오산1970-74 이시우 2006/05/09 1244

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1970
AFKN Newsletter (Mar 70): Radio Comet RADIO COMET The Radio COMET staff spent the early part of December tying up leftovers from Marathon 1969. This year’s marathon ran for twenty-five hours during the last weekend in November and collected over $3,200 for our six Base-sponsored orphanages. The entire broadcast was remoted from the Osan Service Club and fed to the studio building where reports from the mobile unit, open messes and telephones were mixed by studio engineers. Credit for this year’s success can go to Larry Sly, our anchor announcer who came down from Seoul, Ken Lott, mobile unit announcer from Munsan, and Mark Whatley, studio engineer from Taejon.

Not to let the holidays catch us unprepared, much of early December was spent planning a Stag Night party as a thank you to several of the base units that have helped us during the year. We also put together a turkey dinner for our Christmas Ever party here at the station. Helping with the holiday bird were Station Commander, Chuck Hanberry, and his wife “Harvey,” Bill and the soon to be Mrs Cranney, Dick Houser and friend, and Dirty Dave Weber. Also with us were security policeman Tom Weldon and wife, bartender Paul Reiling and Mark Whatley who slipped out or Taejon again to join us.

Radio COMET played “Platters for Pints” 23 January in a joint drive between Suwon and Osan Air Bases. Once again, the broadcast was remoted with the disc jockey working out of the Service Club and mixing done in the studio. A special three-way phone circuit was used between the service club disc jockey, the studio engineer and the record librarian working the card catalog. This way, every man requesting a song heard it played over Service Club speakers before he 1eft the building.

Two days later, remote faci1ities were set up at the Osan Base Gym ror coverage of the 314th Air Division Basketball Finals. Mike Soper did an excellent job calling the action as Kunsan beat out Kwangju ror the championship. Listeners in Kunsan as well as Taegu were able to fo11ow the game live through feeds set up by the 2146th Communications Group. The Radio COMET staff even managed to get into the basketball act through the carefu1 guidance or coach Bill Cranney as we defeated the Base Gym Staff by the skin of our teeth in the rirst Radio Wonder basketball game.

“Sophisticated Soul” premiered on each local ha1f-hour during February. Reggie Sullivan, from the base information office, approached us with the idea and carried the project through. The purpose is to get a greater variety o?soul music on the air and not just the charted commercial soul. Reggie carts about ten voice-overs each week, telling something special about a particular song or artist, and these are played back along with the corresponding record following the half-hour weather break.

Radio COMET also sent three baking teams on a broadcast from the February Pizza Party Contest at the Double Five Service Club. Engineer, David Weber, won in the most original creation category. Fifty free chicken dinners were given away during February to morning show listeners through the Snack Bar Delivery Service as they began chicken-in-a-basket service. Bill Cranney got free long enough to really get himself tied down for good when he was married in Seoul on 10 February.

Radio COMET was also around to cover recent choice entertainment on base when Walter and Gracie Lantz arrived 5 December, special NCO Club show on 13 January, and the Beulah Bryant Show on 9 February. (Source: Imjin Scout: AFKN Newsletter (March 1970).)

AFKN Newsletter (May 70): Radio Comet AFKN Radio COMET was on the scene again with “Platters for Pints.” On 3 April, Radio COMET did a remote broadcast from the Double Five Service Club, site of the biggest blood drawing since the Battle of the Bulge. We were on the air from 8 am until 6 pm, and a total of 150 pints of blood were collected. AFKN’s Bill Cranney, Dick Houser and Chuck Hanberry, spun the platters, along with the able assistance of our new part-timers.

Speaking of part-timers, we now have two, AF Sgt Mike Vose, who has worked in the Bangor Maine radio market, and A1C Jack Yack, who spun discs in Joliet, Illinois. Mike is assigned wlth the Weather Squadron, and Dick works in Supply. Both have been an asset to the station in more ways than one.

An Added attraction to programming at Radio Comet is “Sophisticated Soul,” with Reggie Sullivan. SS is heard seven times daily during local hours, and features the latest soul discs, with 30 second voice-overs on the background of the artist or song. Sgt Sullivan works in the IO Shop, and is known as Osan’s number one soul brother.

Radio COMET is losing our engineer, Dave Weber, next month. He has packed his tubes and transistors and will head for Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Sorry Dave, but that is another isolated tour.

AFKN local sports come alive again this spring, with our second season of coverage of the Osan Defender softball team. They opened 26 April with a double header against Suwon. AFKN’s Bill Cranney and Mike Vose call the play-by-play. (Source: Imjin Scout: AFKN Newsletter (May 1970).)
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Songtan Living Conditions (1970): Songtan remained basically as it was in the 1960s. There were very few changes. The economy in the area remained mostly subsistence farming — with the primary business being the US military at Osan AB. Estimates of the time said that 80 percent of the income was drawn from the camptown environs. There were unsubstantiated reports that the amounts of prostitutes that populated the area outnumbered the military population of the base. It was also a sad commentary of the times that the ROK government was praising the prostitutes for bringing in much needed foreign exchange.

Park Chung-hee’s 5-year plans had not taken root as yet. Park’ s economic model was described by Professor Chan Keun Lee. He stated that “this model, having led to the much-acclaimed miracle of the Han River over the past 30 to 40 years, was based on the vertical integration straight from the top to the bottom: as is well known the glorious vision of “compression growth” presented by the despotic ruler, effective macro-economic and industrial policies implemented by bureaucratic elite, encroachment into foreign markets by Chaebols, and sacrifices of all kinds for a bright future on the part of the general public.”

The 1970s could be characterized as a growth staage for Korean Science & Technology (S&T). During this peirod, the focus of industrial development was shifted toward the more capital and technology-intensive industries, and the emphasis of S&T policy was placed on strengthening technical and engineering education in the fields of heavy and chemical industries, improving the institutional mechanisms for adapting imported technology and promoting domestic Research and Development (R&D) to meet industrial needs. In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for qualified scientists and engineers, policy effort was geared to expand technical and engineering education, and a number of government research instittues were established in such fields as machinery, shipbuilding, chemical engineering, marine science, and electronics. (Source: A Handbook of Korea, 1999, p328)

President Park Chung-hee stressed, “If all of us go to work with strong willpower and unswerving courage to achieve self-reliance, and if we conserve what we have today, while producing and earning more, we can compensate for our idleness of the past two decades in the near future.” He called on the people to “have wisdom and uswerving courage and display a strong force of unity, ” and “to establish a just view of the nation and state as patriotic people.” (The Road to National Survival, The Mail Kyungje Shinmun, 1977, p108)

He called on businessmen to “throw away the selfish idea of seekng your own interest only, without paying attention to wages and working conditions. ” (Labor Day message, 10 May 1971) He stated that if the businesses are capable of increasing wages, but fail to do so, the government would step in to mediate. (1976)

President Park initiated the Saemaul Undong to increase farm income. Rapid progress in urban areas was made during the period between 1962-1971 under Park Chung-hee’s Five Year Development Plan. However, rural areas lagged far behind the industrial progress that was being made in the cities. As a result, Park Chung-hee designed and implemented the New Community Movement, or Saemail Undong in 1971. 35,000 village units were involved. Under the Saemaul Undong campaign, most of the 35,000 participating villages launched projects to straighten and widen the roads so that moderate traffic could be more easily accommodated. (A Handbook of Korea, 1999 p 414)

Bridge construction was also undertaken with 65,000 briges built in the the period between 1971-1975. As a result, motor vehicles, ox carts, push carts and motor tillers could reach remote villages and most individual farmhouses, exceept those located on remote islands. (ibid, p415)

Another project called for the renovation of farmouse roofs. In 1971, more than 809 percent of the 1.5 million farmhouses across the country had rice-straw thatched roofs that had to be replaced every winter season, a process that demanded a great deal of work. Renovation programs were carried out and by the end of 1977, almost 1000 percent of the farmhouse roofs were switched to cement tile or slate construction. The appearance or rural villages was altered, and there were some complaints that the “quaint” beauty of the past had been lost. For the people who lived and worked in these rural areas, however, the change was a parctical one that saved both money and labor. (ibid, p415)

