Osan AB and the Songtan Area 2000-2004

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OSAN AIR BASE AND THE SONGTAN AREA

2000-2004

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Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Jack Terwiel, Capt, USAF (Ret) of the Osan Retired Activities Office for photos of base (past and present) -- Dan Klopten, Ron Freedman, Harry Tezlaf and Ken Shallenbarger. 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. Thanks to Curly Knepp, Maj, USAF (Ret) for his photos and direction in uncovering the history of the area. Thanks to Bob Spiwak for his narratives and photos of life at Osan AB.

Thanks to Patrick McDonald & Wayne Wolf for their 2000 photos of Osan AB. Special thanks to JW Cummings for his informative "reviews" of Songtan bar life, shopping and dining out (restaurants and street vendors) in 2000. Thanks to an Unknown Photographer (edbestworldnetattnet) for photos in 2002. (NOTE: We wish to locate JW Cummings for his narratives and the Unknown Photographer (2002) to credit them properly for their work. Does anyone have information on their whereabouts?) Thanks to the 36th Fiends site for the use of its materials dealing with the 36th TFS.

Special thanks to Mr. Oh Sun-soo for his information on the development of Songtan. Special thanks to Mr. Jim Price for his sharing of his experiences during his long residence in Songtan. Special thanks to Mr. Yi Kyong Chu (Kasey Lee) for his help and direction in assembling this history. Special thanks to Ms. Jin Dal-lae and other staff members of the Jisan-dong Ward Office for taking the time to research and provide historical materials on Songtan and Pyongtaek City. Thanks to the Shinjang 1-dong Ward Office staff for their help. Much of the information on Pyongtaek City and the Songtan area was extracted from the Pyeongtaek City 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.

2000:

Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB: Brig. Gen. David E. Clary, May 22, 2000 -- March 18, 2002

Panoramic View of Songtan (Retired Activities Office)

View of Songtan from Capitol Hotel (1998) (Joe ?)

Education Osan American Elementary School opened an annex school at Camp Humphreys during SY 99-00 for students in grades Kindergarten to second. Humphreys American Elementary School (HAES) opened with a K-6 for SY 03-04. The teachers of the Art, Music, PE and Culture provide support for OAES and HAES. OAES presently has grades PSCD, Sure Start and grades one through six. Support specialists provide a variety of educational opportunities for students. (Source: Osan American Elementary School)

Yi Taeyun Stele Returned to Pyeongtaek City On 28 Aug 2000, Brig Gen David Clary, 51st Wing Commander, transferred the Yi Taeyun Stele to the Vice-mayor of Pyeongtaek City, Yi Pil-woon. Afterwards, City Workers moved the Stele to a 14th Century Confucian School at Hangkyo, Bongnam-ri, Chinwi-myeon, Pyeongtaek City along with other monuments. (Source: MIG Flyer, 1 Sep 2000) The official transfer was on 28 Aug 2000. (NOTE: The stele is along the road as one drives up the road in Jinwi.)

The Yi Taeyun Stele was located at Turtle Park. According to the MIG Flyer news article, humorously there were no formal records of the stele's existence until 1989 on the base -- though we see the pictures above of Harry Tezlaf with it in 1965. Supposedly there were no documented records as to how the stele came into the USAF possession. (NOTE: The article related an improbable tale that the stele had been erected by the residents of Che Yok Dong -- a village near the Golf Course -- in November 1661 as a tribule to the governor. The stele was present when the base was erected in 1952. This is highly improbable.)

More likely, this stele was originally moved to Osan from Palgongsan near Taegu during installation of a communications site. (Source: Osan AB: Conservation.)

The granite monument was erected in approximately 1661 to commemorate a celebrated statesman of the Choson Dynasty. The base of the monument was a fanged turtle, representing long life and guarding against evil from the north. Above this is a monolithic stele inscribed with Chinese characters. The inscription reads, "Sir Yi Taeyun governs well with wisdom and mercy." Atop this rested two dragons with a sphere between them.

Turtle Monument and Turtle Pond near CE Compound (1965) (Harry Tezlaf)

Turtle Monument Removal (2000) (Pyeontaek Si Sa) On 5 Aug 2005, we stopped by the Daeseongjeon Jinwi Hanggyo to find the Yi Taeyun Stele. The Confucian Academy Memorial is not a major tourist attraction. We had passed it many times on the way to Yong-in and noted its location near the Moobongsan Youth Camp. However, in tracking down the Yi Tae-yun Stele we decided it was time to stop by.

The grounds are well-taken care of and there is one building with tables and chairs in what appears to be a lecture hall. Above it are the gates to the old Confucian academy.

Down near the entrance, there is a shelter for markers. Outside in the elements, the Yi Taeyun stele has found its resting place in the graveyard for forgotten monuments -- sort of like going to an elephant's graveyard. Kind of sad, but at least it is preserved. The stele looks smaller without the concrete base it stood on while at the base. The site appears to be a monument warehouse for those markers no one knows what to do with. There is no sign or explanation for the Yi Taeyun stele -- as it is for all the other markers stored there. It's just another piece of stone.

(L) Daeseongjeon Jinwi Hanggyo (R) Yi Taeyun Stele with other Monuments (2005) (Kalani O'Sullivan)

(L) Yi Taeyun Stele Turtle base (R) Yi Taeyun Stele Top of Marker (2005) (Kalani O'Sullivan)

Ulchi Focus Lens (2000) (51st FW Historian site)

36th FS F-16 at Suwon during Osan Runway Repair (2000) (Tsgt Patrick McDonald/Wayne Wolf)

36th FS F-16 in Osan Arch (2000) (Tsgt Patrick McDonald/Wayne Wolf)

36th FS F-16 on Osan Flightline (16 Feb 2000) (Tsgt Patrick McDonald/Wayne Wolf)

Osan Dormitories (2000) (Tsgt Patrick McDonald/Wayne Wolf )

(L) Col. Millet at Bayonet Hill 50th Anniversary (R) Col. Millet honored at VFW Post 10216 (Hill 180 Post) (2000) (VFW Post 10216: Osan AB) (See 1975 for one of Col. Millet's previous visit.)

Bayonet Hill 50th Anniversary (2000) (51st FW History Office)

Plaque on Hill 180 (1998) (VFW Post 10216: Osan AB)

Pyeongtaek City "Demands" Return of Land Land was set aside for the relocation of the USFK forces as was negotiated in 1990 under a Memorandum of Understanding with the ROK. However, the ROK failed to provide funding for the move and dragged their feet on the move preferring to have the USFK in Seoul and the maintenance of the status quo. (See Relocation of USFK (2003) for background details.) The bottom line is that the USFK did NOT relocate to Osan as was planned and the 27,000 pyeong of land set aside on Osan AB went unused.

Thus after ten years of the land lying unused, the Pyeongtaek City filed to have the land returned to the city. After much internal hassling, the ROKAF took possesion of the land. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") Pyeongtaek City filed a protest, but the ROKAF moved forward with deliberate speed to build a facility on the land. The ROKAF already occupied a significant area within Osan AB and simply incorporated this adjacent land into its domain. When the move from Yongsan Garrison was cancelled, the ROKAF acquired the land. The new AFOC headquarters is located in the expansion area. (Source: RAO: Osan History.)

Thus Osan Air Base is now home to the ROKAF Operations Command (AFOC) and Air Operations Center (AOC) -- and Pyeongtaek City is still protesting the issue.

AOC (2002) (Jack Terwiel)
AOC (2002) (Jack Terwiel)
Osan Runway Closure (May 2000) Osan's runway closed for repairs 03 May 2000 causing a diversion of most of the base's flight operations to nearby Suwon Air Base (a Republic of Korea air force installation) until the project was completed 31 May 2000. Osan's fleet of A-10s, F-16s, U-2s, the Osan Eagle and other aircraft operated out of Suwon, but helicopter operations continued at Osan. The base's C-12s operated out of nearby Camp Humphreys. Flightline workers commuted back and forth between Osan and Suwon, and about 60 to 70 people were billeted there full-time. Adding Osan's two flying squadrons to a base that already had a full flying schedule with five flying squadrons of its own really impacted the number of sorties Suwon can support. This caused a reduction in Osan's flight operations during the month.

51st Service Squadron Mess Hall wins 2000 John L. Hennessy Trophy As the first food services operation in Korea to compete at Air Force level, the 51st Services Squadron, Osan, set a record when it captured the 2000 John L. Hennessy Trophy for the multi-facility category.

The squadron won the award despite having the two oldest dining facilities in the Air Force inventory. They also dethroned Hurlburt Air Force Base, Fla., reigning two-year champions of the multi-facility category and winner of the single-facility category in 1997.

"It�s like winning the Super Bowl of food services," said Master Sgt. Jimmy Daniels, food services operations chief. "The entire unit is ecstatic about this award."

Osan�s food service was noted for serving more than 1.2 million meals and more than 156,900 flight- and ground-support meals last year. Customer satisfaction was increased by 90 percent through innovative cooking practices. (Source: SeabeeCook.com.)

Osan Commissary Best Large Commissary Overseas The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) announced that the Commissary at Osan AB was the recipient of the Dan Daniel Award winner for the best large commissary overseas. Three teams from DeCA headquarters visited the 17 nominated stores and evaluated them in six major areas: management, customer service, accountability controls, and their grocery, meat and produce departments.

Osan American High School Prank The following story was in the Stars and Stripes on Friday, June 23, 2000.
Osan High senior prank leaves odorous legacy
By Jim Lea
Osan bureau chief

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea - Shortly after Osan American High School held its commencement exercise, a handful of youths believed to be members of the Class of 2000 paid the school a clandestine visit and left a messy and smelly legacy.

John S. Provinsal, Osan principal - who has seen many senior pranks in 28 years as an educator - said someone broke into the school between midnight June 12 and 5 a.m. June 13. The cafeteria was vandalized, and fish were placed in the building's ventilation system.

But, he added, the prank wasn't nearly as bad as the rumor mill has made it out to be.

"They turned over the cafeteria tables, smeared the walls and windows with ice cream sandwiches, sprayed shaving cream over a wall mural and left several varieties of fish in the vents in the walls," he said. A few fish also were found on top of removeable ceiling panels and in a few student lockers, he said.

