia Strategy Evaluation Report, to the US Congress. At first, the American forces were slated for a 25% reduction, but the South Korean government still feared North Korean intentions and was opposed to the 'high' rate of reduction. It preferred instead a more gradual rate of reduction. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was renegotiated in 1990 with a significant increase in the Korean portion of the defense expenditures. Seoul accepted Washington's intention to withdraw about 5,000 noncombatant troops from the American force of more than 43,000 soldiers in South Korea as part of Phase One of its plan. At the end of 1990, 39,317 American military remained in Korea. The original plan called for 2,000 Air Force and 5,000 non-combat ground troops would be withdrawn from Korea starting in 1991 and completed by 1993. At the end of 1990, 39,317 American military remained in Korea. Phase Two of the original plan planned to reduce the troop strength in Korean to about 30,000 between 1994-1995. Unfortunately, the North Korean nuclear crisis that pushed the peninsula to the brink of war stopped the implementation. This crisis shelved any further troop reduction plans and since that time there have been no changes to the manning in Korea. Since 1993, the troop strength has remained at about 37,000 without further talks of troop withdrawals until 2003 when the US in frustration with its "reluctant ally" unilaterally removed 3,600 men of the 2d Bde 2d ID to Iraq ostensibly as part of its move to relocate its troops south of the Han River. Tensions over Tunnel 4: The tensions between the north showed some progress. The first South-North high-level talks were held in Seoul. However, the discovery of Tunnel No. 4 soon cooled discussions. There had been persistent complaints of sounds of digging in the northern provinces but there was nothing discovered. Desert Storm: Desert Storm erupted. For the Koreans, the working-level negotiation team and on-the-spot investigation team were dispatched to Saudi Arabia with a mission to prepare for dispatching a medical care support team to Gulf War. The ROK Armed Forces Medical Care Support Group was dispatched to the Gulf. The medical team was sent to the south of Saudi Arabia far away from the combat zones. 1991
Assault in Songtan-shi According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 4 Apr 1992, four drunken soldiers assaulted Yan Chong-song (29) in Songtan-shi in the Shinjang area after he confronted the four soldiers by sticking his head out of an open window. The individuals smashed Mr. Yan's face into the glass. Mr. Yan required 10 days of hospitalization and suffered a heart attack. He moved away from the area to Saektong after the incident. Outcome of the incident is unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") 36 TFS Developments
(Source: 36th Fiends History.)
ROK and DPRK join the UN Together In August 1991, South Korea joined the United Nations along with North Korea. The joint entry into the UN was a direct result of Roh Tae-woo's "Northern Openess" campaign which sought to open communications channels to start the process of reunification. In a major initiative on July 7, 1988, South Korean President Roh Tae Woo called for new efforts to promote exchanges, family reunification, inter-Korean trade, and contact in international fora. President Roh called on Korea's friends and allies to pursue contacts with the North, and said that the South intended to seek better relations with the U.S.S.R. and China.
1992Commander, 51st Wing, Osan AB: Brig. Gen. Robert G. Jenkins, June 23, 1992 -- Jan. 31, 1994Population (1992) -- Pyongtaek-Songtan: 289,966 (Source: Population: Korea)  Services at Shin Hung Presbyterian Church in Seomi-ri. Shin Hung Church is the oldest church in Songtan dating to 1952. (1992) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))  40th Anniversary Services at Shin Hung Presbyterian Church. (20 Sep 1992) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))   (L) Songbuk Elementary School Main Gate (Jul 1992) (NOTE: This is looking from the street into the school grounds.) (R) Sports Day (1992) (Songbuk Elementary School)  Teacher lecturing with students at wooden desks (1992) (Songbuk Elementary School) Education On Osan AB, Building 252 was constructed during the summer of 1992 for seventh and eight grade students. These students were previously bussed to Seoul American High School along with students in grades 9 to 12. These two grade levels were moved to the Osan American High School when it opened in 1995. Sixth grade classrooms are located in Building 252. (Source: Osan American Elementary School)  Osan Standard for Off-base Establishments (1992) This guide set the guidelines for off-limits violations. It included the requirement to have any FEMALE employee submit their photo to the base. Activists took offense with this in 2005, but it actually was nothing more than a VD check requirement for the hospital to identify bar girls for monthly checks. In 2005, the ROK media and NGO activist groups attempted to make this book an issue, but it bombed. (See Korea Times, Controversy Rises Over US Military Jurisdiction on Local Bar District, 17 Mar 2005) (SeeA-town Pages) Prostitution in Songtan In the spring of 1992, a Korean Protestant minister who serves the prostitute community in Songt'an commented that prostitution and related businesses support 60% of Songt'an's economy. (Conversations with Rev. Han, Songtan City, May 1992 by Katharine H.S. Moon.) On the surface, simple market economics--"where the boys are"-- has dictated the number of prostitutes and high density areas of military prostitution. When troops are withdrawn or redeployed, as in the early 1970s, the women and other kijich'on residents pick up their wares and move to where the soldiers resettle (chapter 3). Since 1990, Songt'an's R&R business life has been growing because the Eighth Army headquarters, which had been in Seoul since the permanent stationing of U.S. troops in Korea, was scheduled to move in. I felt the heartbeat of this kijich'on throbbing with vigor when I visited Songt'an several times throughout the spring of 1992. It is the only kijich'on that is booming with loud music and thriving with business transactions even in the daytime. Its nightclub alleys, marketplace, and souvenir shops are filled with the hustle and bustle of Koreans and Americans, whereas most of the camptowns in the Paju area, that had housed the highest concentration of U.S. troops from 1953 to 1971--it was called the"GI's Kingdom" (Source: Yangk'i ko hom, pp. 74-75) --now resemble sleepy shantytowns in the day and come to life slowly only at night. Besides Osan and American Town in Kunsan, Tongduch'on and Uijongbu are the two major R&R areas left; the latter two cater mostly to the 2d ID, the only U.S. army division remaining in Korea since 1971. Camptown residents and former prostitutes themselves acknowledge the significance of the U.S. troop count in their lives. They noted in conversations with me that the number of kijich'on prostitutes declined substantially in the late 1970s as a reaction to the Carter administration's crusade to withdraw U.S. troops completely from South Korea. But Koreans have also noted that with the Reagan administration's increase in the number of troops, beginning in 1984, the number of prostitutes