Also early on during the Saemaul Undong, the country wide distribution of a newly developed, high-yield rice to farmers, boosted production dramatically during the 1970s. (SITE NOTE: Unfortunately, the high-yield Tongil Rice never gained popularity amongst the Korean populace because of its taste. By the 1990s, the government was attempting to get the farmers to stop production of this rice crop as the warehouses were over-flowing from too much production.) In the period between 1971-1977, the national average rice yield rose from 3.5 to 4.9 tons in polished rice per hectare. (ibid, p415)

The emphasis on cooperation in rural areas had carried over to rice production, and it was quite common to see work teams bade up of 20 – 30 farmers participating in a joint endeavor. Instaed of planiting individual seedbeds scattered in several localities, the rice seedbed was now grown in one location for use by all participating neighbors. Also carried out jointly by the community was the labor that goes into grain variety selection, the production of healthy seedlings, the transplanting of those seedlings to the field, usages of fertilizer and insecticide, weeding, irrigation and harvesting. (ibid, p415)

The success of the Saemaul Undong Program was attributed to good leadership at the village level, spread of the program to urban areas and the material assistance from the government. The “Miracle of the Han” would impact the area eventually in the “trickle down” fashion, it still had not taken root. The Park regime did start to address the disparity between the major cities and the rural areas, but this dealt primarily with birth control or agrarian issues. It was not until the end of the 1970s that some substantive changes started to appear.

The economy of the area remained poor, most of the young people gravitated to the major cities to work for companies offering higher wages. This left only their parents behind. In Korea’s Place in the Sun, A Modern History (p326) it states, “An industrial belt extended north and west from Pusan, linking the free-export zones in Masan and Changwon with new industries in cities like Taegu and Ulsan. Little towns like Kumi and ports erased in the Korean War like P’ohang were transformed overnight into industrial cities because they were near Park’s birthplace (next to Kumi) or were hometowns of one of his close associates (P’ohang). Tile roofs and television antennas sprouted on homes all over the Kyongsangs, while in southwest Cholla peasants living in thatched-roof huts continued their backbreaking agrarian toil at near-subsistence levels, or sent children off to Seoul in search of a job in a tearoom or massage parlor.”

The point is that the “Miracle of the Han” applied to the “T-K” (Taegu-Kyongsang) group. Years later, the feelings of bitterness from the Korean people over this form of regionalism — especially in the Cholla area — that benefitted one part of the country to the detriment of other regional areas. In the Songtan area, the economy was dirt-poor. For the farmers, it was a subsistence existence. In the winter, the farmers would tear up the macadam laid down outside the Osan AB (by the USAF) and use it for winter fuel because of the tar content.

The area remained subsistence farming. Human waste was still the norm for fertilizer for the fields — and “honey” wagons were common sights. The stench that permeated the area in summer could be over-powering. The off-base areas were typical farm areas of the time. The primary farm animal was the oxen used for preparing the rice-fields or drawing carts. Some farmers had small Korean ponies that were used for drawing the carts. The fields were still fertilized with human waste. As most of the land surrounding the Songtan area was in a flood plain and water tables were so close to the surface, periodic flooding did occur when the Chinwi-chon River spilled over.

The farmers still carried their heavy loads piled high on their “A-frame” (chige). Women would be seen carrying heavy loads balanced atop their heads. Old “harabojis” (grandfathers) would be seen in their traditional white garb and baggy pants and woven hats — though wide-brimmed felt hats were also seen.

The main road for the area remained the MSR-1 (Main Supply Route-1) that completed a straightaway from Osan-ni to the Songtan area and on to Seojong-ni and then to Pyeongtaek. Basically it still paralleled the Kyongbu railroad line. The area to the left of MSR-1 (heading towards Pyeongtaek) was still mostly ricefields. (NOTE: The area that became Jisan-dong had not been reclaimed from the swamp and rice-fields at this time.) Cars were still not a common sight and the bus system at the “terminal” (bus stop) on MSR1 (Main Supply Route 1) provided the means of local inter-city transportation. For long distance travel, the Sojeong Train Station still operated connecting Seoul to Suwon and Pyongtaek to Taejon via deisel engines. However, small motorcycles (90cc) were becoming more common on the streets. (The motor scooter varieties still had not appeared as they were suited for urban life, not the country conditions in the Songtan area.) Of course, the ruggedized Korean bicycle was everywhere.

The single-story mudwattle homes with thatched roofs of farmers were slowly giving way to more modern concrete walled structures with transite roots (waffled concrete-asbestoes sheets). The design was very simple. In the old open marketplace in the Shinjang Shopping Market, some of these old structures remain as shops and restaurants. Multi-story buildings were sprouting up, but the majority of the new structures were single story units. Electricity had been run to the country towns, but the farmers ingenuity in “tapping” into the lines by simply throwing a wire over the electrical lines was common. The Koreans remained ingenious beyond belief in keeping antiquated machinery operating.

The presence of AFKN TV and the base nearby could be seen by the appearance of TV antennas in close proximity to the base. At this time the Korean TV station was one state-run station that broadcast out of Seoul. It was black-and-white that came on at 10am and went off at the air at 10pm.
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Hijackings by North Koreans In Jan 1970, ROK citizens throughout country were shocked by the North Korean hijacking of a KAL airliner and the 51 Koreans onboard to the Yonpo Airfield, North Korea. Protests demanded the return of the jet and passengers. In Feb 1970, 30,000 citizens turned out in Seoul to protest KAL hijacking as well as North Korea’s attempt to obtain cholera germs for biological warfare. Initial reports state the hijacking was the act of one passenger, Cho Chung-hi, a former ROK army NCO. On 14 Feb, 31 members are released, but the remaining crew and 9 passengers plus aircraft and cargo remain under the North Korean control.

On 31 March 1970, JAL airliner from Tokyo to Fukuoka hijacked by sword-wielding members of the Japanese Red Guard (Sekigun). The hijackers demand to be taken to Pyongyang. Aircraft lands at Fukuoka to take on fuel and 22 women, children and one old man released. Aircraft diverted to Seoul as a ruse, but hijackers see through the ruse and refuse to deplane. A stalemate occurs. 99 passengers and 7 crew remain on board. Japanese Transportation Vice Minister S. Yamamura offers himself in place of hostages. On 3 Apr the exchange of 50 passengers and 3 stewardesses for Yamamura occurs. After Yamamura on board, the remaining 39 passengers released. On 3 Apr, the aircraft departs for Pyongyang. The Red Guard hijackers have remained in North Korea ever since. The JAL aircraft and Yamamura returned to Tokyo on 5 April.
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USFK-ROK Infrastructure Developments In Jan 1970, the USFK announced that major projects in Korea initiated in early 1968 with the Pueblo/Blue House Crises were nearing completion. The 557th Civil Engineering Squadron completed most of the projects at Osan AB and other bases throughout Korea.

The Pohang-Seoul POL pipeline was completed in November 1970. The pipeline construction crews connected at Taegu in February 1970 and final tests made in Jan 1971. This pipeline was to become the primary means of moving petroleum around the country delivering 40,000-50,000 barrels a day. The pipeline was built by USAFEDE and a US-ROK construction company.

The Seoul-Pusan highway opened up on 30 Jun 1970. The $1.4 billion project for the 267-mile highway was a solely ROK project that took three years to build. The highway included four military aircraft landing zones to be used in military emergencies. (NOTE: Up until the late 1980s, the USFK and ROK would annually practice landings and takeoffs on the highways.)

Seoul’s population exceeded 4.9 million making it one of the largest cities in the world. The ROK GNP was still only $4.35 billion — though an increase of 15.9 percent over the previous year. The Miracle of the Han was still years away and the country was still desperately poor. Salaried workers average $89 a month in wages in 1969.

On 15 Nov, the National Assembly passes legislation creating the Combat Police Force. It was to be exempt from military service and receive the same pay as the military. The plan was to deploy 6,800 personnel over a three-five year period. This was the precursor to the gray-suited paramilitary Riot Police that is seen everywhere today. It would later be fed by the military draft system.