Rumors allege the incident caused "thousands of dollars" in damage and that the school is taking money from travel and other activities funds to pay for the damages.

That, Provinsal said, is "absolutely not true. All we had to do was clean up the mess they left. Our regular cleaning folks cleaned the walls and windows, straightened the furniture, cleaned the shaving cream off the mural and took away the fish. Actually, most of the mess was cleaned up by the time kids got to school that morning and the smell was nearly gone," he said.

Provinsal also clarified that the entire graduating class in not under suspicion.

"The names of some seniors - about eight - did surface. They're being questioned by base authorities," he said. Authorities want to know how the culprits managed to get into the school and cafeteria, which are locked when the school closes for the day.

His assessment is the incident caused "more disappointment than damage."

"Every piece of artwork in the school was done by students and the fact that the mural in the cafeteria was defaced caused disappointment," he said. "Even many of the seniors who graduated have expressed disappointment."

Provinsal said he doesn't condone pranks, but "my biggest concern is that some of our seniors did this after they were graduated.

"The whole school made a big effort to make graduation pleasant for them," he said. "Our students were very frustrated by this. The kids don't understand why these people who are no longer students and are supposed to be adults would come in and do this."

This year's graduating class left the school with a good legacy, he said.

"But some of them have turned that into a legacy of disgrace," he added.

55th Airlift Flight (ALF) Becomes 55th Expeditionary Airlift Flight (EALF) (Nov 2000)The 55th Airlift Flight (55 ALF), also known as "Double Nickel" or "Nickles," flies the C-12J passenger aircraft under the 51st FW. Basically, it does a "milk run" around the Korean peninsula and Japan to pick up priority cargo or transport VIP passengers.

In November 2000 Osan AFB's 55th Airlift Flight completed its first-ever deployment where the C-12J unit supported a joint U.S./U.N. humanitarian aid mission to strife-torn East Timor. Operating for 125 days from Royal Australian Air Force Base, Darwin, Australia, four members of the flight and two Raytheon maintenance contractors formed the 55th Expeditionary Airlift Flight. The 55th EALF ferried passengers and supplies for US Support Group East Timor (USGET) on the nearly daily four-hour round-trip flights between Darwin and the austere Komoro airfield at Dili, East Timor. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org: C-12J.)
The C-12J aircraft is the military version of the Raytheon Beech 1900C. Developed from the Super King Air business twin turboprop, the 19-seat Beech 1900C Airliner was first flown in September 1982 and entered service in early 1984. With its Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65B engines, it has a cruise speed of 268 knots with a certified ceiling of 25,000 feet and a range of 1,555 miles. Since its introduction in 1984, Raytheon Aircraft's Beech 1900C Airliner has been known as "the workhorse of the sky." The Beech 1900C consistently earns high marks for its large-airliner styling and passenger comfort. A later version of the Beech 99, the model 1900 is recognized as the favoured tier-3 aircraft. It is passenger friendly, highly reliable, and much appreciated by both maintenance and aircrews alike. A total of 250 1900Cs were delivered between 1984 and 1991 to regional airlines, special mission operators and corporations. Production then switched entirely to the current version, dubbed the 1900D, which has a taller cabin. Some commentators suggest that the Beech 1900C had some defects, and that to rectify these shortcomings while improving on the technical aspects, Raytheon went on to manufacture Beech 1900D, the most popular 19-seater aircraft in the world. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org.)

ROK Developments The economic crisis worsened. Bankrupt.com had a synopsis of the financial problems with the businesses in 2000. (See link for 2000 news articles):
ALZZAMART.COM: To suspend operations
ANAM SEMICONDUCTOR: Cho Hung Bank to sell stake:
DAEWOO CORP: Excluded from top 30 groups
DAEWOO GROUP: Former head, 20 execs to face indictment
DAEWOO GROUP: Gov't reaches agmt with foreign creditors
EUGENE TOUR: To be removed from workout program
HYUNDAI BUS.GROUP: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI CAPITAL: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI CORP.: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI DEVELOP.CORP.: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI ELECTRONICS: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI ENGIN.& CONST.: Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI GROUP: Subsidiaries can't pay debts
HYUNDAI MOTOR : Bond rating downgraded
HYUNDAI PRECISION IND.: Bond rating downgraded
KANGWON INDUSTRIES: To be removed from workout program
LG GROUP: Subsidiaries can't pay debts
SAMSUNG GROUP: Subsidiaries can't pay debts

In addition to the worsening economic crisis, the stabilized Kim Jong-il regime and the Kim Dae-jung's unceasing offers to dialogue, as well as pressure from China, brought some radical changes in 2000. Kim Jong-il paid a surprise visit to the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang on March 5, 2000. Kim Dae-jung offered to help the North in his speech at the Free University of Berlin, Germany, on March 9. On April 10, the North and South announced that a summit meeting of the two leaders was to be held in Pyongyang in June. Shortly before the summit, Kim Jong-il paid a visit to China and conferred with the Chinese leadership. Kim Jong-il surprised the world with his warm reception to his arch-enemy from the South. The summit meeting was concluded with the "North-South joint declaration" of June 15, reconfirming the desire to unify Korea. Nevertheless, the expected breakthrough did not come about. Since then, a few high-level meetings took place and only 200 families from each side were allowed for a brief reunion with their families in the South or North. (Source: Asia Times, The Korean peninsula's imperfect past, Mark B M Suh.)

Kia export car facility at Pyongtaek Harbor Opens in 2000. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

Pyeontaek Harbor car export facility. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

Pyeontaek Harbor first car export. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
A direct route between Pyeongtaek Port and Chengdao Port was established in October 2000. In Nov 2000 the inauguration of the regular international line to Chengdao, China from Pyeongtaek Harbor was held.

A delegation of Pyongtaek City, Kyonggi Province, composed of 7 and led by the mayor Kim, Sun Ki, visited cities in China from April 25 to May 2, 2000 to discuss the possibility of opening sea route to port cities. Last year, Pyongtaek city and Rongcheng city in China agreed to open sea route. As a result of active promotion this year, Dalian and Lianyungang city have agreed and exchanged the letter of intent to open sea routes. Both cities also agreed to enhance international cooperation for the mutual benefits. Based on the fruitful result of this visit, the city hopes to develop it as the hub of distribution and trade in the Southeast Asia in the 21st century. For the long term development of the city, the city government has set up plan to promote in 14 port Cities in China. Meanwhile, Kyonggi Province and Pyongtaek city plans to establish Free Trade Zone to develop the Pyongtaek port as the hub of distribution in the 21st century. (Source: KLAFIR Local News)

Pyeongtaek Seohae West Coast Highway Bridge Opens The Seohae Grand Bridge, South Korea's longest crossing, features a 470 m center span that is the longest in the country. Construction of the pylons began in mid-1998 after completion of the cofferdams and the solid-footing foundation. The bridge superstructure was opened to traffic in November 2000.

At 9.4 km, the Seohae Grand Bridge now stands as the longest bridge in South Korea. Rising above the Asan Bay approximately 65 km south of Seoul, the cable-stayed bridge, which took seven years to construct, runs from P'y_ongt'aek on the north side of the bay to Dangjin on the south. The bridge incorporates pistonlike lock-up devices (LUDs) that allow movement in response to temperature changes, creep, and shrinkage but resist such dynamic loads as aerodynamic motions and earthquakes. These devices are of critical importance, because a primary design challenge for the Seohae Grand Bridge was its location in an area of high winds.

Pyeontaek Bridge Opens (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
The crossing consists of several kilometers of concrete box girder spans and the main bridge, which is 990 m long. The main bridge consists of an 870 m long cable-stayed structure and two 60 m long end spans of simply supported composite girders. The cable-stayed portion has three spans-a 470 m center span and two 200 m side spans. The center span provides a 62 m high navigation channel above the bay.

There are six traffic lanes, three in each direction. Together with a 3 m outside shoulder, a 1.2 m inside shoulder, and a 0.8 m median barrier, the roadway width between the inside faces of the outside barriers is 31 m. The centerlines of the cables are placed at a distance of 1.6 m from the inside face of the outside barrier, making the center-to-center distance between the two planes of cables 34 m.

Pyeontaek Bridge Opening Ceremony (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
T.Y. Lin International, of San Francisco, performed the detailed design of the main bridge and also provided construction services, including superstructure erection stage analysis, design of special construction equipment, and field assistance. (Source: EgyptEng.com)

Pyeontaek Bridge (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

2001:

Korean National College of Rehabilitation and Welfare (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Handicap Rehabilitation and Training Center
Located about 15 minutes from base by car on Route 340

Songtan Street Vendor (2001)

Songtan Open Market (2001)

Songtan Shinjang Shopping Mall (2001)

Outside Main Gate Shinjang Shopping Mall (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Shinjang Shopping Mall area (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Shinjang Shopping Mall area (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Chris Lambert in front of Lim's Custom Tailors near the main gate (Apr 2001) (Chris Lambert) (SITE NOTE: The shop moved in Mar 2005 to across from Burger King)

Education

On 7 Jul 1998, the Taegwang High School had 12 normal calsses and 12 business/office automation classes. These would be roughly equivalent to the U.S. college-prep classes and vocational training classes for those not intending to go on to college. However, the face of education was changing and by 10 Jul 2001, there were 12 normal classes and 12 business/office automation classes, with 6 internet infromation and communication classes. The computer classes was part of the Information Technology (IT) drive by the Korean government started in 1990 that had made Korea into one of the highest level countries in computer literacy.

However, Korea was also experiencing declining enrollment as reflected by the smaller graduating classes. On 14 Feb 2003, 339 students graduated from Taegwang High School. Declining student populations was a reflection of the national trend to have smaller family sizes -- with the rate at 1.4 per family, a distressing number as it reflects a "non-viable" society in the future that would bring about changes in tax-bases, school closures, apartment construction, industrial growth and military strength decreases.