also increased. (Source: Editorial Board, Tosô, Publishers, Sarang ûi P'umasi,(Love for Sale), p. 94). (SOURCE: Sex Among Allies: Military Prostitution in U.S./Korea Relations, by Katharine H.S. Moon.) ROK offers Incentives for Songtan Industrial Complex (Mokgok-dong) Government policies were molded to attract companies -- especially foreign industries -- to resettle in designated industrial zones. Tax breaks and reduced land prices were incentives offered by the ROK government. Business investing on a large-scale will be given special incentives including designation of the investment areas as a Foreign Investment Zone, foundation facilities, financial support to help cover development costs and tax reductions - Criteria : a) Companies investing at least USD 50 million. b) Companies that hold at least 50% of the shares in the invested company and have at least 1,000 full-time employees c) Companies investing aat least USD30 million and having at least 300 full-time employees in all or part of a national or local industrial complex. Criteria of renting or purchasing state propertyDevelopment of the land was under way under the Korea Land Development Corporation for the Songtan Industrial Complex in Mokgok-dong. Also involved were the government agencies for rural development as an alternative to farming due to the projected opening of the rice markets in 2004. Mostly small-middle sized Seoul factories relocated to the area because of the rising cost-of-living was driving its profits down. (NOTE: At this time, the move to China as an option for cheap labor was not feasible as the ROK still maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan. It would sever ties with Taiwan in 1992 because of the growing business pressure to expand into China.) One of the first to move was Shiheung Timber Co. which relocated its plant from Osan to its new Songtan plant in 1991. Another was the Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Co. specializing in Oriental medicines which completed construction of its first factory facility in 1990 and its factory in 1992. During this time period, Kyonggi Province started to work in expanding its industrial complexes concentrating on small- and medium-sized businesses in high-tech and technology-intensive industries. Industrial zones
ROK establishes Diplomatic Relations with China (Aug 92) Republic of China and the ROK established diplomatic relations on 24 August 1992. The immediate impact was the departure of Chinese who were leaving the country making Inchon's "China Town" a deserted ghost town. The ROK was one of the last of the supporters of the Taiwan government but ROK businesses clamored for the opening of the Chinese markets -- and most wanted to set up plants in China to take advantage of the cheap labor -- as well as get in on the ground floor of what appeared to be a blossoming consumer market. It was an essential move that served the interests of both nations. The first companies to move to China were the larger Chaebols, but they immediately experienced problems with Chinese labor in technological sophistication. Some areas proved to be very difficult to move the processes over without educating the workers. Low-tech industries transitioned very easily to the Chinese markets. Within a short period of time, there were great concerns that the job market in Korea would suffer as more and more businesses moved to China. As the costs in Korea continued to rise, more and more small and medium sized businesses moved their operations to China. The effect was that the faltering of the decentralization drive to move the industries out of the high-cost Seoul and other metropolitan areas to places such as the Kyonggi-do areas. Instead of relocating to the country-side, the businesses were moving to China. The government worked to improve the infrastructure in the 1990s (roads, rail and shipping) to make the moves more attractive, but progress was slow. For the Pyeongtaek area, the growth was minimal. There was an initial spurt as areas were reclaimed and new apartments were built in Osan, Pyeongtaek, and Songtan as well as new schools for this expanded population -- but soon the construction contracts moved to other areas and the growth in Pyeongtaek faltered. The major problem was that there still was no infrastructure to support more growth. Most of the factories moving into the area were relying on foreign workers to assume the burden for reducing labor costs. Many of the agricultural based industries (chicken and dairy farms) turned to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia and Thailand for their labor force. The net result was that though small and mid-sized businesses were moving into the area, they were reliant on foreign labor work force. Because of this there was an initial spurt in population in the mid-1990s to 300,000 people, but then it stagnated. No major apartment complexes built until the early 2000s. By the mid-2000s, major apartment complexes were again being built in the Songtan and Anjung areas based on projected growth within the industrial areas because of the opening of the Pyeongtaek Harbor facilities as one of the three national harbors. Later as Kim Il-sung pushed the nuclear threat to the point of a shooting war in 1994, China became a very important political ally in controlling North Korea's threat to destabilize the entire region. After establishing ties with China in Aug 1992, it took the final step and severed ties with Taiwan in Nov 1992. The ROK had been one of the last to sever its ties with its long-time ally -- allowing the ROC U2 to fly its missions from ROK bases dating back to the mid-1950s. The Taiwan embassy property was transferred to the Chinese but other private properties that the Taiwan government owned were allowed to remain in the Taiwan possession. The Taiwan embassy was reduced to a trade mission -- that continued to lure ROK joint business ventures and especially in manufacturing of military items. However, because of the growing influence of China politically in the dealings with North Korea, the Taiwan influence diminished greatly. 51st TFW becomes 51st Wing In Feb 1992, the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 51st Wing and transitioned from the old "tri-deputate" system into the resurrected "group" structure. On October 1, 1993 it was redesignated the 51st Fighter Wing. (Source: Global Security.org.) Added note is that the 51st FW won the Colombian Award in 1992 for the U.S. Air Force fighter wing which has made the most outstanding contributions to flight safety. Taegu Reopens as a "Follow-on" Site under 51st FW Taegu stopped being an active base in 1989. In 1992 the US government changed the status of three US air bases in Korea. Kwang Ju Air Base, Suwon Air Base and Taegu Air Base -- previously announced as ending operations -- would instead operate at reduced levels. There is a small BX/Shoppette, snack bar, gym and other typical amenities available. The commissary is at Camp Walker (8 miles and 30 minutes drive across town). There is no dining facility and all personnel receive BAS. Along with the Korean Air Force (ROKAF), there are 110-120 army personnel stationed here. The units occupy the base's fenced-off U.S. compound, also known as K-2, a South Korean Air Force installation that shares space with commercial Taegu Airport. In