(Source: Eighth United States Army Chronology 1 Jan 1970-30 Jun 1970 and 1 July 1970-31 December 1970)
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Troop Reductions and Modernization of ROK Military: After peace overtures from the North, President Park announced his willingness to open gradual contacts with North Korea. However, he did not know that the North had secretly started building infiltration tunnels under the DMZ in 1970. At the same time, the U.S. wanted to disengage from Korea militarily because of the growing intensity in Vietnam.

On 15 Oct 1970, USFK authorities announced that more than half of the US servicemen involved in the 20,00-man cutback had already left Korea. The spokesman said US military strength in the ROK was at 52,000, down 12,000 from the full strength of 64,000. It was not revealed how soon the remaining 8,000 men will be withdrawn to complete the cutback.

According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), “In 1970, a decision was made to reduce US forces in Korea in view of the capability of the ROK armed forces to take over the primary burden of ground defense of their country and in conjunction with a US-funded, five-year modernization package for the ROK armed forces. In March 1971, the 2nd Infantry Division pulled back from the DMZ and turned over its area of responsibility to a ROK Army division. By late March, the only area of the DMZ still guarded by U.S. troops was a 1,000-meter wide sector in the vicinity of Panmunjom, site of the meetings between the UNC and the Korean People’s Army/Chinese People’s Volunteers components of the Military Armistice Commission. The planned reduction in Eighth Army was completed on schedule as the command’s authorized strength was reduced by over 18,000 by the end of June 1971.”

In Jan 1970, the US News and World Reports stated that troop reductions were being considered since the Vietnam War was winding down. military in Korea is estimated at $1 billion annually. US stated that they had no plans in the foreseeable future of any troop reductions. However, in May, Vice President Spiro Agnew stated that the US was considering a reduction in forces in cooperation with the ROK. Sec of Defense Melvin Laird confirmed that the US was considering a reduction of forces from the 64,000 troop level in 1970.

On 6 Jul the US officially notified the ROK of its reduction plans and meetings set up to discuss time tables and military aid to upgrade the ROK forces. The ROK accepted the US “concept” of a pullout and negotiations began. US military aid to the ROK in 1970 was about $140 million. The cost of maintaining the present level ofSec of Defense Laird stated that the pull-out would be complete by mid-1971, but a significant presence would remain.

The Premier Chung Il-kwon stated that he and 19 members of the cabinet would resign if 20,000 US troops are pulled out. The National Assembly with both parties denounced the troop withdrawal. Civic leaders and ministers around the country denounced the plan. (NOTE: In December when the plan was finalized, Premier Chung Il-kwon who had served for six years was replaced by Premier Paik Tu-chin.)

In July Vice President Spiro Agnew announced the US plan to station a wing of F-4s in the ROK as part of the upgrade of the ROK defense capabilities. This would lead to the creation of the 3rd TFW at Kunsan. In August the DoD announced that the troop reduction was based on the baseline of 63,000 troops authorized, but that the ROK was 10,000 understrength at that moment. Thus the actual numbers would be less than 20,000. The USFK stated that most of the reductions would be accomplished through attrition as the tour is only 13-months.

On 15 Oct, the USFK stated that more than half of the troop reductions had already left Korea and troop strength was down to 52,000. On 15 Nov, Camp Kaiser closed as part of the troop reduction. Camp Kaiser was home of the 1st Bde, 7th ID and housed 2,500 troops. Other 7th ID camps closed were Camp St. Barbara, Camp Alex Williams and Camp Beavers. 2d ID camps were Camp McIntyre, Camp Briton, Camp Sill and Camp Beaumont. I Corps camps were Camps Jackson and Woo.

In Nov President Nixon asked Congress to appropriate $150 million to modernize the ROK military. On 10 Nov President Nixon asked Congress to authorize the transfer of $100 million in equipment to the ROK. The equipment would be primarily tanks left by the US troops after they were removed from the peninsula. Equipment transfers on other systems continued to upgrade ROK forces. For example, three S-2 “Trackers” given to the ROK for coastal defense. Manufacture of the M-16 in Korea was to proceed despite objections from some US Congressmen over damage to US union workers. However, disagreement over patent royalties and US technician treatment stalled the negotiations. (NOTE: The standard for the ROK became the KM-16 which has a foldable stock and is not as forgiving during sighting as the M-16.) In 1970, the majority of ROK troops were still armed with M-1 Garrand and M-2 carbines that were leftovers from the Korean War. However, the ROKF-V forces that were in Vietnam were armed with M-16s and modern weaponry provided by the US military. (NOTE: In 1970, the US was denying any agreement that the ROKF-V equipment and ammunition would be transferred to the ROK. At the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, the ROK was allowed to retain the weapons it used in Vietnam when the ROKF-V returned to Korea.)

Sec of State Rogers told Congress that the $150 million in modernization funding for the ROK would enable the ROK to take over the responsibility for the 18 mile stretch of the DMZ currently covered by the 7th ID. He indicates the overall five-year plan for the modernization of the ROK military would cost $750 million. In Dec, the Congress approved the $150 million package and the ROK indicated that it would use the funds to purchase F-5E aircraft along with speedboats, signal equipment and tanks as part of the modernization process.

The US also announced that it was reducing its 39,000 force in Japan by 12,000. In addition, it was withdrawing 5,000 from the 50,000 in Okinawa. As part of the cutback, the 475th will be moved to Kunsan AB by 30 Jun 1971 and redesignated the 3rd TFW. The EC-121 Warning Star operating at Itazuke would be moved to Kwangju AB.

In 1971, Korean ground troops assumed responsibility for the defense of the 156-mile DMZ with a partial withdrawal of American forces. However, this was bought with a U.S. promise for increased contributions to upgrading the Korean military hardware and financial assistance.

At the same time, the SALT treaty negotiations were going on. In the midst of this there was a shift in U.S. military strategy away from ground-to-air missile defense systems. The U.S. realized that Russian missiles could reach anywhere in U.S. and thus rendered the Nike Ground-to-air missile geared for Russian bomber attacks useless. This would lead to the removal of the system from the U.S. — and Korea.

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1971
The following photos are from the second tour of Harry Tezlaf to Osan AB. The Chinwi River is part of a flood plain that regularly floods and there is heavy flooding about every ten years. The bridges are rather low lying so it does not take much to cover these bridges. Train tracks are the same as they ran through the low-lying areas. Note that in these photos there is high winds indicating that this flooding may be in conjunction with a typhoon.

River Overflowing Bridge (Note: This is the Chinwi River north of the base that is flooding) (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)
Flooding (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)

Flooding in JinWi Myeon(1971) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: This is looking down MSR-1 towards Osan AB. MSR-1 jogs to the right at the base of the hill in the distance.)
Flooding in JinWi myeon (1971) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: This is looking towards Osan-ni down MSR-1 in the long straight-away after what is now the Songtan Fire Department to the left.)

Flooding of Railroad tracks (covered by water) (1971) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: The railroad tracks follow the telephone poles.)
Flooding (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)

Songtan houses in low-lying area (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)
Songtan houses on outskirts (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)

Reforestation of hillsides (1971) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: The national reforestation project was contracted to the Chonju Paper Company — one of the chaebols — in 1970. Villages were given free saplings to plant, while the forests were replanted by work crews. Fast growing trees such as cottonwood or weeping willows were popular. In some forest areas, Australian Nortfolk pines and eucalyptus trees were imported.)

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Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Harry Tezlaf)
Major Fire at Wing HQ

Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: Harry Tezlaf was involved in the fighting of this blaze. Notice the intense heat that buckled the corrugated iron of the quonset huts used since the Korean War.)

Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Thomas Utts)
Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Thomas Utts)

Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Courtesy Thomas Utts)
Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Thomas Utts)

Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Thomas Utts)
6114th Support Wing Headquarters Burns Down According to the Stars and Stripes article the fire destroyed 50-60 offices in the 6114th Support Wing Headquarters and started in the 2146th Comm Group area and quickly spread to the finance and personnel areas. Two were hospitalized and 35 treated for smoke inhilation. Six fire engines responded to the blaze — one from Chicol Village — and a bulldozer cut a fire lane to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings. (NOTE: As a side note, the use of the term “Chicol Village” in the article was strange as the area was Songtan Eup (Town) — and it was the Songtan Fire Department by then. “Chicol Village” had not been used since 1962.)