Biggest one-day snowfall in 32 years (Feb 2005) According to the Stars and Stripes on 1 Feb 2001: "The heaviest single-day snowfall in 32 years blanketed the northern half of South Korea on Thursday, leaving thousands of air passengers stranded, creating huge traffic jams and closing schools and other facilities at some U.S. military bases. Snow began falling at 5 a.m. in Seoul, a spokesman for the Korea Meteorological Administration said. By 6 p.m., 10 inches had fallen, breaking a record set in February 1969, he said. Chunchon, 50 miles northeast of the capital, received 11 inches during the same period. Tongduchon, 20 miles north, received 8 inches, the spokesman said. The U.S. Army�s Camp Page is in Chunchon and camps Casey and Hovey are in Tongduchon. About 6 inches of snow fell at Suwon, south of the capital, and Wonju, southeast of Seoul. U.S. troops are stationed at Suwon Air Base and camps Long and Eagle are at Wonju. Road Condition Black, meaning no traffic could move on post, was in effect at Long and Eagle for several hours Thursday afternoon. ... Bob Warner, a Camp Humphreys spokesman, said rain fell there early in the day and streets iced over quickly. About 2 inches of snow fell in the afternoon. Buses were not running on post and civilian employees were sent home at 3 p.m., he said. Master Sgt. John Norgren, a 51st Fighter Wing spokesman at Osan Air Base, said a mixture of rain and snow amounting to nearly 3 inches of precipitation fell at the base during the day. Osan is in the midst of a weeklong training exercise and base officials paused the drill for about six hours in the late afternoon because of weather."

631st AMSS becomes 731st AMS The roots of the 731st Air Mobility Squadron can be traced back to 1953, when the unit was assigned to support Military Air Transport Service (MATS) at Kimpo Airport, Seoul, Korea. In July 1964, it was designated as Detachment 5 of the 1503d Air Transportation Group organized at Tachikawa AB, Japan, as a subordinate of the 1502nd Air Transportation Wing, Heavy, located at Hickam AFB Hawaii.

With the conversion of MATS to the Military Airlift Command (MAC) and the establishment of 22d Air Force at Travis AFB, CA in early 1966, Detachment 5 kept its name but became a subordinate unit of the 65th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) re-designated of the 1503d Group and the 1502d Wing. When the 61 MAW became a Military Airlift Support Wing (MASW) at the end of 1969, Detachment 5 at Kimpo became the 611th Military Airlift Support Squadron, a subordinate of the 65 MASG, which was moved to Yokota AB, Japan.

On 15 January 1975, the 611th was moved to Osan AB, Korea. On 1 January 1972, it became a direct reporting unit under the 61 MASW upon deactivation of the 65 MASG. In October 1978, for reasons of geographical proximity, the 611 MASS became a subordinate of the newly established 316th Tactical Airlift Group (TAG) at Yokota AB. It was the only one of the four MASSs in the Pacific not to be aligned under the also newly established 834th Air Lift Division (ALD) located at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. On 1 November 1983, the 611th realigned under the 834 ALD, where it remained until 1 April 1992, at which time the 834 ALD was deactivated. The 611th would then report directly to Headquarters, 22nd Air Force at Travis AFB California. On 1 June 1992, when the Military Airlift Command reorganized and became the Air Mobility Command, the 611th was re-designated as the 611th Air Lift Support Squadron and placed under the 603d Air Lift Support Group at Kadena AB. At this same time, the 611th Aerial Port Squadron was deactivated.

On 1 July 1994 the 611th was re-designated as the 631st Air Mobility Support Squadron. With this name change came the realignment of the unit under the 615th Air Mobility Support Group tying us once again to Hickam AFB, Hawaii as it was in the beginning, over 40 years ago...

On 15 Mar 2001, the 631st was re-designated as the 731st Air Mobility Squadron. Along with this change, the 615th changed it's name to the 715th Air Mobility Operations Group. (Source: Osan AB Public Affairs)

"Unjust" SOFA Protests in front of Main Gate (2001). (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

"Unjust" SOFA Protests in front of Main Gate (2001). (Pyeongtaek City) (NOTE: The "yoke" represent the ancient Korean stocks that Korean prisoners were locked into symbolizing how Pyeongtaek was being chained by the SOFA.) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
Activists Protest "Unjust" SOFA at Songtan The SOFA reopened for renegotiation in 2000 and the negotiations dragged on into 2001. In 2001 throughout Korea, the NGO activists protested the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) over cost-sharing, criminal prosecution, worker compensation and environmental issues. By and large, the ROK populace believed the SOFA was unjust -- though the activists continued to downplay the fact that the ROK did NOT pay for their defense "share" prior to 1991 when the first negotiations took place since the SOFA took effect in 1963. The ROK activists complained bitterly over the increases in the "cost share" for the ROK stating that the Americans were in Korea for their national interests so why should the ROK pay. Anti-American sentiment was rampant.

In 2001, the Americans were most likely to concede custody of personnel to the Koreans for some major offenses, but would negotiate for having minor offenses turned over to American control. This was a major stumbling block.

In addition, environmental protection and Korean-national worker retirement issues were discussed. The Korean retirement issue was brought up as the USFK switched to "temp" NAF employees versus full-time Korean workers. As they retire, they are not being replaced. (NOTE: The retirement system for the Koreans are that they are paid their retirement as part of their paycheck. Thus when they retire, they receive no benefits. "Temp" workers on the other hand receive no retirement pay differentials. This would resurface in 2005 when the ROK refused to increase its share. These "temp" workers were the first to be released.)
However, the Koreans used the same ploy as the Filipinos over Subic Bay and tried to get the U.S. to pay for cleanup over "past wrongs" -- even though it was not "wrong" at the time. (NOTE: Under the SOFA, bases/camps would be returned to the ROK "as is" -- without cleanup.) This was a very touchy issue and negotiations continued in this area. It should be noted that the Koreans had some horrendous environmental problems with massive dumping -- including government coverups of dumping of toxic waste into the major rivers. If the U.S. accepted anything that could be construed as the U.S. "fault" for environmental pollution, it would open up a Pandora's box of problems. (NOTE: The US would later concede that it would work with ROK environmental authorities to ensure that bases were "cleaned up" prior to return to ROK control under the pending Land Partnership Program (LPP). The partnership appeared to have positive results as there were no major difficulties reported in returning camps in 2004-2005.)

As to increasing the cost-share under the SOFA, the Koreans didn't have much excuse for poor-mouthing as they were well-down the road to IMF recovery. (NOTE: It should also be noted that after IMF Recovery took effect, the ROK failed to implement some of the major agreed-upon changes to limit the chaebols (conglomerates) as promised when they accepted the bailout.) As a sign of their economic recovery, the ambitious military hardware upgrade plans started in 1990 but shelved for the IMF crisis were resurfaced. Korea's defense budget for 2001 had been set at 15.37 trillion won ($13.9 billion), an increase of 6.5 percent from 2000. Arms procurement (33.9 percent of the total budget). In October 2000, the Korea Herald reported that despite the cut in the arms procurement budget, existing or planned projects would go on without a hitch. The funds for key arms procurement projects increased by about 9.4 percent. (NOTE: This all turned out to be eyewash. ROK promises to increase their defense spending to 3.2 percent of GDP never materialized and instead only increased to 2.8 percent of GDP. By 2005, the defense upgrade program was a shambles. The funding of defense upgrade programs were being "reprioritized" that left some upgrade programs unfunded. The Patriot PAC-3 (SAM-X program) was on order, but unfunded. The AWACS program completed the bid process, but the MND in 2005 wanted to start over. The next-generation helicopter upgrades were in limbo or cancelled. But most significantly, the ROK refused to increase its "cost share" which had been negotiated at length under the SOFA. Only the F-15K fighters had been resolved, but only after the MND changed the rules so that the better performing French Rafael was eliminated. The ROK cruisers were on-track, but not until it had some well-deserved fiascos with procuring incompatible weapons systems.)

Anti-War activist the Rev. Mun Chon-Hyun, a Catholic priest from Kunsan, led the anti-American demonstrations in 2001-2002. The following is an interview (date unknown) from Argus with the Rev Mun to give you some insight into his causes of anti-war and SOFA revision:

Interview With Mun Jung-hyeon of People's Action for Reform of Unjust ROK-US SOFA Agreement

SOFA, Undermining Korean Law and Order

A short time ago, the Department of National Defense received a document, which was drawn up by the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea (USFK). It was a request to borrow some facilities at the new airport in Inchon for military purposes. But, they are already using a part of Kimpo International airport for this purpose and now they are requesting more facilities for their convenience. These kinds of actions are based on the ROK-US SOFA (Status Of Forces Agreement). So, many people are ashamed of the agreement believing it represents an unjust relationship with USFK.

The SOFA is an agreement that positions the lawful status of the USFK. According to international law, foreign forces generally abide by the law of the country in which they are stationed. An exception can be made only when the foreign forces have to perform a special duty in a country under a mutual agreement between two countries according to international law. However, SOFA as agreed between the ROK and the US shouldn't go further than just making certain accommodations to the U.S. Army; the current agreement practically forfeits the sovereignty of Korea.

Hong Sun-young, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has made it clear to a revision to the unfair SOFA agreement must be made step by step. Many civic organizations, however, look at the gradual revision suspiciously with doubtful eyes as the authorities put on airs. The Ministry has already undertaken the gradual revision of SOFA in 1991, but nothing has changed. So, 127 civic organizations stand united in calling for an overall revision of the ROK-US SOFA because the government has persistently let them down. The Argus met Mun Jeong-hyun, a standing delegate of People's Action for Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA Agreement, on his street where he was demonstrating in the direction of the American Embassy.

Reporter: You have participated in a movement for revision of the unjust SOFA. What is the significance of this movement?

Mun: If you look at the agreement, USFK should stay to protector the weak S.K. against the enemy. South Korea, however, now has been increasing its own defense capability and now has the power to defend itself. Nevertheless, there has been no change in the Status of Forces Agreement for the past 50 years. Meanwhile, the number of crimes committed by U.S. soldiers increase by the week. The environmental pollution around the camps has intensified and of course there is no such regulation restricting such actions in SOFA. All we hope is to hold a meeting between Korea and USFK to revise SOFA, an unfair agreement. If our government only shows benevolence this time, we won't even be able to recover our lost sovereignty. And, foreign military forces must withdraw from every country. The USFK is no exception. We know that foreign forces are sacrificing their lives and bearing all costs, except in a few exceptional cases perhaps. We only know of the inequality and injustice committed by foreign forces. Therefore, the USFK should agree to withdraw from this land unless they agree to revise SOFA completely.

Rev. Mun at Seoul (Dec 02)
(Click on image to enlarge)
(From Tongil.news)
R: What are some particular problems caused by the USFK?