wartime, K-2 would "balloon" into a full-scale combat air base that would house a U.S. Air Force fighter wing. Besides combat aircraft, planeload after planeload would touch down at K-2 and disgorge the Air Force troops and equipment needed to set up and staff that wing. Pilots, medics and mechanics, the full spectrum of air wing personnel slots, would arrive. The 51st Fighter Wing, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, maintains and administers US operations at Osan and five collocated operating bases -- Taegu, Suwon, Kwang Ju, Kimhae and Cheong Ju – for reception and beddown of follow-on forces. The Wing's 51st Logistics Support Squadron plans, programs and initiates actions for the rapid reception and beddown of US forces deploying to the Republic of Korea during contingencies or wartime by maintaining five collocated operating bases and seven munitions storage sites. The 607th Support Squadron was set up in the summer of 2001 to provide airfield-support services to the Army’s elite Company E, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) helicopter unit, which ferries special-operations troops into combat on covert, long-distance missions, even at night and in bad weather. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org 6th Air Intelligence Squadron Redesignated 7th Air Operations Squadron On 1 October 1981, the unit was reactivated as the 6th Tactical Intelligence Group (6 TIG), at Osan Air Base. It was tasked to provide substantive Intelligence support to U.S. and Combined Forces Combat (CFC). The 6 TIG thus brought together Intelligence collection, analysis, targeting, production, and dissemination assets assigned to the 314th Air Division of Fifth Air Force and the KOREAN Tactical Air Control System. In February 1992, the group became part of the 51st Fighter Wing under the 5th Air Control Group and was redesignated the 6th Air Intelligence Squadron (6 AINS). Later that same year the 6 AINS fell under operational control of Seventh Air Force (7AF) and 5th Air Control Group. On 1 October 1993, the unit was redesignated the 7th Air Operations Squadron and fell under the 7th Air Operations Group. On 15 December 1994, 7 AF reorganized, creating the 607th Air Intelligence Group (607 AIG). The squadron was then redesignated on that date as the 607th Air Intelligence Squadron (607 AIS) and subordinate to the 607 AIG, along with the 303d Intelligence Squadron, which is under operational control of the 607 AIG. (Source: Wikipedia.) 607th ASOG Acquires Peninsula-wide Weather Mission After reactivation in 1980, the 607th Air Support Operations Group's [607th ASOG] primary focus has been supporting the Korean Theater Air Control System. The 607th ASOG's mission is to provide the Seventh Air Force and Air Component Commander with an unbeatable theater air control system, execute unmatched command and control, weather, and radar support over technologically advanced communications connectivity, and apply air power to meet the CINC's objectives through control of air assets in support of theater forces. The 607 ASOG is primarily responsible for supporting the Korean Theater Air Control System (KTACS) by maintaining ground radar sites, with air and tactical air support provided by a tactical air control center, air support operations center, forward air controllers, tactical air control parties, as well as providing weather support, all tied together with communications personnel and equipment. Additionally, the 607 ASOG is responsible for reception, staging, operations, and integration of all joint command and control augmenting forces in the Korean theater. In February 1992, the group acquired the Korean peninsula weather mission (607th Weather Squadron, Yongsan), which it still holds today, and the Korea-wide intelligence mission, which it held until 15 December 1994. (NOTE: Intel transferred to 303rd Intelligence Squadron, Osan AB.) Today, the 607th Air Support Operations Group has units throughout Korea, at Osan Air Base, Yongsan Army Garrison, Camps Humphreys, Red Cloud, Stanley, Casey, Walker, Page and Stanton Army Installations, including the Third Republic of Korea Air Liason Office (TROKA-ALO) . (Source: GlobalSecurity.org: 607th ASOG.) U-2 Lost in Sea of Japan 68-10332 art.#054 Lost on 15 January 1992 in Sea of Japan. U-2R went down in Sea of Japan off coast of Korea. USAF Pilot: Capt. Marty McGregor was killed, his body was found by Korean Fisherman. No other details. (Source: Blackbirds: U-2 Tail Number) This incident is recounted in the 5th RS History. (Source: Blackbirds: Blackcats) According to the New York Times on 16 Jan 1992, "An American U-2 spy plane was lost at sea today while on a reconnaissance mission south of the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea, Pentagon officials said. The fate of the pilot was unknown. The loss of the plane "was not due to a hostile act," the Pentagon spokesman, Pete Williams, said in a brief interview. The Pentagon said in a statement that the plane was "conducting a routine mission in sovereign airspace of South Korea with that Government's knowledge and approval." "But a Defense Department official said the planes, which carry sophisticated photographic and electronic reconnaissance gear, also routinely monitor troop movements north of the demilitarized zone. The missing plane was on such a reconnaissance mission, said the official, who insisted on not being identified. The U-2 had taken off from and was scheduled to return to Osan Air Base south of Seoul, said Maj. Barbara Carr of the Strategic Air Command. It lost radio and radar contact with United States military trackers over the Sea of Japan and went down off the east coast of the peninsula at 5:30 A.M. Eastern standard time, which is early evening in Korea. The Air Force planned to dispatch search planes at daybreak on Thursday.President Bush was notified of the crash while campaigning in New Hampshire, said the White House spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater. "They don't know why it went down," Mr. Fitzwater said. "The fixed-wing aircraft, essentially a powered glider with a wing span of 103 feet, carries a one-man crew. It has a range of more than 4,000 miles and is listed by the Air Force as having an altitude capability as "above 70,000 feet." The exact figure is classified. The U-2 planes are stationed around the world as detachments of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing out of Beale Air Force Base in California.  51st FW
51st Fighter Wing Designated In February 1992, the wing was redesignated the 51st Wing and on October 1, 1993 it was redesignated the 51st Fighter Wing. The 7th Air Force and 51st Fighter Wing Headquarters buildings are located at the base of the now famous Hill 180. Today, Osan Air Base covers 1,565 acres. One of its most prominent features is it's 9,000-feet runway.
 31st SOS 31st Special Operations Squadron Arrives at Osan AB The 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena AB is the squadron's parent unit. The squadron will use its MH-53J Pave Low III helicopters for humanitarian flights and classified night missions. The Pave Low is a long-range, all-weather helicopter capable of flying at very low altitudes through zero-visibility weather. (NOTE: The 31st SOS was assigned to Osan in 1992, but officially it arrived at Osan AB on 13 Mar 1993.)