Tom Utts, then with Public Affairs at Hickam, wrote, “Of course the new buildings were better, air condiditoned, etc. But they lacked the ambiance of the old building with its dark dingy hallways with floors that undulated underfoot, the maze of interconnecting hallways, and the rats nest of small offices heated with potbelly oil stoves.”

The diesel fuel stoves were dangerous if one did not clean out the flue pipes periodically because of the carbon soot buildup. If not done regularly, the soot would basically start to glow like charcoal and the wood materials adjacent to the flue pipe would ignite. The interiors of the quonset huts were lined with plywood. Quonsets huts were especially susceptible — and the clustered huts with interconnecting halls made the place a fire-trap.

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51st FW
51st ABW Takes Over Osan AB The 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing was inactivated on 31 May 1971. It was redesignated the 51st Air Base Wing on 20 Oct 1971 and relocated from Naha Air Base, Okinawa, to Osan November 1, 1971 where it took over support responsibilities for Osan AB under the 314th Air Division.

It would be redesignated the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) on 30 Sep 1974 and later the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing on 1 Jul 1982. It would become the 51st Wing on 7 Feb 1992 and then the 51st Fighter Wing on 1 Oct 1993.

History: Absorbed resources of 301st Fighter Wing in Aug 1948 and assumed air defense of Ryukyu Islands using F?2 aircraft. Moved to Japan and commenced combat operations over Korea in Sep 1950. Moved to South Korea, in Oct 1950 and continued combat air patrols, close air support, and armed reconnaissance in support of UN forces. Returned to Japan in Dec 1950. Operated a detachment of wing elements at Suwon AB, Korea, beginning in May 1951, and transitioned into F?6 fighters later that year. Relocated at Suwon AB in Oct 1951, with maintenance and supply elements remaining in Japan until Aug 1954. Continued to perform patrol, escort, interdiction, and reconnaissance operations until 27 Jul 1953. Wing pilots claimed 312 victories against enemy MiG jet fighters, including the first USAF victory in the first all-jet aerial battle on 8 Nov 1950.

Following the cease-fire, remained at Suwon AB, Korea, until returning to Okinawa in Aug 1954 to reassume air defense of the Ryukyu Islands. From Aug 1954 through early 1971, frequently deployed aircraft, crews, and support personnel throughout the Far East, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Stationed one squadron (16th Fighter-Interceptor) at Tainan, Taiwan, 29 Aug 1958?6 Jan 1959 during the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis to fly combat air patrol for Nationalist Chinese Air Force supply flights. Transitioned into F?02 fighter-interceptor aircraft beginning in 1959.

Following the seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea, deployed one squadron (82d Fighter-Interceptor) and support personnel to Suwon AB, Korea, 30 Jan?0 Feb 1968, and sent other personnel to Osan AB, South Korea, to support the 314th Air Division. Deployed an interceptor detachment to Suwon AB, South Korea, from Jun 1968 through 1970.

The Wing inactivated at Naha AB, Okinawa on 31 May 1971, but was redesignated an air base wing and activated at Osan AB, South Korea, on 1 Nov 1971. Thereafter, served primarily as a support wing responsible for Osan AB and the Koon-Ni range complex, supported a variety of remote sites and, after 15 Apr 1975, operated Taegu AB, South Korea. During that period, the Wing뭩 inventory included C?7 (1971), C?23 (1971?973), CH? (1971?974), VT?9 (1971?974), and T?3 (1971?976) aircraft.

The 51st was redesignated a composite wing when it added a tactical mission on 30 Sep 1974; the Wing gained an F?E tactical fighter squadron and an OV?0 tactical air support squadron, but its support responsibilities continued under the direction of a combat support group. In Jan 1976, the Wing was further augmented by a tactical control squadron and in Apr 1976 by a direct air support squadron and a tactical air control center squadron. These additions, combined with the tactical air support squadron already assigned, comprised the Korean Tactical Air Control System (KTACS).

The 51st lost control of Taegu AB on 1 Oct 1978, but reassumed responsibility for that base when the Wing gained a second F?E squadron stationed there in Jan 1982. In the interim, direct responsibility for KTACS had passed to a newly assigned tactical air control group, along with control of the Wing뭩 tactical control elements.

On 1 Jun 1982, relinquished its tactical control mission when the Wing뭩 KTACS elements were reassigned to the 314th Air Division. In their place, received a squadron of A?0 aircraft (the 25th). Based at Suwon AB, South Korea, this unit뭩 close air support capability complemented the Wing뭩 existing air superiority role; the new mission mix resulted in redesignation as a tactical fighter wing on 1 Jul 1982. Frequently deployed aircraft and crews to participate in air superiority and close air support exercises throughout the Far East during this period. In addition, F?E aircrews trained to perform fast forward air control missions beginning in 1984. In 1988?989, replaced F?E and A?0 aircraft with F?6 fighters to support a shift in primary mission orientation from air superiority and close air support to offensive counterair and all-weather air interdiction.

Restored tactical air control capabilities in Oct 1990 with the assignment of an air control group, including a squadron of OA?0 aircraft and, in Sep 1991, became the first operational F?6 unit to employ laser targeting with the LANTIRN navigation and targeting system. Airlift support operations were augmented with the addition of a flight of C?2F light transports in Aug 1992. (Source: AFHRA: 51st FW Honors

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36th TFS and SIOP Nuclear Alert Commitment
Decisions for Closure and Transfer of units The decision to move the units from mainland Japan to Kadena for F-4C units was because the US “owned” Okinawa as a protectorate. The choice of Kunsan over Osan for the new 3rd TFW was based on the lessons learned from the 1968 Pueblo Incident. Osan — though more “hospitable” for living conditions — was a 15 minute flight from the DMZ and considered too close to be able to react swiftly in case of a surprise attack. Thus only Interceptor units were stationed at Osan and Suwon during the Pueblo Incident with the bulk of the F-4s, F-105s and F-100s fighter-bombers and other aircraft operating out of Kunsan and Taegu. Also memories of the Korean War where Seoul was overrun three times bore the fact that Osan wasn’t really defensible against any Chinese involvement.

(NOTE: (SPECULATION) All three affected squadrons (35th, 36th and 80th) had illustrious WWII and Korean War records. Though the 80th’s history dated only to WWII, the history of all three would probably NOT weigh in the decision process. Some say the Great Tohuku Earthquake of May 1968 played a part in deciding on the closure of Misawa in 1972. Reports were that the flightline rippled and water was shooting in the the air from cracks between the concrete slabs. However, we do not believe this was a major issue as Naval units remained in Misawa after the USAF left.)
Reasons for Misawa Closure and Yokota Downsize The two most significant reasons for the closures was probably the Nixon Doctrine of 1969 and the escalation in Vietnam. The Japanese and US relations were very tenuous at the time as the Nixon Doctrine of 1969 demanded that allied nations were expected to shoulder more of their own self-defense — coupled with the Japanese rise in economic prominence by using the US nuclear “umbrella” as a shield and shuttling the savings in defense into supporting its “kiretsu” (favored companies) system. The reductions of forces in Yokota and Misawa could be seen as pressure to get the Japanese to shoulder more of its defense costs in building up its Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

After the Nixon Doctrine of 1969 was announced, tensions between the US and Japan mounted. The political climate had made stationing war-fighting aircraft on mainland Japan intolerable. Okinawa — once a U.S. “possession” as a protectorate — became a part of Japan in May 1971 after an island referendum. The bottom line was that the US was reducing its troop levels in Japan and at the end of 1971 no fighter aircraft were left at either Misawa or Yokota. All of Misawa’s F-4D aircraft were sent to Kunsan. All of Yokota’s F-4C aircraft were sent to Kadena. At Yokota, the base was administered by the new 475th Air Base Wing (ABW) in November 1971, flying UH-1N Hueys and CT-39As to support HQ 5th Air Force.

At the same time, the US was escalating the war in Vietnam and needed more and more troops to prosecute the war. It had become common for fighter squadrons/wings to be nothing more than “paper” squadrons/wings as their fighters were drawn away for Vietnam. An example of this was when soon after the 35th TFS moved to Kunsan, it was deployed in a surprise notice on April 1972 to head to Vietnam and then Thailand.