M: There have been too many problems for them who are protected by SOFA. First, they haven't paid for using the facilities, the ground forces, nor the taxes on the import of goods from abroad. It violates the international law. Our sovereignty has been infringed on. Secondly, the agreement doesn't contain any provision concerning environmental pollution around the camps. Camp Kunsan is a case in point. The West Sea suffered fatigue due to excessive waste from the camp. Many people also complained of pain as a result of loud explosions from U.S. air-force bombing runs. Finally, they don't have lawful responsibility in Korea even though they commit crimes as serious as murder. Under SOFA, the suspect was sent to their home country. But, most of them are released on account of insufficient evidence. This is the reason to crime has increased among U.S. soldiers. (NOTE: The environmental complaint is valid. Kunsan AB dumps its untreated waste directly into the West Sea -- though waste treatment improvements were underway in 2004. The US has stopped using the Kooni Range because of NGO activist protests and switched live-fire operations to Chogi-do off the coast of Kunsan. The lack of "lawful responsibility" by USFK soldiers is hype to stir up the populace.)

R: We know that no one could have a meeting within 100 meters of the Embassy by law. Didn't you have any problems during the meeting of 'People's Action for Reform of Unjust ROK-US Agreement'?

M: Of course. In spite of the fact that the law is a bad law, we had to stage the rally 100m away from the American Embassy. The result, however, was only a containment tactic on the part of the Korean police. The reason for this action was to curry favor with America. At last, the meeting was closed briefly. We thought that more attention against the unreasonable actions of the Korean government was needed actually.

R: Would you tell me about what you think the preferable revisions to SOFA are?

M: There are several provisions in need of revision: �� A complete guarantee of the Korean government's jurisdiction concerning criminal investigations and the execution of sentences. �� Establishing terms for claims on damage incurred by U.S. soldiers. �� Contracting a lease between ROK and the U.S. and collecting fees for using military camps. �� Establishing human rights and labor rights of Korean laborers working in the U.S. camps. �� Providing preventive measures against smuggling and illegal outflow from the U.S. military post exchange. �� A revised law must include other measures abolishing special privileges of the USFK. These are the minimal requirements and demands necessary to reclaim our nation's sovereignty.

R: . Do you have any other plans for revising the unjust agreement?

M: Every country in which the USFK is stationed, has SOFA. So, we held meetings with Japanese and Filipino people committed to overthrowing the unjust SOFA. And, we are pushing for international solidarity against the unfair foreign policy of the U.S. Government. They should agree to the revision of the unjust SOFA ad pay for damages caused by U.S. Forces in foreign lands.

By Jeon Kyu-m

Map of Shinjang Mall (2000)

Review of Songtan Bar Life The following is a "e-opinion" review of Songtan by J.W. Cummings. He gave Songtan a "Five-Star" rating, but this was in 2000. It was written in two parts: shopping & eating; and the nightlife. The four part travelogue was written between 24 May - 30 May 2000. His description of Songtan is well-written and very informative. Though his description was written for Songtan shopping in 2000, it is timeless meaning it was true for the 1980s and 1990s and now it continued on into the 2000s. The copyright problem was unresolved -- in that people were warned that the postal inspectors could confiscate and imprison one. However, unless one used the APO postal system for profit or sent large quantities of these contraband items in one box -- like waving a red flag in front of the postal inspectors -- normally it was not bothered with. If you get flagrant, you will be prosecuted. In May 2005, an Osan airman was found guilty in a sports jersey resale scheme. The 20-year-old airman who disobeyed orders to quit buying sports jerseys in South Korea and reselling them at a profit using the internet to offer the items for sale and then shipping the items via the US Military Postal system. He was sentenced to a fine, jail time and a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force.

(SITE NOTE: Mr. Cummings is from Manchester, NH and was out of the USAF with a young son in 2000. However, we do not know how to contact him to ask for permission to use his materials. If anyone knows, please contact us.)

The following is the first of four parts found at Shopping in Korea (Songtan Area):
Shopping in Korea (Songtan Area)
Pros

No copyright laws

Cons

no such thing as unlimited income

Well, I felt obliged to write this opinion on South Korea. I am in the Air Force and I have been stationed here for the past twelve months. In the past twelve months, I have seen so much of South Korea that any civilian could see. In Fact, civilians that are not here because of dependant status with a military member can actually go to more places.

I am stationed at Osan AB which is about one hour south of Seoul. The City of Songtan is the actual location, Osan City is about twenty minutes away on the other side of Pyongtaek. A lot of military members make the pilgrammage to here for the incredible shopping and nightlife scene. So where do I start? How about where you will spend the most money - shopping.

The first thing you will hear as you enter the main strip of the shopping area is "Blanket, you want Blanket?" You will probably never see so much mink in your life and you can get mink blankets and robes in any color pattern with any animal, sports team, college your heart desires. The blankets normally sell for $20, but I've talked them down to $10. The trick is be their first customer about four days before military payday. This is the day everyone is short of money and they can't float a check because it will only stay out about three days.

The next thing you will notice is Leather, lots and lots of Leather. High quality leather that will be furnished into a coat, duster, pants, or anything else you want and will be tailored to your body. Made especially for you. This goes for cowboy boots too. Oh, and as far as the boots go - alligator, python, ostrich ... all those really expensive ones in the states sell for about $200 over here.

The tailoring doesn't just stop at leather. There are so many clothing tailors up and down the strip it will blow you mind. I recommend Mr Oh's. He is the first one you come to as you enter the Shinjang Shopping Center (the main drag) on the right. Any design, any material, any color - two weeks. And if you go to Mr. Yu's Shoes down the street from him and tell him you had something made at Mr. Oh's, Mr. Yu will give you a discount on shoes to match your new outfit. Pretty cool.

A very cool thing that I had never seen before until I got here was a rice necklace. When I took mid-tour to go home for the birth of my daughter (I love you Morgan!! Thanks Angie), we saw a mall selling them for above five dollars and it was just your name on the rice. The rice necklaces here have your name in English on one side of the rice and in Korean (Hongul) on the other. It is then placed in a tube of any color you want, on any size rope you want, and if you want to put your kid's names or sweetheart's name on another rice you can. Mine has my kids' names and my name in it. Oh, and it only costs $2.

Next, is the blatant disregard the Koreans have for Copyright laws. This isn't a bad thing. It doesn't matter what it is you want: Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Gucci - they have it. I sent my mother a Coach purse for Mother's day. NHL jerseys that would normally cost $80 dollars and up stateside are $12 at Mr Joe's. This is the only place I buy my jerseys at. Everywhere else they make them themselves and have defects. Mr Joe gets his sweaters straight from Pro Player and Starter and is the only one who gets the home, away, and third jerseys. He also has an incredible stock of FUBU, NFL, NHL, and NBA apparel. For you NASCAR fans, Lee's Racing Shop is the place for you. All those nice Authentic Jackets the driver's wear that cost upwards of $500 stateside are $80 dollars here. And they can do any driver. Unfortunately, that means there might be more Rainbow Warrior apparel going stateside. For all of you Rodeo fans, they have a full line of PBR merchandise that will knock your socks off and still leave money in your wallet.

Want to make your office look better than your boss'? Take a look in all the little stores in between the copyright infringing businesses. Nameplates, clocks, plagues, statues, knick-knacks, chessboards...you can make yourself look like the CEO even though they pay you like you work in the mailroom.

In short, Songtan is the world's largest flea market. After all of this shopping you are going to be hungry. Look for my food reviews, that will give you a tour of the best places to eat. Anyo (Good bye) and Come sum ni da (Thank you).
Then he continued with his review of the eating in Songtan. The won rate has gone up and down over the years falling as low as 700 won: $1 which brought on a lot of hardship not only to the GIs, but also to the businesses outside the gate. The following is the second of four parts found at Bulkoki, Kim Chi, Kalbi...take your pick:

Bulkoki, Kim Chi, Kalbi...take your pick
Pros

So many restaurants

Cons

No chopstick lessons given

As promised in my �Shopping in Korea� review, here is my review of places that are great places to eat while in Songtan. But here is my tip on how to save money. When you buy merchandise, use dollars. When dining or clubbing, use Korean Won. The Money Exchange outside the Main Gate to the base (which is also conveniently located next to the entrance to the Shinjang Shopping Center) gives the best exchange rate. The exchange rate is usually between 1100 and 1300 WON: $1.

There are almost as many restaurants in this town as there are Nightclubs and Blanket shops. This is a good thing because you will NEVER get bored with the choices. They do have American food as well; the Burger King is decorated with Vintage 1940�s, 50�s, and 60�s d�cor. The Chicken Sandwich meal (4000 WON) is actually cheaper than the Whopper meal (4500 WON). Across the street is an even better fast food restaurant, Lotteria. Their �Big and Best� burger is the best fast food burger I have ever had. They also have a Bulgogi Burger (Korean Barbecue) that is out of this world. The Teriyaki Burger is pretty good too. They have their own version of the McRib that is so much better, Kalbi Sandwich. Stay away from the Rice Burger; it�s a Whopper between two rice cakes. Not exactly a good combination. A few shops down is Classic Fried Chicken. This place could put KFC out of business if they ever went International. I recommend everything there. Koreans have mastered the art of Fried Chicken. There is even a Domino�s but be careful what you order. Their pizza toppings are a little different than American.

If you want pizza, I recommend Pizza Club. Pizza Club has by far the best pizza. I recommend the Bulgogi Pizza or the Hot Pizza. The Bulgogi Pizza has Korean BBQ�d Beef. The Hot Pizza has Bulgogi, hot peppers, and all kinds of spices. It is absolutely fantastic. Oh, and don�t forget to get the Garlic Bread.