Team Spirit Shelved: The Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that it would not carry out the Team Spirit Exercise in 1992. This was the an attempt to appease the North Koreans and hopefully defuse the nuclear inspection situation with North Korea. The main reason was the sabre rattling done by the North Koreans that were threatening to derail any of the negotiations going on to open dialogues between the two countries. The Team Spirit Exercises first started in 1976 have not been held since.
1993 Songbuk Elementary School (1993) (Songbuk Elementary School) (NOTE: Notice right-hand building four-stories and left is three-stories.) Jisan Elementary School Opens (Jun 1993) Jisan Elementary School opened on 1 Jun 1993 in a five story building built in the area that was carved out of the Jisan Hill to obtain fill to construct the apartments and Route 1. Just below the school was where Boduchang (Paradise Lake) used to be -- but had been drained to make way for the new construction. The design is the standard Korean model that has a long hallway with classrooms along one side of the hall. In the front there is a large playground that is surrounded by concrete tiers. The playground became an immediate favorite adult soccer players for their Sunday games. In the evenings, the residents of the surrounding apartments use it for an exercise area.   2005 (L) Defunct Amusement Park (Aug 2005) (Kalani O'Sullivan) (R) Rear of Jisan Elementary School (Aug 2005) (Kalani O'Sullivan) (NOTE: The weeping willows are seen to the far right on the boundary.) Railroad Track area of Shinjang-dong The following photos are from Baraboda.net: Lee Hak-Jun. Lee Hak-Jun took these photos of the back alley track area in the Shinjang area in May 1993. (Nikon FM2, 35~105mm f3.5~4.5, vivitar 75~300 f4.5~5.6) Mr. Lee wrote in May 2005, "One of my intention to take and collect photos is to record history with my own eyes. I'm quite pleased to receive your letter, that my photo collection can be of a little help to your work."          2005:(L) Alleyway with Railspur (R) Alleyway along railspur (with same Laundry Shop as in 1993 photo) Companies Start Moving into Songtan Industrial Complex (Mokgok-dong) More companies established factories in the Songtan Industrial Area drawn by government policies to attract companies -- especially foreign industries -- to resettle in designated industrial zones. Tax breaks and reduced land prices were incentives by the ROK government. The advantage of the Pyongtaek/Songtan area was its close proximity to Seoul. Many companies were attracted to move out of Seoul to the "suburbs" to take advantage of reduced cost-of-living which in turn meant lower labor costs. An example of one such company relocating to the area was the F.G.F. company manufacturing pants and shirts. F.G.F'S SONGTAN FACTORY Since SBW D'urban Co., Ltd. Established a factory in the Kyungkido, Puchun area on March 1986, it has produced pants, shirts, blousons, etc., The company quickly grew and in October 1993, we bought land in the Kyungkido area and built the Songtan factory complex. The Songtan factory is greatly automated and has the latest apparel manufacturing facilities and Korea's best warehouse. The latest equipment has resulted in highly skilled technicians who have accumulated know-how and are dedicated to be the best in the world. It's location only 50minutes from Seoul ensures ready access to Korea's best capital market and aforesaid unlimited expansion possibilities. FACILITIES 6,082 square meters (factories-2,072 square meters, dormitory and cafeteria) PRODUCTION CAPABILITY pants 450/day shirts 450/dayAnother example is the ACE NET Inc. which also moved to the Songtan Industrial Area in 1993. It acquired the plant site in Aug 1990 and moved to the Songtan plant in Dec 1992. As part of the "special incentives" from the government, it was designated to offer special exemption from Military Service in Suwon City in Dec 1993. Another example was the Saelim Co. Ltd. that completed the construction of its plant in Sep 1992. 51st Wing becomes 51st Fighter Wing In Feb 1992, the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 51st Wing and transitioned from the old "tri-deputate" system into the resurrected "group" structure. On October 1, 1993 it was redesignated the 51st Fighter Wing. The overall responsibility for directing the mission falls upon the wing commander. The job of achieving mission goals is divided among the wing’s four groups. The 51st Operations Group leads and manages the 51st FW’s flying operations, tasked with air strike control, interdiction, counterair, close air support, air rescue and operational airlift missions. The group provides supervision for two fighter squadrons, a rescue flight, an airlift flight, two range squadrons and the operations support squadron. The 36th Fighter Squadron performs air interdiction, close air support, and counter-air missions with LANTIRN (low altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) equipped F-16C/D model fighters. The 25th Fighter Squadron uses A/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs to conduct day and night flying operations on air strike control, close air support, interdiction and combat search and rescue missions. The Operations Support Squadron is responsible for training, weapons and tactics, intelligence, plans, airfield management, weather observation and air traffic control for the entire 51st Operations Group. The 51st Support Group provides wartime readiness, survivability and ground base defense for Osan AB through civil engineering, security police, air base operability, explosive ordnance disposal, communications, recreation and services, and personnel assets. The 51st SPTG develops and enforces policies providing mission support to more than 10,000 people at 122 units. The 51st Medical Group provides medical and dental care to the wing community and its geographically separated units. Its unique hospital, the first of its kind in the world, contains more than 92,000 square feet and is capable of sustained operation in a chemical environment. Its 