As for the choice of Korea, the Park Chung-Hee dictatorship had been “bought off” with promises of financial aid, equipment upgrades for the ROK military in exchange for its Vietnam support with troops. The ROK took over the defense of the DMZ in 1971 and the 7th ID was removed from Korea. Expanding into Korea was to the ROK advantage. At the same time, the US was stuck with Korea as the staging area for its nuclear alerts. It had been operating nuclear alert commitments in Korea starting in 1958 at Kunsan and Osan because of the vehement objections of Japan to nuclear weapons on their soil. Though in violation of Article 12 of the Armistice agreement on the introduction of new weapons systems to Korea, the US simply took a position of neither confirm nor deny on any discussions of the topic. The movement of the 8th FBW nuclear alerts to Kadena in 1960 was countered with the introduction of the nuclear-capable Matador missiles from 1960-1962. The 347th restarted the nuclear alerts at Osan in 1968 first with F-100s, then F-105s and finally with F-4Cs.

Kunsan AB as the home for the 3rd TFW was chosen from the perspective of lessons learned from the Pueblo Crisis. Osan was only fifteen minutes from a surprise attack — and was the reason only an interceptor unit was stationed at Suwon with other aircraft deployed there constantly on alert. Kunsan received the bulk of the aircraft until Taegu was opened — and then Kwangju. The lesson was that aircraft should be stationed as far south as possible to preclude a surprise attack catching the aircraft on the ground. Also the lesson learned of how Seoul fell three times during the Korean War played a factor as well. In addition, there was an on-going nuclear alert commitment dating back to 1958 from Kunsan. Dependent on the world situation, the nuclear alert was pointed at China, Russia or North Korea.

During the summer and fall of 1971, President Richard Nixon administered a series of jolts – or Nixon Shokku, as the Japanese dubbed them – which challenged the strategic and economic relationship that prevailed between the United States and Japan since the Occupation. For over two decades, containment of Chinese and Vietnamese communism and the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty formed the strategic pillars of Japanese and American cooperation. Also, a strong dollar and “open” American market had served as engines driving Japan’s economic growth.

The 1971 shocks culminated a process begun when Lyndon Johnson capped escalation of the Vietnam War in 1968. It continued when Nixon, in July 1969, declared that henceforth Asian allies should not seek the help of American troops but must prepare to defend themselves against conventional threats. Nixon’s search for what he termed a new structure of peace revealed that Washington could no longer afford the old structure. Since the onset of the Cold War, American leaders viewed the Soviet Union and China as threats to the open trading system that formed the core of what they called the “Free World.” As Nixon took office in 1969, however, not only had the Soviets approached strategic parity with the United States, but economic policies pursued by Western Europe and Japan threatened American prosperity. By 1971, ballooning trade and balance of payments deficits eroded faith in the dollar and reduced Washington’s global influence.

Speaking in bold cadences but feeling vulnerable, Nixon and his advisers used a military lexicon to describe the economic assaults on American hegemony. For example, in the spring of 1971, Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans reportedly declared that “the Japanese are still fighting the war. Their immediate intention is to try to dominate the Pacific and then perhaps the world.” That August, as foreign pressure to redeem dollars for gold reached a climax, Secretary of the Treasury John Connally told Nixon that the government “can’t cover our liabilities – we’re broke; anyone can topple us.” For the first time since the Second World War American global economic interests collided with those of the European allies and Japan. Facing an economic crisis unprecedented since 1945, Nixon described his “New Economic Policy” as an effort to “stick it to the Japanese.”

In pursuing detente with the Soviet Union and an opening to China, the United States acknowledged it could no longer shoulder alone the costs of containment in both Europe and Asia. The Nixon Doctrine, the return of Okinawa to Japan, strategic arms control, the liquidation of the war in Vietnam, restricting imports, and cutting the dollar’s link to gold were all attempts to assure an orderly transition as the United States entered a period of relative decline and began to reduce its military presence in Asia. (Source: The Nixon `Shocks’ And U.S. – Japan Strategic Relations, 1969-74, Working Paper No. 2, Michael Schaller, The University of Arizona.)
Three Major Problems Though unstated in any history, there appears to have been three major problems with this transfer of the three squadrons to the 3rd TFW.
(1). Inadequate Lead Time for Planning The first problem was the small amount of lead-time. The decision to relocate probably came in late 1969 — with a lead time of one-year. For whatever reason, the decision to close the bases came as a relative surprise. The normal three-to-five year lead time for a closure of a minor base and ten-year lead time for a major base was bypassed. The notice came somewhere in mid-1969 (after Nixon announced his Nixon Doctrine) or early 1970 giving the planners only a year to sort out the closure/drawdown of two major Japanese bases and the start of a Korean base from scratch. Throw in the fact that they were dealing with two different weapons systems as the F-4C and F-4D are very different airplanes and one can see the nightmare these individuals faced. The logistics would have been horrendous involving coordination between the Ogden depots, Pentagon and 5th Air Force. The Congressional funding of the moves would indicate approval at the highest levels.

(SPECULATION) In our opinion, the main decision would have been in identifying and funneling the best personnel to set up a new base. One can imagine the panic as the personnel folks scanned the personnel and training records of squadrons to figure out which one had the most F-4D qualified personnel to fill the initial cadre to the base. As a new unit, they would have to figure out how to implement supply procedures for the F-4D — including clearing out the War Readiness Materiel (WRM) on base set up for F-100s; set up a base supply system to support an active wing; implement support functions for the F-4D; set up local flying procedures; and initiate training programs — plus a myriad of details dealing with moving onto a base that had no active wing preceding it. Then there was the problems dealing with expanding the base infrastructure to accommodate a full wing.

(SPECULATION) These decisions for base moves or changes to new weapons systems usually have a three-to-five year lead time as a minimum. This one appeared to have been a “snap decision” made because of changes in Japan politics shifting nuclear alerts out of Japan (Okinawa still belonged to the US at the time) as well as the earthquake damage at Misawa — coupled with the US political climate to reduce the size of the military at the same time the war in Vietnam’s need for increased manpower was at its high point. This move appeared to be a combination of international political events, internal US political wrangling and the realities of trying to reduce the military at bases to shift the manpower to Vietnam.

(SPECULATION) It appeared to be a “snap” decision — that had been building since the Johnson administration — that dumped the project into the laps of the 5th AF planners at Yokota AB, Japan. The decision on Kunsan AB had been made but the choice of squadrons was still up in the air.

At first, it was an easy move to shut down the 80th TFS Wild Weasels and set up the new 67th TFS (Wild Weasels) at Kadena. However, then the problems of how to fulfill TWO SIOP commitments — one for the former 347th TFW at Osan AND the 475th TFW at Kunsan.

This is when the swap out of the 36th with the 80th occurred — and the 80th TFS personnel were combined with the 35th TFS until the squadrons could separate again. These planners — who probably had very little “hands-on” experience with unique Korean problems impacted by infrastructure (lack of roads, communications, etc.) — were simply given a one-year window to implement it. Using the blue-print of the Pueblo Incident “occupation” of Kunsan AB, the planners set about their task. Since that time, arches were started by Red Horse and completed under ROK contractors.

The problems of a major move would involve Congressional approval of funds as the budget for FY 1971 was already approved. The funding for the moves was probably done partially by shuttling monies around within the budget. However, for moves of this size Congressional approval was required. It is probably safe to say that the Congress allocated additional funding for the DoD for this move prior to the US government announced on 10 Feb 1971 of the 54 aircraft from Misawa to form the 3rd TFW at Kunsan. It would be also safe to assume that much of the monies would be “disguised” as the nuclear commitment was still a “taboo” item for justifications.

(2). 36th TFS Odd-man-out: Too few F-4D aircraft and Kunsan arches for THREE squadrons The second problem dealt with amount of aircraft versus amount of squadrons versus the existing arch space at Kunsan. On 10 Feb 1971 the US government announced that 54 F-4D aircraft were being moved from the 475th TFW at Misawa to form the 3rd TFW. If you divide three squadrons into 54 you come up with 14 aircraft per squadron — not enough to fulfill any real world, training or alert function. Thus we assume that this decision of sending only TWO F-4D squadrons to Kunsan had been made long before Feb 1971.