But, let�s not forget you are in Korea. If you wanted American food, you probably would have stayed in Korea. The first place that is a must stop is Sam Il Bulkoki House. Walk down the Shinjang Shopping Center; take your third right, then your first right. It will be on your left. It is a traditional Korean Bulkoki Restaurant. This means you have to take your shoes off at the door (make sure your socks are clean!) You will be sitting down on a pillow to eat. I recommend getting the Kalbi. Menu price is 10000 WON and worth every bit. Kalbi is Korean BBQ ribs. The ribs are cooking right at your table on grills built into the table. It is absolutely fantastic. There will be about twelve sides that are put in front of you as well as a bowl of rice and a bowl of seaweed soup. Here is the thing though. All in your party will be eating from the same side dishes. You�ll get used to it. There will also be a plate heaping with lettuce leaves. Here are directions on how to eat Bulkoki (this will work for all types of Kalbi, Beef, Pork, Chicken that is cooked Bulkoki style):

Take one of the lettuce leaves and lay flat in the palm of your recessive hand. Using chopsticks, take a couple of cooked pieces off of the grill and dip in marinade dish. Place in center of leaf. Take a couple of bean sprouts and other vegetables (from the side dishes) and place on top. There will be a dish that contains a red substance that looks like chili puree; this is red bean paste. This condiment is almost as much of a staple as Kim Chi here. Dip your chopsticks into the paste and then spread the paste onto your leaf contents. Fold the sides of leaf around contents snugly (don�t do it too tight, the leaf will break and you�ll be wearing your Bulkoki). Place the entire thing in your mouth. Do not try to bite a piece of the bundle off; this is another way you�ll be adorned with food. I heavily recommend trying the kim chi. The best is the cucumber; the radish kim chi will give you a major gas problem which is not prudent with the club scene. DO NOT get rice in the kim chi!!!! This is a very bad thing to the Koreans. Another thing you can do is put some of the rice on your spoon and dip in your soup (without dumping the rice to the bottom. Rice brings out incredible flavor from the soup.

Other good Bulkoki houses are the Pine Tree (from Main gate of base take left, it will be on right about 100 feet on the second floor) and Bulkoki House (kitty corner from front door of New Town Hotel). Kalbi is the most expensive Bulkoki, other types range from 6000 to 8000 WON.

Blue Opera is another favorite restaurant of mine. It is on the Main Strip of the Shinjang, you can�t miss it. It has a huge gothic motif with a giant white gargoyle protruding from the front. They have incredible coffee here (from what my friends tell me, I can�t have coffee). I love their hot chocolate and teas. The tables have little buttons on them. Ring the button for service. It is a very relaxing atmosphere. Excellent service is definitely an asset here and the variety of food is outstanding. I recommend everything on the menu. Really. Menu prices range from 4000 WON to 12000 WON.

Another restaurant that is similar to Blue Opera is Classy. Classy is located on Arragon Alley (first alley on left after you enter Shinjang). Classy will be on the left. Ask to sit upstairs, the seating up there is incredibly comfy. The best dishes to order are Bib Bim Bop (6000 WON) or Spicy Octopus (16000 WON). The latter is pretty self-explanatory. Bib Bim Bop is an incredible dish. The bowl contents have a base of rice. On top of the rice are beef, sprouts, lettuce, and a few other vegetables. There will also be a fried egg sitting on top and a helping of the red bean paste too. Using your chopsticks and spoon tear the egg into as many pieces as you can. Mix everything in the bowl; make sure you mix the red bean paste all over everything. You can use both your chopsticks and spoon to eat. For an appetizer, I heavily recommend the boiled wantons. Incredible dipping sauce comes with it.

There is also a Chinese restaurant above Burger King, the Golden Gate restaurant above the nightclub that has the best Meatball sub in the world (5000 WON), and a Cajun Restaurant called Mardi Gras right outside the gate on the left on the Second Floor. There is a Filipino restaurant directly outside the door of the New Town Hotel.

Hope you enjoy these restaurants, they are the best in the town. Look for my review of the nightlife, coming soon. Oh, and there will be one more review to this series after that. Here�s a hint: Yaki Mandu, Chicken on a Stick, and Mrs. Kim Burgers. Anyo and Come Sum Ni Da.
This account of the nightlife was written in May 2000 long before 9/11 with the hysteria over terrorist attacks to the military and the enforcement of force protection rules -- ie, ID card checks and the no-backpack rule. Then there was the sex scandals of Jul 2002 where the USFK Town Patrols were accused by FOX TV of abetting human trafficking in the bars of Songtan and Uijongbu -- drawing unwanted and unjustified condemnation to military forces. The the 51st Wing commander made "bar-fining" illegal and punishable under Article 92 (failure to obey a general order) because it gave the "impression" of solicitation for prostitution. Then followed the "morality campaigns" of the USFK and the ROK clampdowns on prostitution in 2003. In 2004, the Russian "juicy girls" were evicted from Korea -- though the Filipinas remained. Then came the "curfew wars" of 2005 that culminated in the civilians demanding "back pay" because they were restricted to their houses by the curfew. Even though the curfew as applied to them was removed, a union suit was initiated dealing with the "back pay." This review of Songtan details the "fun days" of Songtan -- though it was getting very expensive. The following is the third of four parts found at Waiting on Sundown for Songtan Nights:
Waiting on Sundown for Songtan Nights
Pros

Lots and lots of clubs and variety to check out

Cons

Pushy old women trying to get you to buy drinks

Now that I have told you where and how to shop and where and how to eat in Songtan, are you ready for the nightlife? You have food in your belly, you�re dressed to a T, and it is time to experience a nightlife that is deserving of every adjective between pathetic and thrilling. Before you say that doesn�t make any sense, let me explain. I am a DJ at one of the clubs downtown and see a lot of things that are just�.well, let�s say crudely humorous yet completely entertaining.

The main drinks downtown are OB Lager (Korean Beer that is preserved with formaldehyde), and SoJu (basically potato moonshine) based drinks. SoJu is the national drink. This stuff tastes like Diesel fuel by itself but takes on the flavor of whatever it is mixed with. It is also has an unregulated alcohol content. You can drink three or four SoJu drinks and not feel anything, then drink one and get knocked on your butt. And you thought New Hampshire was Live Free or Die! The main drinks for SoJu are Cherry, Lemon, or Grape SoJu�s (mix the Kool-Aid Flavor with SoJu and 7Up); White Dog (SoJu, Yogurt, 7Up, and Vodka); Rice Wine; and Korean Wine. Each bar also has its own Novelty drinks.

Most of the bars here in Korea have what are called Juicy Girls. In some clubs they just sit with you or play pool with you; in others, they dance very scantily clad, put on various types of shows (you�ll never drink beer the same way again), but all are doing the job for a disgustingly low salary. They are contracted from Russia, Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, and various places in Korea just to name a few. Some actually enjoy doing it, some are paying off debts that were incurred by themselves or their family. When you go into the clubs that have the dancing girls, you will notice some things. First off, if the girl is generously proportioned in the abdominal area, hips, or legs: she�s paying a debt. If she is Korean and is top heavy, they are fake or she has a mixed bloodline. If the dancer is wearing a one piece, she had a baby or has stretch marks. If she isn�t wearing a thong, it�s a female thing.

So, here is where the pathetic part comes in. Most guys get upset when a regular female patron asked them to spend 2500 WON on a beer. Yet, the drinks that these same guys are buying for the Juicy girls (who they have even less of a chance of going home with than the female patron) are anywhere from 6000 WON to 10000 WON. AND THESE GUYS BUY THEM! Oh, and most of the time, all the drink has in it is Orange Juice. Hence the term, Juicy Girl. Now don�t be fooled by thinking that the bars that don�t have dancing girls don�t have Juicies. They all do.

The really funny thing is what is called ticketing or Bar-Fining. This is where a male patron pays the club that a certain Juicy Girl works at $100/hr or $200/night (Sunday � Thursday) or $300/night (Friday � Saturday) to take her out. She is basically an escort. On top of this cost, you have to pay for everything for her that night as well. Every night, I see at least twenty bar-fines walking around downtown. Granted these girls only get two nights off a month. But�most of these girls have boyfriends already or are married.

Want to find out which ones have boyfriends/husbands/lovers? Sit up in the windows of the Dragon Club, Hurricane, Roxy, Golden Butterfly, or My House Up (Rodeo Club) between 1700 and 2000. This is the best view to watch what is called the Juicy Parade. This is where all the girls walk to work with their boyfriends/husbands/lovers and then about 2000 is when you see the customers show up. This parade is where most people�s nights start out. But when the sun goes down, the Strip takes on an almost Vegas-like aura.

One hot spot is Arragon Alley. This is the first alley on your left as you enter the Shinjang Shopping Plaza. This alley is named such for the red pavement that makes its street. Down this alley is EZRiders, a Harley Davidson themed bar, which is a good place to watch a Juicy Parade on Friday and Saturday because the Juicies are all coming from the hair parlor not far from the end. Across the street is Big Ten Club, which plays mostly classic rock. The best bars on this strip are Whiskey Go Go and Scandals. The only club on this alley that has dancing Juicies is the Crystal Club. You have to stop in the Boogie House. It will be on your right. Go in and ask for a Snake Shot. It costs 20000 WON, is a real poisonous snake in a bottle of SoJu that tastes like a biology experiment and you get a T-shirt for it. Oh, they take your picture too. Oh, and you have to change into the shirt right there. Male or female.

At the end of the Alley, take a right and follow the block of buildings. Don�t go in the building on the left, it�s a prostitution house. You will get arrested. One of my troops tried to buy a hooker for 1000 WON (that�s about 90 cents). They threw him out. Keep following this alley and you will come to Paradise Club and Hooters- Korea. Both are kind of dives, but they will make you appreciate the bars back up on the strip. Make sure you get your T-shirt from Hooters, too.

As you come out of Hooters, take a right. Then take another right. This is Young Chon alley. This alley has the nicest hotel in Songtan (Young Chon Hotel), a fantastic coffee shop below it, and two of the more popular bars in town. The Young Chon nightclub, right below the hotel of the same name, will be on your right and have a Russian Costumed Traditional Dance Show. Across the street is Juliana�s, another big Russian bar. Both bars have pretty good size dance floors.

Head up the hill and come back on the Strip. Take a left and walk until you cross the railroad tracks. In front of you will be Songtan Nights (formally Wide Wings). This is another Rock N� Roll club that features live bands on a regular basis. Be sure to catch Friction if you can. They can really jam. Behind this club is a five-story building that houses the Zone on the top floor. The entrance is on the side, go up one flight of stairs and take the elevator to the fifth floor. This is another big Russian bar that has a huge dance floor, features live bands too, and two of the best pool tables in Songtan. The view is spectacular too.