30-bed peacetime capacity accommodates 245 patients in its wartime configuration. The 51st Logistics Group is responsible for a myriad of logistics concerns. As of 1999 the 51st Maintenance Squadron provided intermediate maintenance for 28 LANTIRN F-16s, 21 A/OA-10s, an HH-60 and five MH-53 helicopters, as well as tenant U-2S aircraft [as of 1996, there were 30 LANTIRN F-16s, 21 A/OA-10s, 2 HH-60 and 5 MH-53 helicopters]. The squadron also maintains 636 pieces of Aerospace Ground Equipment and repair/calibrate 6,537 items of precision measurement equipment. The 51st Transportation Squadron controls and maintains a 2,400 vehicle daily use and war reserve material fleet. The squadron also provides traffic management support for all air and surface movements of materiel and personnel. The 51st supply Squadron provides supplies, equipment and fuel to a "fight in place" combat wing and manages $700 million worth of accountable assets. The 51st Logistics Support Squadron plans, programs and initiates actions for the rapid reception and beddown of U.S. forces deploying to the Republic of Korea during contingencies or wartime by maintaining five collocated operating bases and seven munitions storage sites. About 215 aircraft armament systems specialists assigned throughout the 51st Operations Group, 25th Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Squadron and 51st Maintenance Squadron make sure the aircraft at Osan are not just flying around the skies, but are fully capable weapons systems. Since different aircraft carry different munitions, weapons loaders must get certified on the aircraft and munitions at each of their duty stations. That’s where 51st OG Weapons Standardization Section comes in. Weapons loaders spend a week training with the section after arriving at Osan. Members qualify or re-qualify and train following Osan-specific weapons guidelines. (Source: Global Security.org.) As an added note, the 51st FW again won the Colombian Award in 1993 for the U.S. Air Force fighter wing which has made the most outstanding contributions to flight safety. The 51st FW had previously won the award in 1992. 6903 Electronic Security Group becomes the 303rd Intelligence Squadron (Skivvy Nine) On 1 Oct 1993, the 6903rd Electronic Security Group became the 303rd Intelligence Squadron. Skivvy Niners have a dual role of intelligence collection and dissemination to both commanders for decision making and warfighting units for situation awareness. The unit handles the direct download links from the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. The 303rd IS, popularly known as "Skivvy Nine," has one of the most challenging and exciting missions in the air intelligence world. The unit was originally formed as a detachment of the 1st Radio Squadron Mobile at Johnson Air Base, Japan, on Nov. 20, 1950. The unit was readied for immediate deployment to Korea in response to the invasion of the South Korea by North Korean forces. Following several redesignations during the Korean War, the unit was finally designated as a detachment of the 15th RSM and moved to Osan in April 1953. In Nov. 1954, however, it again became Det. 1 of the 1st RSM. In May 1955, when the 15th was redesignated the 6922nd, the detachment at Osan became Det. 1 of the 6922nd. In Oct. 1958 it became the 6929th RSM and was assigned to the 6902nd Special Communications Group. In Dec. 1958 it was transferred back to the 6922nd. In July 1963 it became the 6929th Security Squadron and in April 1970 it was designated Det. 1, Pacific Security Region. In May 1970 it gained squadron status as the 6903rd Security Squadron. The unit was designated a Group in 1981 and remained as such until 1993 when it was designated the 303rd IS, under the 692nd Intelligence Group, the 67th Intelligence Wing, and the Air Intelligence Agency. Over the years, many people have contributed to Skivvy Nine's "can-do" reputation. In 1951 the unit won its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Korean Streamer Award. Since then the unit has garnered more than 10 AFOUAs. In 1974 the 6903rd SS was presented the Freedom Through Vigilance award as security service's top unit. In 1979 the unit won the coveted Travis Trophy, an annual award presented to the most outstanding U.S. Cryptologic Agency of the Defense Department, and received honorable mention for the same award in 1994. The unit was the Air Force nominee for the Travis Trophy again in 1996. The 303rd IS won the Large Unit Air Force Outstanding Maintenance award in 1982. In 1994 and 1996, Skivvy Nine won the U.S. Air Force Top Ground-Based Cryptologic Unit award. (Source: USAFSS Units: Note #6) (SEE 303rd IS (SKIVVY NINE) for articles on the mission of the 303rd IS in 1999.)
36 TFS Development 21 Jan 1993 Deployed 6 aircraft to Kadena for DACT with the F-15s. (Source: 36th Fiends History.) 19 TASS Inactivated The 19th Tactical Air Control Squadron flying OV-10A Broncos 51st Fighter Group (later the 51st Operations Group) since 1 Oct 1990 was inactivated on 1 October 1993. The history of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light) (19 TASS) dates back to WWII The Squadron, redesignated the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light), was reactivated on 17 June 1963, and was organized on 8 July 1963 at Bien Hoa AB, RVN. Briefly inactive between August and October of 1964, the Squadron O-1s, O-2s and OV-10As as Forward FACs remained at Bien Hoa until 1 August 1971 when its resources were relocated to Phan Rang AB, RVN, and were incorporated into a unit located there.  25th FS
25th FS Returns The 25th Fighter Squadron flying A-10A Thunderbolts reactivated and reassigned to Osan AB on 1 Oct 1993. The unit was inactivated in the wake of the Nunn-Warner initiative and closure of Suwon AB. However, it was reactivated because of the increasing tension in Korea over the nuclear weapons in North Korea and the need for a weapons platform capable of countering the tank invasion anticipated from the North. The A-10 proved itself in the 1990 Desert Storm as one of the most lethal anti-tank weapons in the US inventory.