Figuring that a squadron is usually 24 aircraft plus three training aircraft per squadron — the 54 aircraft from Misawa provided enough aircraft to fill TWO full squadrons. HOWEVER, THERE WERE THREE SQUADRONS INVOLVED IN THE MOVE — AND KUNSAN HAD ONLY ENOUGH ARCHES FOR TWO SQUADRONS. One squadron was going to have to be left as an F-4C unit. The odd-man-out happened to be the 36th TFS.

At the same time, the 347th of Yokota was supposedly transferring THREE squadrons of F-4Cs to Kadena, but only TWO squadrons were going to be formed (44th and 67th TFS). (The 80th TFS, 347th TFW had ALL the PACAF F-4C Wild Weasels.) Thus there was one squadron of F-4C aircraft left over. This would go to the 36th TFS at Taegu.

At first it appeared that the 35th and 36th would be assigned to the 3rd TFW as F-4D units, but then there was a reshuffle. In the end, the 35th and 80th TFS were to go to Kunsan as F-4D units and the 36th TFS was headed for Osan as an F-4C unit. However, in Jan 1971 the runway at Osan was closing because of BAK-12 barrier arresting equipment problems and associated problems dealing with ROK-US procedural communications problems that needed to be resolved.

The last unit of the Det 1, 347th TFW at Osan was told to put all their F-4C equipment onto flatbed trucks and relocate them to Taegu (K-2) without further explanation. This was at the end of 1970 and the decision as to who would be this unit still had not been made. Supposedly several 40-foot flatbed trucks were required to relocate this equipment to Taegu. From this information, we can see that Taegu would receive an F-4C unit. Kiyo Noriye of Det 1, 347th stated that the equipment was just left there in early 1971 and the move took 6-7 months. This means that it was completed somewhere in May-June 1971 — while the 3rd TFW took over Kunsan and transferred though the equipment was on their inventory, it belonged to Kadena. Try to remember that at this same time, the 5th AF planners were shuffling the 36th and 80th around trying to decide which would stay at Kunsan — and which would go to Osan. (SPECULATION) The 80th won out and its F-4C Wild Weasel equipment was sent to Kadena — but support equipment for an F-4C unit was retained for the 36th.

Kiyomi Noriye , SMSgt USAF (ret) of Nevada wrote, “The 347th T.F.W. from Yokota was being reshuffled back stateside but aircraft and personnel being re-assigned to Kadena A.B. Osan’s runway was closing down at this time so I was sent to Kunsan with several other personnel to help set up a alert pad with our maintenance personnel coming in from Kadena.” Kiyo added later, “After a tour in Vietnam I was back at Yokota with F-4c’s. I was the night line Chief at our detachment at Osan when all our aircrafts left Japan for Okinawa and to Kunsan. This was 1971.” This detachment was the Det 1 347th TFW from Yokota.

He continued, “Our detachment was ordered to move all our maintenance gear — lock stock and barrel — on several 40 ft. flatbed truck and trailers and all our 6-pak alert vehicles, 12 in all, to maintain alert duties while Kunsan was getting operationally ready. This was early 1971 and around 6-7 month later we were finished and moved all the equipment to Taegu except the pickups needed for alert. At Osan I was T.D.Y. on D diamond with F-100s, C diamond with F-105s and B diamond with F-4C s and A diamond too.” (NOTE: We are assuming that the initial move to Taegu was dictated by the problems with the BAK-12 runway arresting systems at Osan under the 51st ABW as well as problems with ROK-US communications procedures dealing with air traffic.)

Map of Osan AB Flightline (NOTE: The Diamond A-D where the nuclear alerts were pulled (“A” Matadors/”B” F-4Cs/”C” F-105s/”D” F-100s).)

Kiyomi Noriye explained the move to Taegu later. He wrote, “In 1971 at the end of our Commitment for alert duties at Kunsan A.B. was completed, Our detachment was directed to move all maintenance equipment … assigned to Det. 1 (and were directed) to proceed to Taegu A.B. for the Aircrafts that were coming into Taegu from Kadena on T.D.Y. If you are acquainted with F-4 aircrafts you know there is a difference between a C and a D model. At Yokota we had F-4Cs in our inventory while the F-4Ds were with the 475th.” (NOTE: Bruce Charles of the Det 1 475th TFW stated that F-4Ds were introduced to Misawa in the second quarter of 1970.)

Kiyo went on, “The Yokota aircrafts were all moved to Kadena and so you can understands why the move for the ground support equipment to Taegu. All ground support equipment was still part of our inventory, now belonging to Kadena. Taegu as far as I know, was just a T.D.Y. base for accomplishing readiness, fulfilling flying commitments and pilot efficiency. We left Our support equipment there for them and returned to Kunsan for our reassignment back to Japan/Okinawa. When or where or how the reorganizations came about I do not know. However I assume you are correct about the runway being repaired and the barrier problems, otherwise we would have been able to fulfill our alert from Osan.” (NOTE: The BAK-12 arresting equipment on the Osan runways were having difficulties and there was problems sorting out the air communications coordination. This was the reason the 36th TFS remained with the 347th instead of immediately being transferred to Osan with the 51st ABW.)
(3). Continuation of SIOP Nuclear Alert Commitments The third problem dealt with the continuation of the nuclear alerts still mandated by the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) tasking — while this transition took place. The following is excerpted from 80th Headhunter Site of its sister squadron in the 8th TFW, 347th TFW, etc.: “Throughout the 1968 – 1971 time frame the primary mission of the 80th was to deploy on a rotating basis with the 35th and 36th TFS to Osan AB, Korea, providing a nuclear strike alert posture against targets in North Korea, China and the Soviet Union. The squadron maintained several aircraft on fifteen-minute nuclear alert full time, and engaged in a vigorous conventional weapons training program. On several occasions the squadron reacted to provocations by the North Koreans by putting crews and aircraft on heightened states of air defense and conventional weapons alert.”

Det 1, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing (15 Jan 1968-Jan 1971)
Osan AB, Korea
Motto: Born in Battle

“Black Panthers”
35th FS

“Flying Fiends”
36th FS

“Headhunters”
80th FS

The Det 1, 347th TFW operations (35th, 36th and 80th TFS) had been pulling nuclear alerts in the Diamond area (A, B, C and D) at Osan AB since 1968 (F-105 (1968) and F-4 (1968-1971)) on one-month rotations. The 36th FS history shows rotations to Osan AB up to Dec 1970. Thus we know that the Det 1, 347th TFW was still in operation up to Dec 1970. (Source: 347th Wing and AFHRA: 36th FS.)

After that the F-4C equipment from Det 1, 347th TFW was shipped to Taegu in Jan 1971 according to Kiyo Norime, SMSgt, USAF (Ret). Remember that Taegu operated as a nuclear alert facility during the Pueblo Incident period for the Det 1, 475th TFW (67th TFS, 356th TFS and 391st TFS) from Oct 1968-Apr 1970. After the F-100s left Kunsan, the nuclear alert returned to Kunsan from Apr 1970-Feb 1971. (Source: AFHRA: 67th FSand AFHRA: 391st FS .)

Some of the personnel from the Det 1, 347th were told to go to Kunsan to help start up an alert facility there according to Kiyo Norime, SMSgt, USAF (Ret). This we don’t fully understand as Det 1, 475th had returned to Kunsan from Taegu in Apr 1970 — but perhaps the incoming 35th, 36th and 80th personnel of the 374th needed assistance in setting things up. The pilots of the Det 1, 475th were billeted near the contingency pad (C-pad) in the “Greenhouse” that contained the Operations Center for the Det as well. Unlike SAC alerts that had a comfortable alert facility to relax in, at Kunsan there were no-frills for the pilots on alert. The enlisted alert maintenance personnel were housed on main base along Avenue B — then a straight drive to the C-pad. The aircraft were operating out of the Christmas Tree area at the end of the runway.