After you leave there, go back down the strip. Most of the clubs are pretty much the same. The best ones on the Strip are the Dragon and My House. The Dragon is the last club before you come to before Arragon Alley again. This is one of the most popular clubs. The women who come to you to try and get you to buy drinks for the Juicies are very assertive here. There�s your warning. My House is across the street. The downstairs is Rock N�Roll and R & B. Upstairs is a Country Bar. The Upstairs has two novelty drinks. One is a Cowboy Special. It tastes like Orange Kool-Aid and is made with SoJu, Red Wine, Bacchus, Orange Juice, and 7Up. Comes in a 22oz mug for 4000WON. The other novelty drink is Stampede. This drink tastes like Grapefruit juice and the name appropriately describes its effects. It is made of Orange Juice, 7Up, Bourbon, Gin, Rum, and SoJu. It is a full shot of the first three liquors, and a lot of SoJu with a splash of O.J. and 7Up.

If you take the street across from Arragon Alley, you will find the U.N. Club on your right. This is a very popular spot also. It thrives on 80�s cheese metal, and hard rock,with some of the newer rock thrown in. The drinks for the girls are only 6000WON but it�s still orange juice. Oh, and they all have Korean boyfriends and husbands.

A new bar that is becoming increasingly popular is the Chicken Head. This is located on the hill to the right as you leave the Shinjang. Hashers (a social group that chases each other for beer; you�d have to do it to understand it) frequent this bar and provide some excellent entertainment. There is something about this bar that makes people take their clothes off and hang them off of the lamps, walls, and anything else they could. Oh, and at least one of the TVs has a pornographic video playing.

There is one thing that you can get at any bar down here in Songtan. It�s called an AMMO Bowl. This is named after the ordnance corps of the Air Force, which I happen to be a member of. They are infamous for taking liquors that don�t belong together and mixing them into some concoction. The clubs down here liked this theory and the community has embraced it. Basically, the bars take a huge bowl, fill it � with ice. They then add SoJu, Beer, 7Up, and whatever other liquors they feel like until the bowl is full. They then throw about 20 straws in it and everyone in your group starts sucking away. I�ve seen people try to drink one by themselves. I don�t recommend this. You won�t make it to your hotel.

Other bars that are popular are the Batman, Golden Gate, Mirage, and Xanadu. They are all on the strip. The Phoenix has a live nude show and that is the only time it gets busy. It is on the same alley as U.N. Club, about 100 feet before it.

The bars close at 1am Sunday thru Thursday and at 3am on Friday and Saturday and on the eve of holidays and military day-offs. If you are hungry, read my next review. The restaurants will be closed by now, and it�s time to taste the lower end of the food spectrum. You�ll love yaki mandu, chicken on a stick, and Mrs. Kim burgers. Check it out. It will be posted soon.
The following is the last of his four parts about Songtan. It deals with the "fine dining" on the curbside from the street food vendors. The advice of JW Cummings is timeless. Again we must compliment Mr. Cummings on his descriptive writing skills. It gives a good picture of the street food vendors that populate the Shinjang Shopping Mall. The following is the last of four parts found at Yaki, Mrs. Kim, and Chicken on a Stick...Huh?:

Yaki, Mrs. Kim, and Chicken on a Stick...Huh?
Here is the last part of four part series on what I have experienced while stationed here in South Korea. This is the fun part. You�ve done your shopping, eaten at a fine restaurant, experiencing the effects of SoJu and now you have the munchies again since you haven�t eaten in eight hours. So where do you go for food at this time of night? Look all up and down the strip, and I�m sure you will find something.

The busiest places on the strip at this time of the night are the Yaki stands. Everything at these stands are deep-fried and salted heavily. You will love the sensation of your arteries clogging as you are loaded with SoJu. Here you can get Yaki Mandu (wanton-like pasta stuffed with vegetables and meat), hot Korean Peppers (they are usually 4 �5 inches long, and have a grenade effect: wait five seconds after biting, you�ll get burned), shrimp, squid tentacles, and potatoes. They will ask you how much, tell them how much WON you want to spend. Basically, it comes to a pound/1000WON. Give them a little bit of a hard time (�OH ADJI-MA!!! YOU GAVE ME MORE LAST NIGHT!!!� It works every time) and you�ll get some extra.

Another good place to stop is Mrs. Kim Hamburgers. Now be careful which stand you go to. The one I frequent has a Blue and White sign, and is located in front of the OB Lounge. It will be on your left as you walk towards the entrance to the Shinjang, about 300 feet away. Order a Cheeseburger. This cheeseburger is the best and will remind you of the Carl�s Jr. motto: �It�s not any good unless it�s all over your face.� She grills the buns, and the condiments you get are interesting: Mayonnaise, Mustard, Ketchup, cabbage, cucumbers, hot sauce, American cheese and two fried eggs. She does break the yolks so it�s not all runny. I know this may not sound appealing, but trust me. It is incredible and only cost 2000WON. Make sure you tip her too. She�s about seventy years old and on her feet for eight hours dealing with drunks. Make her day. The only other things I recommend from her stand are the hot dogs (served with cucumbers, cabbage, hot sauce, ketchup, and mayonnaise) and the ham, egg, and cheese sandwich. These only cost 1500WON but aren�t as much fun to eat. I do not recommend the kim chi burger. The other Mrs. Kim has a red sign and is located at the corner of the alley across from the Blue Opera. I don�t recommend her. She doesn�t refrigerate her meat and doesn�t clean her grill regularly like Blue and White Mrs. Kim.

A big thing that a lot of people get is Chicken On A Stick. Nobody knows if it is really chicken, but they still eat it. Chunks of white meat BBQ�d over hot coals with a spicy sauce that makes your lips smack. The Chicken on A Sticks are only 1000WON. You�ll see people walking around with five and six of these. Be careful where you get yours. I only recommend two places. The stand at the top of Arragon Alley, which also conveniently has a Yaki stand behind it, is very good. The best place is J.J�s Best Chicken Stick. It is a blue truck sitting at the entrance to the Shinjang right in front of the main gate to Osan AB. This guy has a rotisserie he cooks the sticks in first and then pulls them out and BBQ�s the sticks to order. He is also very generous with the sauce. I don�t recommend the other stands because of Sanitation reasons. The women who run them I have personally seen change children�s diapers on the stand and they walk around picking up sticks from ones that were already eaten to reuse the stick.

There are other stands that sell these white rice sticks. I don�t particularly care for them. In fact, the only people I see eat them are the Koreans. There are also these little cafeteria stands that serve Kim Chi, Jopjop (clear rice noodle with spices, meat and seaweed), kim bop (seaweed wrapped around rice, ham, egg, and cabbage), and various stir-fries and soups. Pretty good eating if you have the time and very inexpensive.

Well, I hope that I have given you some good directions, insight, and ideas of where and what to do while visiting this part of Korea. I also hope that you�ll want to visit this great peninsula. There is so much to do here, like visiting Inchon, Seoul, and so many other places. But that will have to come in another review of �The Land of the Morning Calm.�

36th FS in Sunlight (36th Fiends Site)

25th FS and 36th FS (USAF Photo)

36th FS F-16s over West Sea (USAF Photo)

Runway Closure at Osan (May 2000) Osan's runway closed for repairs 03 May 2000 causing a diversion of most of the base's flight operations to nearby Suwon Air Base (a Republic of Korea air force installation) until the project was completed 31 May 2000. Construction management, horizontal and other civil engineer shops replaced 20 concrete slabs, remove melted rubber from the runway, and repair taxiways, among other projects. Osan's fleet of A-10s, F-16s, U-2s, the Osan Eagle and other aircraft operated out of Suwon, but helicopter operations continued at Osan. The base's C-12s operated out of nearby Camp Humphreys. Flightline workers commuted back and forth between Osan and Suwon, and about 60 to 70 people were billeted there full-time. Adding Osan's two flying squadrons to a base that already had a full flying schedule with five flying squadrons of its own really impacted the number of sorties Suwon can support. This caused a reduction in Osan's flight operations during the month. In past years, Osan closed its runway up to two weeks at a time for repairs, and the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron worked continuously throughout the year to fix immediate runway problems. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org: Osan.)

Osan AB Population assigned-served: As of 18 February 2000
Active Duty Officer: 721
Active Duty Enlisted: 5592
Family Members: 1500 (approx)
US Civilian Employees: 470 (includes NAF off-duty mil)

Total Osan Population: 8283 (Source: Installation Guide)

Map of Osan AB (2001)

The following photos by Curly Knepp, Maj, USAF (Ret) were found at Korean War Photos by Bob West. The photos document many of the changes that occurred at Osan after military construction funds were released in 1996 after being placed on a hold for 5 years due to the Nunn-Warner initiative. Even though Osan, located next to Songtan -- a part of Pyongtaek City -- is considered a remote assignment, a stroll down the base's main drag says otherwise. There, the aroma of American fast-food restaurants pulls in hungry customers, especially students attending a Department of Defense high school across the street. Considering Osan's mission and locale, many newcomers are astonished to see family members, especially children. After all, word has it that Osan is an unaccompanied tour. Not so; the base has nearly 400 accompanied slots, primarily for mission-essential positions. Osan, with its 37 dorms, is second only to Lackland AFB, Texas, in the number of single/unaccompanied living quarters, and three new dorms are under construction at the Korean base. By the turn of the century, enlisted dorms were refurbished to include not only the common areas, but also new furniture for the majority of the 9,700 rooms. Contrary to belief, Osan troops don't live in Quonset huts or tents (Source: GlobalSecurity.org: Osan AB)

Osan Main Gate (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Main Gate from Inside Gate area (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Osan AB Curfew Sign (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Curfew changed in 2004

Dormitory on Hill 180 (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Completed 1987

Osan Officers Club (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Opens Fall 1987

Osan AB Hospital (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Completed 1987

Osan "MiG Alley" Bowling Center (2001)
Best in USAF (2004) (Curly Knepp)

Supply Building with Dryvit Exterior Upgrade (2001) (Curly Knepp)
First Permanent Building on Osan in 1952

Osan Swimming Pool (2001) (Curly Knepp)

Turumi Inn Visitor Lodgings Under Construction (2001) (Curly Knepp) Lodge Completed in 2002

Static Display at Doolittle Gate. F-86 painted with colors of "Beauteous Butch", the aircraft flown by the leading Korean War ace, Captain Joseph McConell. (2001) (Curly Knepp) (NOTE: The aircraft is actually s/n 52-4573 painted as 51-2910. (Source: Baugher Site).)