 25th FS and 36th FS The 25th Tactical Fighter Squadon, "Assam Dragons," flying Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolts assigned to the 51st TFW and stationed at Suwon AB, ROK until 1989 when it was moved back to Osan AB. The history of the 25th Fighter Squadron dates back to WWII as the 25th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) activated on 15 Jan 1941 where it fought in India and China. After WWII, it converted to F-80s under the 51st Fighter Group. When the Korean War broke out the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was still flying the F-80s at Itazuke AB, Japan and moved to Suwon AB, South Korea in 20 Jul 1951 where it converted to the F-86 under the 51st Fighter Wing. 31st SOS Moves to Osan The 31st Special Operations Squadron moved to Osan AB from Futenma MCAS, Okinawa with its MH-53 Pavelow helicopters. When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, burying much of Clark Air Base in volcanic ash, the squadron moved to Futenma Marine Corps Air Station on Okinawa, from where it operated until moving to Osan in 1992. (SEE 2001 for departure of unit.) Murder on Osan AB According to the Pyeongtaek History, in July 1993, an American Davis (?) was accused of murdering 2 American sons. No other details were available. Outcome of the incident is unknown. As the incident occurred on-base amongst SOFA individuals, the US retained jurisdiction in this case. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") North Korea Nuclear Tension: Tension levels remained high at the 8th TFW over nuclear issues. In 1993 North Korea was believed to possess weapons-grade plutonium, though it had not yet succeeded in producing a nuclear bomb. North Korean leaders refused international arms inspectors access to some facilities and withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Typical of North Korea's methods of "brinkmanship", it pushed the world to the brink of war. The rhetoric of the North turned away from reconciliation and reunification towards a more confrontational and aggressive stance. Squeezing money and aid for promises of nuclear inspection, the North continued to play its nuclear trump card. Finally in late 1994, an agreement was reached calling for North Korea to dismantle its nuclear facilities in exchange for nuclear reactors, possibly supplied by South Korea. Though the Clinton administration backed the North down in this confrontation, it came at a dear monetary cost (promises of nuclear generation plants). The problem of who is to pay for what in this four-party agreement (North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and U.S.) is still a ticklish issue today. Surprisingly, in a May 2000 interview with the independent Hankyoreh Daily,
former President Kim Yong-Sam insisted that President Clinton was ready to
strike the North and had moved a carrier into position for a first strike
action. Kim warned the US ambassador another war on the Korean peninsula would
turn all of Korea into a bloodbath, killing between 10 and 20 million people
and destroying South Korea's prosperous economy. "I told him that I would not
move even a single soldier of our 650,000 troops (in case a war broke out
because of the bombing of Yongbyon)," he said to the paper. He called Clinton
and argued with him for "32 minutes." "I told him there would be no
inter-Korean war while I was the president." He went on, Clinton tried to
persuade me to change my mind, but I criticized the United States for planning
to stage a war with the North on our land," he said. He credits former
President Jimmy Carter with conveying to Kim Il-Sung the actual severity of the
issue and bringing about a peaceful resolution. SUWON AB, Korea (AFNS) -- In its first Pacific deployment, the F-117 stealth fighter teamed up with the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB for Team Spirit '93. Several F-117s from the 416th Fighter Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., along with about 90 members of the 49th Fighter Wing, deployed to Korea for a chance to define their capabilities in a different area. U.S. and Republic of Korea forces stationed in Korea as well as other American forces deployed to the area participated in Team Spirit '93, which ends March 19. "Our pilots, maintenance crews and support personnel are receiving valuable experience working with the Kunsan team," said Lt. Col. Robert Marple, 49th FW deployment commander. With air refueling capability, the F-117 supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces. Team Spirit is a joint and combined training exercise designed to test the defensive capabilities of American and South Korean troops. This is the 17th Team Spirit exercise. The 1992 exercise was suspended in hopes of improving North and South Korean ties and reducing tensions on the peninsula. The first Team Spirit was conducted in 1976.
 Kim Young-sam. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
Kim Yong-Sam's Disastrous Presidency: On the national scene, President Kim Yong-Sam was elected in 1993 to serve a
disastrous presidency filled with scandals, collapses of buildings and bridges
with great loss of life, plane crashes, train wrecks, and every catastrophe
imaginable. All that could be said of this presidency was that he threw the
former Presidents Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo to the dogs to save his
political party. They were convicted of accepting bribes and sent to jail.
Right after they were sentenced, his son was sent to prison for extorting money
from businesses.
1994Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB: Brig. Gen. Robert H. Foglesong, Jan. 31, 1994 -- Nov. 21, 1995Education The student population that was increasing in the middle school age group throughout the Songtan area. For example, in 1994, the Taegwang Middle School was expanding. On 20 Feb 1994, 3 classrooms were added. This was reflected as the student population in the area was rapidly increasing because of families moving into the area due to apartment construction along Route 1. (NOTE: Finally in Jan 1998, the Taegwang Middle School project added 19 classrooms. But this expansion was not because of increases in family sizes -- which were actually declining -- but because of the closures of country schools in the area due to the FALLING rural populations.) Flooding in Songtan and Pyongtaek Extreme flooding occurred in Songtan (DFO #1994-085). Flooding encompasses Pyongtaek City, Kyonggi Province; Taean, South Chungchong Province; Yong-in, Kyonggi Province; Songtan City, Kyonggi Province. Flooding due to heavy rainfal from 26 Aug - 30 Aug 1994 for a duration of 5 days. 5 people died and 2,000 people displaced. Class 1 Severity with 200 hectares flooded. (Source: 1995 Flood Archive) Aomori City as Sister City Mar 1994: Songtan City approaches Aomori City via CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) with a view to friendship between the 2 cities; Nov 1994: Mayor of Aomori and a group of 20 delegates visit Songtan, and conclude an agreement to carry out educational and cultural exchanges.; May 1995: Songtan city and adjoining Pyongtaek City and county agree to amalgamate as Pyongtaek City.; Aug 1995: The Mayor of Aomori leads a party on visit to Pyongtaek. The friendship agreement is continued with Pyongtaek.  