Det 1, 475th Tactical Fighter Wing
Taegu AB: Jul 1968-Apr 1970
Kunsan AB: Apr 1970-Feb 1971

“Fighting Cocks”
67th TFS
Kunsan: 8 Apr 1970-15 Feb 1971

“Green Devils”
356th TFS
Kunsan: Unk-15 Feb 1971

“Bold Tigers”
391st FS
Kunsan: 26 Apr 1970-15 Feb 1971

During the transition, the Det 1, 475th continued to pull the nuclear alert commitment up until 15 Feb 1971. The 391st TFS was last at Kunsan on 13?9 Dec 1970 and 1?5 Feb 1971. Though no records are available for the 356th TFS we can assume that it was present at Kunsan from 20 Dec 1970-10 Jan 1971. The 67th FS was last at the Det 1, 475th at Kunsan on 10?2 Jan 1971 and 5?5 Feb 1971. The reason both the 67th and 391st TFS were present at Kunsan on 1-15 Feb 1971 was to transfer their F-4D aircraft to the 35th and 80th FS. On 15 Mar 1971, the 67th TFS was assigned to the 18th TFW to form a Wild Weasel squadron. The 391st TFS was reassigned to the 347th TFW to transition to the F-111 on 1 July 1971. The 356th TFS followed the 354th TFW to Myrtle Beach, FL on 15 May 1971 and transitioned to the A-10A. (Source: AFHRA: 67th FS; AFHRA: 391st FS; and AFHRA: 354th FW.)

At Kunsan, the PACAF SIOP Quick Reaction Alert commitment prior to October 1974 consisted of four F-4D aircraft sitting on alert fully-loaded with nuclear weapons. (Note: This information was released through the Freedom of Information Act in 1999 in various bits and pieces through the Nautilus Organization.) The 80th TFS, 347th TFW was attached to the Det 1, 475th TFW from 15 Feb 1971-15 Mar 1971 to assume the nuclear alert commitment. Remember that the 80th and 35th aircrews were pooled together during this period. (Source: 80th Headhunter Site.)

Bruce Charles wrote, “From (about) January, 1968 to May, 1970, when I left, the 475th Wing from Misawa AFB, Japan pulled nuke alert at Kunsan. South end of runway … Alert “Christmas Tree… big fences, no beer, lots of unhappy fellows with guns, etc.” I think this started (or restarted) as a result of the USS Pueblo … or that is what we were told was the reason we were diverted from other sunny SEA duty.” He continued, “F4Cs to about the second quarter of 1970 when F4Ds were introduced to Misawa. … About 8 – 10 birds on alert, each with a single weapon. (I understand that they went to two weapons sometime after I left.)” From these statements you learn that the eight jets were sitting in the eight alert bunkers located in what is now known as the “Tree area” with TWO nuclear weapons each. These bunkers were later turned over to the ROKAF after the SIOP nuclear commitment moved to the 18th TFW in Kadena.

Det 1, 475th Tactical Fighter Wing (15 Feb-15 Mar 1971)

80th TFS (15 Feb 1971-15 Mar 1971)
On 15 Mar 71, the 3rd TFW arrived in March to assume control of the base. Between 15 Feb-15 Mar 1971, the 80th was attached to Det 1, 475th TFW assuming the nuclear alert commitment at Kunsan. (Source: AFHRA: 80th FS.) This relieved the old units of the nuclear commitment and the new 3rd TFW squadrons accepted the alert commitment.

(SPECULATION) Initially the 36th was forced to be split between Yokota and supporting the FOL at Kunsan (as the 35th and 80th personnel had been combined). However, after the 80th was attached to the Det 1, 475th TFW to take over the nuclear commitment formerly assigned to the 475th TFW of Yokota in Feb 1971, the 36th TFS relocated to Taegu and assumed the nuclear alert commitment formerly assigned to the 347th TFW of Misawa. Instead of converting to the F-4D, it remained an F-4C unit and took over the assets the Det 1, 347th TFW had transferred there from Osan because Osan was closed for repairs.

Though the 35th and 80th TFS were assigned to the 3rd TFW on 15 Mar 1971, the 36th TFS was not assigned until May 1971. (Source: AFHRA: 3rd Wing and AFHRA: 36th FS.)

(SPECULATION) We can only guess why it was not until May 1971 that the 36th TFS was assigned to the 3rd TFW. As we had previously stated, the 36th TFS was NOT at Kunsan in Mar 1971, but up at Taegu assuming the nuclear alert commitment vacated by the Det 1, 347th TFW of Osan. We can only assume that there were high-level discussions dealing with the 36th TFS coming under the 51st ABW in its a role as a support wing responsible for Osan AB and the Koon-Ni range complex. However, the 36th TFS’ nuclear alert commitment was a “volatile” issue and a hot potato especially with the Nixon administration was attempting to court China into opening its doors to the world. If the 36th TFS were placed under the 51st ABW or 314th Air Division as a singleton F-4 unit, it would immediately draw attention to its tasking as SIOP nuclear alerts and then the questions of its targets being China, Russia and North Korea. It was probably decided to allow it to remain under the 3rd TFW where it could be “hidden” — and as the 3rd had a recognized nuclear alert tasking, it would not be as embarassing if the issue were raised.

36th FS
Chronology: 36th TFS Moves to Osan In 1970, the US announced that it was reducing its 39,000 force in Japan by 12,000 and withdrawing 5,000 from the 50,000 in Okinawa. As part of the cutback, the 475th will be moved to Kunsan AB by 30 Jun 1971 and redesignated the 3rd TFW. In addition, the EC-121 Warning Star operating at Itazuke would be moved to Kwangju AB.

This transition period is very confusing because so much was occurring in a short period of time. In addition, the US policy of classifying information on nuclear weapons makes the 1971-1974 period for the 36th TFS very hazy. The move of the 36th FS to Osan in 1971 is VERY HAZY and is entangled with units going one way while their personnel and aircraft were heading in another direction. The shift involves two wings closing operations: one for downsizing (347th TFW at Yokota) and the second for transition to a new weapons system (354th TFW at Misawa) coupled with aircraft, support equipment and personnel going to different locations.

(SPECULATION) AN IMPORTANT POINT TO REMEMBER IN THIS CONFUSING STORY IS THE YOKOTA F-4Cs AND PERSONNEL WILL END UP AT KADENA WHILE THE MISAWA F-4Ds AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT GO TO KUNSAN. INITIALLY THE 36th WAS SLATED TO GO TO KUNSAN, BUT THEN IT WAS SHIFTED TO OSAN. THIS LEAVES THE 35TH AND 80TH AT KUNSAN WITH F-4Ds IN MAR 1971. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OSAN’S RUNWAY IS OUT, THE 36th MOVES TEMPORARILY TO TAEGU UNTIL NOV 1971 — AND FINALLY MOVES TO OSAN PULLING NUCLEAR ALERTS IN THE DIAMOND AREA WITH F-4Cs. IT WOULD TRANSITION TO F-4Ds IN 1972.

The following is excerpted from the 80th Headhunter Site. It shows how things became very complex. The 80th handled the PACAF F-4C Wild Weasels while pulling the nuclear alerts at Osan. However, when the conversion was to take place, the Wild Weasels would go to the 18th TFW at Kadena under the 67th TFS — which at that time was part of Det 1, 475th TFW at Kunsan handling nuclear alerts which were to be handed off to the arriving 3rd TFW. The nuclear alerts complicated everything.

“Throughout the 1968 – 1971 time frame the primary mission of the 80th was to deploy on a rotating basis with the 35th and 36th TFS to Osan AB, Korea, providing a nuclear strike alert posture against targets in North Korea, China and the Soviet Union. The squadron maintained several aircraft on fifteen-minute nuclear alert full time, and engaged in a vigorous conventional weapons training program. On several occasions the squadron reacted to provocations by the North Koreans by putting crews and aircraft on heightened states of air defense and conventional weapons alert.

In 1970 all PACAF F-4C Wild Weasel aircrews were transferred to the 80th. At this time the squadron was composed almost exclusively of Wild Weasel aircrews. These crews trained in Wild Weasel tactics while maintaining all weapons qualifications and pulling nuclear alert as a primary commitment.