(L) VFW Post 10216 commander Ron Davis Salutes (1 Feb 2001) (Stars and Stripes) (R) Flags in background at Hill 180 Memorial Ceremonies (Feb 2001) (Jim Price) (NOTE: Ceremony commemorating actions taken made by Company E of the 27th Infantry Division on 7 Feb 1951. On that day, Hill 180 became the scene of intense fighting between American and Chinese troops. Company E was ambushed by Chinese troops on top of the hill. Pinned down and running low on ammunition, Capt. Lewis Millet led the first American company strength bayonet charge since the First World War and took the hill.)

(L) Jim Price and Curly Knepp at Monument (R) Jim Price and Ex-Songtan Police Chief Kim Yong-Bin (Jim Price)

Hardened Communications Bldg (2001) (Curly Knepp)
Completed in 1990

The Hardened Theater Air Control Center at Osan AB is the largest Combined Air Operations Center in the world. The "Hardened" in the HTACC's designation derives from the 10-foot-thick walls, hence the nickname "Cheyenne Mountain of South Korea." The Hardened Theater Air Control Center's Defense Red Switch Network provided superior multi-level, self-authenticating, flexible, secure communications, which enhanced leadership's command and control effectiveness.

Osan needs data supplied by its tenant reconnaissance/intelligence units, such as the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. Nicknamed the Blackcats, the 5th RS flies the gliderlike U-2s on daily missions that can last 11 or 12 hours. There's no rest for a unit that delivers information capable of deciding a battle's outcome. After two decades of being the warfighter's eyes and ears in Korea, the 5th has flown more than 7,000 operational sorties. Using data-link capabilities in near real-time, the 5th RS provides fresh images to the 607th Air Intelligence Squadron for dissemination to policy-makers and combat troops.

Though the ROKAF Tactical Air Control Center at Osan became operational in 1983, the Theater Air Control Center has a full control over all air operations. Reconnaissance aircraft and air defense radar sites inform the center about potentially hostile aircraft before they enter South Korean airspace. In wartime this capability is expected to allow South Korean air controllers more time to assess threat and the ability quickly to communicate orders to interceptor aircraft and surface-to-air missile sites.

31st SOS
31st Special Operations Squadron Deactivated (Jun 2001) When 31st SOS left Osan, it marked the end of the MH-53 Pave Low missions in the Pacific theater. The 31st Special Operations Squadron Black Knights are no more. The 50-year-old unit held an inactivation ceremony and the squadron members gradually rotated to units outside Korea. The unit will be augmented by airmen from helicopter units at Hurlburt Field, Fla. This was the first step in preparation for the arrival of the CV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. The 353rd Special Operations Group, the squadron�s parent unit at Kadena Air Base, Japan said, the new aircraft would increase the command�s long-range mission, (even) sending teams into politically denied or hostile territory -- and still carry the 31st banner.

MH-53 Pave Low

During its nine years at Osan, the squadron has used its MH-53J Pave Low III helicopters for humanitarian flights and classified night missions. (NOTE: The 31st SOS arrived in 1992, but officially it was assigned to Osan on 13 Mar 1993.) The Pave Low is a long-range, all-weather helicopter capable of flying at very low altitudes through zero-visibility weather. When the squadron leaves Korea in June, its helicopters will be reassigned to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.. Army units will take up special operations and rescue missions in South Korea once the Air Force squadron is deactivated. The following story is from the Stars and Stripes on 16 Apr 2001:

31st Special Operations Squadron leaves humanitarian legacy behind
By Jim Lea, Osan bureau chief

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea � The 31st Special Operations Squadron, as its name implies, has flown many missions in its nine years in South Korea that can be spoken of only in whispers between people who that need to know.

But when its MH-53J Pave Low helicopters lift off the Osan tarmac for the last time later this year, the squadron will leave behind a life-saving legacy in the Pacific that�s hard to match.

For the nearly 50 years it and its predecessors have spent in the Western Pacific, the squadron has accounted for saving more than 1,000 lives in combat, natural disasters and accidents.

The latest of those "saves" took place Feb. 27 when one of the squadron�s Pave Lows sped through dense clouds and a snowstorm at night to rescue three South Koreans on tiny Paeng Nyong island only seven miles from North Korea in the Yellow Sea. The two most seriously injured likely would have died, said Lt. Col. Brendan G. Clare, if the 31st hadn�t been available to fly them to Seoul for treatment.

MH-53J Pave Low III (MH-53J Pave Low III)

But rescue has always been part of the 31st�s job. It traces its roots to the 31st Air Rescue Squadron activated at Clark Air Base in the Philippines in November 1952. Since then, it has evolved through several unit designations including Detachment 1, 33rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and 31st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.

It became the 31st Special Operations Squadron at Clark in 1989. As such, it was part of the 353rd Special Operations Wing headquartered at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa and the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Air Force Base, Fla.

In 1990, the unit was called on to perform its biggest humanitarian mission. Three hours after a massive earthquake devastated the city of Baguio in the northern Philippines on July 16, four 31st helicopters and crews made night flights to the city to deliver medical supplies and personnel.

Over the next several weeks, the unit evacuated more than 8,000 people from the area and delivered some 54 tons of food and supplies.

When Mount Pinatubo erupted a year later, 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.

MH-53J Pave Low III (MH-53J Pave Low III)

At the squadron inactivation ceremony Brig. Gen. Richard L. Comer, Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander, called the deactivation a "sad occasion." People who have been assigned to the 31st over the years have carried out "an untold number of humanitarian-like individual rescues and medical evacuations," he said.

"They have had the attitude that, �whatever you want done, we�ll do it. If it�s rescue or airlift or special operations, we�ll find a way to do it,�" he said.

Comer said that when the squadron flies its Pave Lows out of Osan for the last time, "it will mark the end of U.S. Air Force MH-53 operations in the Pacific."

The long-range, all-weather aircraft has the capability of flying at very low altitude at night.

During their three decades of use by the Air Force in the Pacific, Pave Lows took part in combat operations in Vietnam evacuating Phnom Penh and Saigon in 1975 then rescuing the 19-man crew of the merchant ship Mayaguez, which was captured by Cambodian forces in the Gulf of Siam.

When the 31st leaves South Korea in June, its Pave Lows will be transferred to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Americans Accused of Illegally Shooting Birds Near Osan Runway: Poaching or Bird Strike Prevention? (Jan 2001) According to the Stars and Stripes on 19 Jan 2001, South Korean police accused three U.S. Army officers and a government contract civilian employee of illegally shooting 90 ducks and geese near the Osan Air Base runway. The men, apprehended by police, include a colonel and a major assigned to the U.S. Forces Korea staff and a lieutenant colonel assigned to the 6th Cavalry Brigade at Camp Humphreys, about five miles south of Osan. The men were apprehended less than one mile southwest of the Osan runway, police said. Hunting in the area is prohibited, and the men had expired hunting licenses. When questioned, the men told Korean investigators they were shooting the birds as part of a military program aimed at keeping the Osan runway clear of birds. Police turned the accused over to military authorities and are preparing papers to turn the case over to government prosecutors. The South Korean Environment Ministry reportedly has asked USFK to punish the men. The ministry sent a letter to USFK asking that personnel in the command be informed of appropriate regulations and that steps be taken to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.

There was confusion, however, over whether shooting the birds was illegal. The civilian involved had been a volunteer member of Osan�s Bird/Aircraft Strike Hazard program for 11 years. The program, operated by the base safety office, is aimed at keeping the runway clear of birds since bird strikes during landing and take off can cause aircraft to crash. The men had paperwork signed in January 2000 by the mayor�s office in Pyongtaek, the community in which the air base is located, authorizing them to shoot birds as part of the bird strike program. Whether that authority had expired is one of the points under investigation at the time. If the authority had expired, she said, the officers involved in the incident were not aware of it. In the past, Osan safety officials have said that killing birds on and around the runway is done only as a last resort. Officials attempt to keep the runway clear by using other tactics, including firing a noise cannon to scare them away. Food sources and nests also are removed near the runway.

B-52 Deploys to Osan (Jul 2001) The 93rd Bomb Squadron deployed a B-52 to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on 18 July 2001 to take part in Global Power 2001. Global Power missions are Air Combat Command tasked bombers out of the continental United States on long-range missions. The purpose of the mission is to execute the long-range strike capability of the bomber force and demonstrate both the responsiveness and flexibility of the U.S. Air Force and America�s ability to respond quickly to any crisis. Global Power missions provide bomber units with practice in over-water navigation, joint operations, foreign country coordination, non-standard mission planning and range activities, international flight planning, and physiological aspects of long duration flights. To execute the mission, the B-52 crew took off from Barksdale and flew to Anderson AFB, Guam, continued their mission to Osan and returned to Barksdale on July 25. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org.)

25th FS Patch

25th FS A-10 awaiting night takeoff

A-10 Crash (Jan 2001) Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II 80-0158 (51st FW, 25th FS) crashed near Osan, Korea Jan 12, 2001. Pilot ejected safely. (Source: Military Plane Accidents and Joe Baugher Site: 1980.)

25th FS A-10A 20mm gun (2002) (USAF)

25th FS A-10A on ramp (2002) (USAF)

Osan, ROKAF pilots train together in 7th AF 'Buddy Wing' (Mar 2001) According to PACAF News on 2 Mar 2001, eleven ROKAF pilots and maintainers from the 155th Fighter Squadron, based at Choong-won Air Base, trained with Osan�s 36th Fighter Squadron as part of 7th Air Force�s "Buddy Wing" program. The exchange allowed U.S. Air Force and ROKAF fighter units to train together and prepare for combined operations. The ROKAF contingent, led by Maj. Moon Kaeun-sik, consisted of five pilots and six maintainers. For three days, the ROKAF team worked side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts, flying missions, and maintaining and servicing F-16 aircraft. The program provided both sides with an opportunity to share techniques for combat execution and training.