Main Gate of Osan AB (1994) (Thomas M. Mathewson)  Happy House Burned Down (1994) (Thomas M. Mathewson) Western Style Restaurants Gaining in Popularity According to related industries, Coco's, the beginner for western style family restaurants in Korea, expects increased revenues of 25 billion won this year, up 61% from last year. This is only one example for the boom in western style restaurants in Korea, including TGI Friday, KFC, Lotteria, Hadis, etc. Among them, TGI Friday enjoyed the fastest growth rate and expects about 20 billion won in sales this year, compared to last year's 8 billion won. Lotteria is about to finish the year with record turnover exceeding 100 billion won a year, the first western style restaurant in Korea to achieve that much. Industries expect the trend to continue, as the economy is recovering and more people prefer to dine out. The beginnings of horrible tasting frozen pizzas was soon followed by "real pizzas" under various franchise names throughout Korea. In addition, the younger children started to develop a taste for spaghetti, hamburgers and hotdogs. What had been the exclusive domain of the base for Burger King and other American style foods soon spread throughout the country. (SITE NOTE: Kalani O'Sullivan remember in Kunsan City at the Lemon Date, a popular college-age coffee house restaurant, in 1990 when he first started teaching English in Korea. His students treated him to a "pizza" that turned out to be crust with catsup, melted swiss cheese and hot dogs sliced up. The Koreans were cooking from a picture -- and the Korean students did not know any better as no pizza was available for them to compare -- even on base. It was horrible!!!) Ssangyong To Build Passenger Car Plant In SongtanAccording to the Hankyoreh Shinmun on 14 Dec 94, Ssangyong Motor Co. planned to set up a passenger car plant with an annual manufacturing capacity of 50,000 units in Songtan, with a 240 billion won investment from next year. The company already developed a new passenger car model with a 120 billion won investment and technology of Benz of Germany. Ssangyong was to start building the plant from 1995, to produce passenger cars of 1,800cc, 2,000cc, 2,300cc and 3,200cc. The annual manufacturing capacity of Ssangyong's Songtan plant will be 160,000 cars by the first quarter of 1995 and 210,000 units by 1997. Ssangyong Motor Co. has proceeded with construction of the passenger car plant in the area since 1992, but the business approval has been delayed by the environment examination of the Ministry of Environment. Korea Will Surpass U.S. In Labor Cost From 2000 According to the Lucky Goldstar Economic Research Institute on 14 Dec 1994, a manufacturing company worker in Korea was expected to be paid $13.36 per hour in 2001, compared to $14.53 of a worker in the U.S. The institute used the last three years' average increase ratios for Korea and the U.S. respectively. Workers' growing demands, labor shortage and rising living costs will accelerate wage increases. This projection of the Korean labor force pricing themselves out of the market was the impetus for the manufacturing factories to move to China to avail themselves of lower wages -- much to the distress of the local workers who were going to be left out in the cold. Immediately after the treaty with China was signed, teams from all the chaebols sent teams to investigate the possibility of relocating their processes to China. The conclusion was that the textile and low-tech industries would be moved due to the lack of technical expertise in the Chinese labor force. However, by 2000 joint ventures in auto manufacturing and other high-tech industries were also relocating lured by potential the consumer markets as China seemed to be moving towards a market economy. Mike's Tour of Songtan The following was excerpted from a story by "Mike" who was TDY to Osan AB at the time to teach a class to the ROK military on some equipment: "We spent our first weekend visiting the shops, bars, and restaurants in Song-tan. Now saying that Song-tan is representative of Korea is like saying Tijuana is representative of Mexico or that Jersey City is representative of all of the United States. Unfortunately, many Americans never get much more exposure to Korea than this small village, as many who are stationed over there do not venture far from the base. The first thing you notice about Song-tan is that aside from the Hangul characters on all the signs, it really is not different from Mexico. I mean, if I took Nuevo Laredo and Song-tan and covered up the signs, you would practically see no difference between the marketplaces. In Song-tan, there are a lot of shops where you can buy custom made suits, Starter jackets, Coach purses - you name it. There are also many open-air fish markets in the alley. When we took these pictures, the outside temperature was near 100 degrees. The fish vendors smelled a lot. I was wondering how these old women could sit all day selling this stinky fish, and so I asked one. Turns out that they wear this small necklace in which incense burns, masking the smell of the fish.  Open Market (1994) (Mike Stories) There are also a lot of fruit and vegetables for sale in town there, although we warned to stay away from eating any of them, as they are not quite up to our agricultural standards. However, there was a slight problem - often you couldn't get what you wanted at the base commissary because of the black market. There were limits on certain items at the commissary (for you civilians, it's like a big supermarket) - bananas, apples, milk, ox tails to name a few. And yes, you heard me, ox-tails; not a popular food among American servicemen, but apparently in high demand at the Osan Commissary. Because we didn't have ration cards, we couldn't buy any of the limited items at the commissary. Damn, I guess I can't make that ox-tail soup... Okay, I will be honest with you, I did sample some of the fruit. It was awful. I was in a club with some Koreans, and they offered me some of the fruit from this giant plate that they were eating. In wanting to maintain good relations, I ate some. They have these really bland and sour melons that were awful, but I smiled and nodded my head. Then, they offered me some grapes. Dying for anything to help kill the taste of the awful melons, I gobbled some down, and they were the very worst, most sour grapes I have ever had. No more fruit for me, thanks. Shoes are a very big deal in Korea. In fact, everyone was telling me to get Nikes when I was over there, but the shoe market isn't what it used to be. But, I did see these big platform shoes everywhere, before they became popular over here in recent years. Which will lead me into my story about the real stars of Song-tan: the juicy girls. The juicy girls are these girls who are not quite strippers and not quite prostitutes who hang out in the bars in Song-tan frequented by GIs. They work in the bars and clubs there in town, where they come sit by you and ask you to buy them a juicy. A juicy costs $5 and is basically a shot glass worth of orange juice. They will sit there and drink this juicy next to you and then whine for you to buy them another. They usually wear bikinis and try to dance (they have NO rhythm). They are usually there in a sort of slavery by their families, who send them there to work to make money to feed the family at home.  Main Gate with ROKTraffic Cops (1994) (Mike Stories) Juicy girls might sound really cool, but they are actually really annoying. I know you are thinking Hooters girls, but actually, think of those whiny girls you see in anime. It's kind of cool for like five minutes, when you walk into a club and think "wow - look at all these chicks" and then find out that they are all there because they have to be. And they don't really want to be there, which is why they are most definitely unsexy. ..." (Source: Mike Stories) Assault in Paengsong, Anjung-ni According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 7 March 1994, an American Preacher L. Jones (?) and Lee N. Smith (?) intentionally ran their car into a Soju tent house. They then assaulted Kim Jong-hwan (39) and Ju Won-shim with a beer bottle and beating with their fists. No other details were available. Outcome of the incident is unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") Assault in Songtan According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 12 March 1994, individuals from Yongsan Garrison enterned the Papa Bag shop and started to complain of a bag's quality and demanded their money back. An argument ensued and John S. Harmon (?) assaulted Pak Yan Shik (44). Mr. Pak's mouth was ripped open by the American using his hands to rip the mouth.No other details were available. Outcome of the incident is unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") Hit and Run in Songtan According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 12 Nov 1994, Sgt Vincent Rober was driving his car near the Shinjang overpass bridge. Supposedly he hit and dragged Kumsong Taxi driver, Hyong Bong-hong (34) for 200 meters before stopping. No other details were available. Outcome of the incident is unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") Base Downsizes its Korean Workforce According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 24 Jan 1994, an incident report was filed with the Pyeongtaek police over individuals being "short-changed" pay due. 57 individuals were supposedly terminated. Those with short-term service were relocated to other positions, but 33 long time employees were released. The dispute was over the back-wages for these employees. No other details were available. Outcome of the incident is unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") This incident coincides with the USFK-wide move to terminate long-time employees over retirement age to reduce the work force. At the base level, the bases started to downsize its Korean staff through attrition. As they were retired, they were no fills. In addition, Korean civilian workers were being offered early retirement. The base manning was shrinking in size. The hidden issue was the retirement pay and severance compensation. The "retirement system" for the local national workers is one whereby a pay differential is contributed to the paycheck of the employee every month. Therefore, when the worker retires, no further payments are given. More and more jobs were being converted from U.S. nationals to local nationals as "temporary" Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) positions to preclude retirement payments. However, in the area of severance pay, there was a large dispute over the amounts owed. The amounts demanded were higher than the USFK felt that they were required to pay. In the end, the retirees left and a negotiated settlement was arrived at. However, this downsizing did not come without some angry protests from those being "retired." Protests were staged outside the Osan Main Gate as it was at USFK bases Korea-wide. At times, these demonstrations became aggressive. On August 7, 1993 at Kunsan, twenty five Korean nationals demonstrated at the Kunsan Main Gate. According to the 8th Wing Historian, "The demonstrators penetrated onto the base before being escorted off the base." ROK Developments Meetings to discuss arrangements for prime ministerial-level talks led to a series of such meetings starting in 1990. In late 1991 the two sides signed the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation and the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Nevertheless, there was little progress toward the establishment of a bilateral nuclear inspection regime, and dialogue between the South and North stalled in the fall of 1992. (Source: Focus on Korea.) The crisis escalated further and a military conflict on the peninsula seemed unavoidable. (NOTE: Secretary of Defense William Perry revealed in Congress details of a plan to fight a war with North Korea after bombing the nuclear complex in Yonbyon in summer 1994. UPI, January 24, 1995; A B Carter and W J Perry, Preventive Diplomacy: A New Security Strategy for America, Washington, D.C. 1999, Brookings Institution Press, pp. 127-128.) Former US president Jimmy Carter made a surprise visit to North Korea and defused the crisis. North Korea offered to "freeze" the nuclear program, and the US agreed to begin the third round of comprehensive negotiations with North Korea on July 8, 1994, in Geneva.(NOTE: The "freeze" includes commitments by North Korea not to reload the reactor with new fuel, not to reprocess the spent fuel, and to allow inspectors continuous access to the spent fuel storage pond.) Surprisingly, a historical first-ever summit meeting between the presidents of the two Koreas was even scheduled. Shortly before the summit meeting, as the delegates of the US and North Korea began to negotiate in Geneva, North Korean president Kim Il-sung suddenly died. The planned summit meeting was cancelled and negotiations in Geneva were postponed. In August, high-level delegations resumed negotiations in Geneva. Finally, on October 21, 1994, the US and North Korea signed the Geneva Framework Agreement in their efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem, laying the groundwork for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.(See R Nelson and K Weisbrode, "Interim Arrangements for North Korea: Are They Secure?", Bulletin of the Atlantic Council, vol. V, no. 12, December 30, 1994, pp. 1-4.) Interim arrangements were negotiated to defuse the immediate nuclear crisis and to initiate a long-term process to integrate North Korea into the international community, as well as to deter repetition of a potentially catastrophic confrontation. In order to induce North Korea to drop its nuclear weapons program, the US has not only committed itself to deliver two light-water nuclear reactors worth US$5 billion and an interim energy supply, but also to expand diplomatic and economic ties with North Korea. Although the nuclear crisis was defused peacefully, relations between the two Koreas remained strained and even worsened. President Kim Young-sam refused to allow South Koreans to attend the funeral of Kim Il-sung and adopted a hard-line anti-communist policy again. He responded strongly against the protests of students who wanted to march to the North to discuss unification with North Korean students. Relations between the two Koreas remained tense until Kim Young-sam left office in February 1998. (Source: Asia Times) Kim Il-Sung (1912-1994): Kim Il-Sung, North Korea's leader, died suddenly on 8 July 1994. In the midst of a nuclear crisis, that took former President Jimmy Carter's intervention to defuse, the charismatic leader's death left the whole area on pins-and-needles as to what would happen next. His death halted plans for a first ever South-North presidential summit and led to another period of inter-Korean animosity. Rumors were running rampant. Kim Il-Sung's heir apparent did not take over the reins of government immediately and there were reports that there were cabinet reshuffles in the positions of power. North Korean army maneuvers increasing on the DMZ -- including incursions into the DMZ itself -- caused the South Korean Army to go on increased alert. U-2 Det 2 9th RW becomes 5th RS During October 1994, Detachment 2 of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing became the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. (See TaiwanAirPower.org: U2) U-2 Crashes 80-1098 art.#098 (Built as U-2R, 1989) Lost towards end of August 1994 at Osan AB, Korea. USAF Pilot: Cholene Espinoza survived, while trying to land in fog aircraft lf the runway and crashed, aircraft burnt. (Source: Blackbirds: U-2 Tail Number) In Oct 1994, supposedly a U2 on a night landing in terrible weather landed hard and then went off the runway. The pilot was pulled from the wreckage and was in good enough condition to return to flight status after recuperation. U2 watchers were not surprised by the event termed as "an accident waiting to happen." HH-60G Pavehawk lost near Osan AB Serial number 91-26401/26407 Sikorsky HH-60G Pavehawk 26404 (33rd RQS) crashed and written off. Crashed on Oct 6, 1994 near Osan AB during night exercise when flew into power lines. Four aircrewmen killed. 36 TFS Development 2 Dec 1994 Actor Tom Cruise receives incentive flight. Afterward rewards the squadron with an industrial strength popcorn machine. (Source: 36th Fiends History.)
 1-43 ADA
Patriot PAC-2 Arrives To offset concerns over possible missile attacks from North Korea, Patriot missiles were deployed to Korea. Army Patriot Missile units of the 1st Battalion, 43rd ADA (Air Defense Artillery), 6th Calvary were deployed to Kunsan and became responsible for the base's air defense against potential missile attacks from North Korea. Nicknamed "Blackhorse," the unit prides itself on its calvary heritage and sports black calvary headgear for formal formations. (See 1-43ADA Homepage for information.)
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