RoKAF F-16D meets up with 36th FS F-16C at end of runway (USAF Photo) (3 May 2001)

Capt Kim Jung-soo and Maj Kim Young-woon await taxi at Osan (USAF Photo) (24 Feb 2001)

U-2 of the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th RW (USAF Photo) (3 May 2001)

U-2 Milestone: "Dragon Lady" 329 logs 20,000 flying hours (Feb 2001) On 25 Feb 2001, U-2S "Dragon Lady" aircraft, tail number 68-10329, officially logged 20,000 flying hours. Lt. Col. Jon Engle piloted the aircraft during its historic hour. The 5th RS is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., an Air Combat Command unit. Known in shortened form as "329," the aircraft took its maiden flight Aug. 28, 1967 with Lockheed Skunk Works test pilot Bill Park at the controls. Since then, it has flown with the Central Intelligence Agency from California and Taiwan, the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale, and the 5th RS here. Aircraft 329 was the first U-2S aircraft to roll off the production line. It also was the first to carry the distinctive "superpods" that are a common sight on U-2S flights today. The 5th RS started at Osan AB as the Det 2, 100th SRW in Feb 1976 and celebrated 25 years at Osan in 2001.

Osan needs data supplied by its tenant reconnaissance/intelligence units, such as the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. Nicknamed the Blackcats, the 5th RS flies the gliderlike U-2s on daily missions that can last 11 or 12 hours. There's no rest for a unit that delivers information capable of deciding a battle's outcome. After two decades of being the warfighter's eyes and ears in Korea, the 5th has flown more than 7,000 operational sorties. Using data-link capabilities in near real-time, the 5th RS provides fresh images to the 607th Air Intelligence Squadron for dissemination to policy-makers and combat troops.

The following is from TaiwanAirPower.org: U-2 Appendix. For those of us who remember watching high-powered Ford Rancheros racing down the runway to catch the black bird that would balance on gyros at the end of the runway until the wing wheels were affixed, this article is of great interest. Even now we're fascinated as the U-2S floats in for a landing as we watch it from the rail overpass leading to the Doolittle Gate -- and for those of us who can remember the Gary Powers U2 crash in Russia, we marvel at an old gal, the Dragon Lady, that just won't quit. This history of the Black Cats of Osan AB was written by LtCol Charles "Chuck" Wilson and MSgt James McKinley.
History of the Dragon Lady and the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron "The Blackcats"

by LtCol Charles "Chuck" Wilson and MSgt James McKinley

The need for aerial reconnaissance was perhaps first realized when the Duke of Wellington, Napoleon's adversary at Waterloo, once remarked "the most difficult part of warfare was seeing what was on the other side of the next hill." Early in the 20th Century General Werner von Fritsch, Commander- in-Chief of the German Army in World War I, predicted "The nation with the best aerial reconnaissance facilities will win the next war." Thus, the world powers soon found themselves in a race for the ultimate means of obtaining aerial reconnaissance. By 1952, the U.S. government had used existing aircraft and balloons for photo reconnaissance. In 1953, the government sought ideas on a new reconnaissance aircraft from civilian contractors. Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson, designer at the Skunk Works Division of Lockheed, submitted his proposal for a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft in March 1954. He took a F104 and made major modifications to the structure. The result was an aircraft later named the U-2. The letter U designated the aircraft as a "utility" aircraft. Eight short months later, in November 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the U-2 program.

In 1956 the term "Dragon Lady" was born with a major Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operation by the same name using the U-2. "Dragon Lady" was the name of a popular comic strip during this time that seemed to represent the nature of U-2. The word dragon is associated with earlier British projects to gain information about German rocket programs. Eventually, in the reconnaissance world, the term dragon was used to refer to individuals processing scientific or technical information.

On 14 December 1960, Detachment H was created in Taiwan. The "Blackcat" nickname associated with the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron was started by Detachment H. Det H flyers would frequent an establishment called the "Blackcat" in a nearby town. The name "Blackcat" soon became synonymous with the members of the U-2 Det. The original Blackcat patch was designed in 1961 by Lieutenant Colonel Chen, Whei-Shen. Lt Col Chen was shot down on 1 September 1962.

The U-2 program remained under the reigns of the CIA from 1954 until 1974 when it was turned over to the United States Air Force. The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron evolved shortly thereafter. In February 1976, personnel from the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona and the 99th SRS at operating location UA, U-Tapao Airfield Thailand, deployed to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to establish a 90 day test program. The first TDY Commander was Colonel L. M. Kidder who was replaced in late March 1976 by Lieutenant Colonel R.B. Birkett. In pril of that year the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed the 99th SRS to move from U-Tapao to Osan. In mid-May 1976, Lieutenant Colonel David G. Young arrived with the last contingent from U-Tapao and replaced Lieutenant Colonel Birkett. Shortly after his arrival, Lieutenant Colonel Young established the "Blackcat" as the Operating Location nickname. In July 1976, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry C. Sinclair arrived as the first PCS Commander. In September 1976, the 100th SRW was inactivated and OL-AO became Detachment 2 of the 9th SRW of Beale AFB, CA. During October 1994, Det 2 of the 9th RW became the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron.

The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron is a subordinate unit to the 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, California. The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit at a forward operating location tasked with a real-world classified reconnaissance mission and under the operational control of United States Pacific Command. 5RS flies highly sensitive reconnaissance missions, mainly supporting US forces in Korea. These missions are santioned by the National Command Authorities thru the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There are approximately 230 men and women assigned to the 5RS. About one fourth of the squadron is composed of civilian contractors representing six corporations associated with the U-2 aircraft and means of reconnaissance. The squadron has three full time pilots and utilizes four to five TDY pilots from Beale AFB CA. The TDY pilots and Physiological Support Division personnel are on 60-75 day tours of duty. U-2 pilots spend an average of 140-180 days per year TDY at different U-2 detachments world-wide. Since 1976, the unit has flown over 8,400 nine-hour operational sorties, utilizing an integrated suite of all-weather multi-spectral sensors. The unit has maintained an outstanding 98 percent mission effectiveness rating, despite challenging weather and a long logistics trail. Significant past events include the 1976 DMZ "tree cutting" incident. The unit provided continuous coverage of North Korea during the tense period that followed this unprovoked act by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In telligence gathered by the U-2 helped preclude further hostile action by North Korea. Since 1976, surge operations have been conducted many times due to heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. In 1987, President Roh Tae Woo visited the detachment to honor the unit for its outstanding contribution to the security of the country. In addition to conducting intelligence gathering missions, the unit has flown humanitarian sorties to assess ROK environmental concerns, such as flood damage, and assist the Philippines in surveying the devastation caused by the Mount Pinatubo eruption.

Lieutenant Colonel William R. Horton served as the Det 2 Commander from 1977 to 1978. "Oscar," the detachment mascot (black cat), was given to all Blackcats as a departing gift from Lt Col Horton. Oscar has remained a true friend and a faithful supporter to all personnel since his arrival. Oscar went AWOL and Oscar Jr. was acquired as a replacement mascot. He has successfully carried out all traditional mascot responsibilities, and has earned a reputation throughout the U-2 world. On 1 October 1994, Detachment 2 deactivated and the Blackcats received their current designation, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. Lieutenant Colonel Scott D. Mefford was the commander.

In 1995, Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. "Chuck" Wilson II, became the commander. During this time, the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron was the first unit to bring the new U-2S model aircraft fully operational. Lieutenant Colonel "Chuck" Wilson piloted the first ever U-2S operational mission on 20 October 1995. The unit was also the first U-2 operational unit inspected by the Air Combat Command Inspector General. Additionally, the 5RS scored in the top five percent on the 1995 Air Combat Command Quality Air Force Assessment. The 5RS was "benchmarked" by the ACC/IG in both operations and maintenance. 5RS flew the 2000th Advanced Synthetic Aperture RADAR System (ASARS) mission and was the first unit to bring the Enhanced Moving Target Indicator on line. The squadron was recipient of the 1995 Lockheed Advanced Development Corporation Hughes Trophy, distinguishing the unit as the best reconnaissance squadron. 5RS was also nominated for the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. This citation has been approved with the award yet to be presented.

The dedicated men and women of the Blackcat Squadron have sacrificed to meet every challenge of a seven day (and night) a week operation for 20 years Captain Marty McGregor gave the ultimate sacrifice on 15 January 1992 when his U-2 aircraft crashed into the Sea of Japan. His memory lives on every day as the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron remains mindful of the responsibility they bear in this volatile part of the world keeping watch on hazardous peace. The traditional U-2 pilot patch simply stating "Towards the Unknown" speaks for the dedication of all Blackcats.

33rd Rescue Squadron

Det 1, 33rd RS crew evacuates South Korean woman from island (Feb 2001) The HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter took off from Osan Air Base at 1:56 a.m. Feb. 19 to rescue Yu Shin-Ja, a 33-year old in Bek Ryung Island, Yu was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening complication and was in need of an emergency caesarian operation. According to the May 2001 Katchikapshida (USFK Magazine), the 6th Brigade, ROK Marines, assigned to the island requested the ROK Air Force to send a helicopter, which was dispatched, but forced to return due to foggy weather. The ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff then requested U.S. airlift assistance and immediately, a U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with a doctor flew from Osan Air Base to the Paengnyong island, about 120 miles north of Osan in the Yellow Sea.

One of the squadron�s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters left Osan for the island at 4:55 p.m. Inclement weather prevented it from landing, however, and it returned to Osan at 6 p.m. to refuel and change crews. Although the helicopter crew faced weather conditions that reduced visibility to less than one mile in the vicinity of Bek Ryung Island, the Pave Hawk is equipped with sophisticated night vision and navigational capabilities. Additonally, the crew trains routinely in bad weather and low visibility operations, and was well prepared for the mission. However, according to Stars and Stripes in

OSAN AIR BASE AND THE SONGTAN AREA2000-2004

RETURN TO MAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS

THIS IS A WORK IN-PROGRESS AND FACTS ARE BEING ADDED/DELETED DURING THIS PROCESS. THIS IS NOT A COMPLETED HISTORY.

2000:

Osan High senior prank leaves odorous legacy

2001:

Shopping in Korea (Songtan Area)

Bulkoki, Kim Chi, Kalbi...take your pick

Waiting on Sundown for Songtan Nights

Yaki, Mrs. Kim, and Chicken on a Stick...Huh?

31st Special Operations Squadron leaves humanitarian legacy behind

OSAN AIR BASE AND THE SONGTAN AREA

2000-2004