On 15 February 1971, shortly after its twenty-ninth anniversary, the squadron was deactivated in a general reduction and realignment of US military forces in Japan, Korea and Okinawa. Shortly after this order was issued it was announced that the squadron designation would be reactivated in Korea without equipment and personnel. At the time of deactivation the 80th personnel, including all the Wild Weasel crews, were transferred to the 35 TFS and later in the spring these crews and all the F-4C aircraft deployed to Kadena AB, Okinawa to form the 67 TFS under the 18th TFW.

A year or so later, the F-4C Wild Weasels, trained by and formerly in the 80th TFS, performed with distinction in combat during Linebacker II.
The 347th TFW of Yokota was shutting down and heading to Mountain Home to transition to the F-111B, while its F-4C aircraft and personnel were heading to Kadena to become the 67th TFS and 44th TFS of the 18th TFW on 15 Mar 1971. (NOTE: The 67th TFS was an F-4D outfit (converted in mid-1970) assigned to Det 1, 475th TFW at Kunsan AB. This nuclear mission was to be handed over to the 35th and 80th when they were assigned to the 3rd TFW.)

According to Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947-1977 , 1984, (p265), the 475th Tactical Fighter Wing “phased down at Misawa in early 1971 and inactivated on 15 Mar, all resources moving to Kunsan AB, South Korea, for the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing.”

In essence, the bulk of the equipment was from the 475th, while personnel and the flying squadrons “name designations” from the 347th. The 35th, 36th, and 80th flew F-4Cs with the 347th TFW, but the 475th TFW flew F-4Ds. The support equipment of the two aircraft were different. Thus all resources were from the 475th TFW and passed to the 3rd TFW upon its arrival in May 1971.

On 14 Jun 1970, the 354th TFW passed its F-4D resources to the 54th TFW — an interim wing for handing off the aircraft and support equipment to the 3rd TFW. This allowed the Det 1, 475th TFW to convert to F-4Ds in the mid-1970s as these aircraft would eventually become the 3rd TFW assets.

On 10 Feb 1971, the US government announced that as part of its downsizing in Japan, 54 F-4Ds from Misawa would be transferred to Kunsan AB to form the 3rd TFW. Unfortunately, 54 aircraft amounts to TWO squadrons — and there were three squadrons involved.
While the 35th, 80th and 36th TFS transitioned to Kunsan AB, the Det 1, 475th TFW (67th TFS, 556th TFS and 391st TFS) continued to stand the nuclear alert with its F-4Ds until Feb 1971.

The Det 1, 475th TFW at Kunsan continued handling its nuclear alert up to 1 Feb 1971. Then the 35th and 80th TFS were deactivated at Yokota on 15 Feb 1971 and the combined 35th and 80th TFS personnel — without aircraft — were transferred to Kunsan Air Base. At that time, the 80th TFS was temporarily assigned to the 475th TFW from 1 Feb-1 Mar 1971 — which allowed the unit to accept the F-4Ds left by the 391st TFS and 67th TFS. (The 391st TFW would go to Mountain Home, ID with the 347th TFW; and the 67th TFS would go to Kadena to take up the Wild Weasel role under the 18th TFW.)

3rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Mar 1971-Nov 1974)

“Black Panthers”
35th TFS

“Flying Fiends”
36th TFS

“Headhunters”
80th TFS

When the 3rd TFW arrived in Mar 1971, the 35th and 80th were assigned — along with their F-4D aircraft. The 35th and 80th TFS under the 3rd TFW officially picked up the nuclear alert commitment previously covered by the Det 1, 475th TFW.

This left the 36th as the only remaining squadron of the soon-to-be defunct 347th TFW — which was headed for Mountain Home, ID to transition to F-111s.

(SPECULATION) The 36th TFS, however, was odd-man-out as the 54 F-4D aircraft from Misawa were only enough for two squadons. Also Kunsan has only enough arches to protect two squadrons of aircraft. The 36th remained as the only remaining squadron of the 347th TFW and continued to fly the F-4Cs.

The 36th at first assisted in the transition of the 35th and 80th personnel to Kunsan. However, the Det 1, 347th TFW of Osan AB closed its operations in Jan 1971 and moved all their F-4C support equipment to Taegu on flatbed trucks. This was because the runway at Osan was closing for repairs. The 36th TFS departed Kunsan in Jan 1971 and went to Taegu to set up operations there as a Forward Operating Location (FOL).

At that time, all the 347th TFW’s F-4C aircraft — with the exception of the 36th TFS — had been sent to Kadena. The F-4C aircraft and support equipment were transferred to the 54th TFW — an interim wing to handle the equipment transfers. However, because the 36th TFS was now operating out of Taegu, all the former Det 1, 347th TFW support equipment was transferred to the 36th TFS. (The remainder of the aircraft and support equipment would be used to form the 67th TFS and 44th TFS under the 18th TFW.) At that time, the 36th TFS picked up the nuclear alert commitment previously assigned to the Det 1, 347th TFW.

In May 1971 when the 347th TFW moved from Yokota AB to Mountain Home AB, the 36th TFS was left without a home. The 51st ABW would not be assigned until Nov 1971 and moving it under the 314th AD was not an option. Because of the potential embarrassment of having an F-4C unit whose sole mission was nuclear alerts at Osan AB, the decision was made to leave the 36th TFS under the 3rd TFW where it could be “masked.” It was officially transferred to the 3rd TFW in May 1971.

By July 1971, the BAK-12 arresting gear system had been repaired and the ROK-US communications procedures were resolved. The 36th TFS started to make preparation to return to Osan AB. When the 51st ABW took over in Nov 1971, the 36th TFS was situated at Osan AB.

36th TFS “Disappears” It appears that the 80th was temporarily assigned to the 475th TFW in order to assist in the FOL commitment at Osan AB (Det 1 475th TFW). The 35th and 80th had pooled their manpower and the 80th pulled the nuclear alert at Kunsan between Feb-Mar 1971. In the end, the 35th and 80th were assigned to the 3rd TFW at Kunsan, but where the 36th TFS was located gets fuzzy. Officially, the 36th TFS is at Kunsan AB on 15 May 1971 — and remains at Kunsan until it is stationed at Osan AB on 13 Nov 1971. We know this is not true as the 36th TFS is not mentioned at Kunsan after Mar 1971. The 36th TFS “disappeared.” (Source: AFHRA: 36th FS.)

So what happened to the 36th TFS between Feb 1971 and Nov 1971?

The OFFICIAL story is that the 36th TFS was assigned to the 3rd TFW of Kunsan on 15 May 1971 to 16 Sep 1974. The AFHRA: 3rd Wing states: “36 Tactical Fighter: 15 May 1971-16 Sep 1974.” The same information from Nautilus Organization shows the THREE squadrons are absorbed into the 3rd TFW at Kunsan. Even the authoritative Baugher site has the 36th TFS with the 3rd TFW from 1971-1974. OFFICIALLY, everyone agreed the 36th belonged to the 3rd TFW. But WHERE it was located between Feb 1971-Nov 1971 is ambiguous.

(NOTE: Strangely the 51st FW AFHRA history shows both the 36th FS ending on 1 Oct 1990 and 25th FS ending on 31 Jun 1990. We have no explanation for this. Then we have the 36th FS AFHRA history that states: “51st Composite Wing (Tactical) (later, 51st Tactical Fighter Wing) 30 Sep 1974; 51st Fighter (later, 51st Operations) Group, 1 Oct 1990?” This means its association with the 51st FW started from 30 Sep 1974. The 25th FS AFHRA history states: “51st Composite Wing (Tactical) (later, 51st Tactical Fighter Wing), 1 Feb 1981?1 Jul 1990. 51st Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993?” This jibes with what is known. In all, the OFFICIAL histories are inconsistent.)
(SPECULATION) We know that the 347th aircraft had departed for Kadena in early 1971, but the support equipment from the Det 1, 347th TFW had been sent to Taegu. We know the F-4C support gear from the then-defunct Det 1 347th TFW was sitting at Taegu awaiting the 36th TFS. We know that the 36th was NOT at Kunsan in Mar 1971 when the 35th and 80th TFS became part of the 3rd TFW. We also know that the BAK-12 Arresting Gear on the Osan runway was not functioning properly making operations there unsafe in the early part of 1971, so the 36th TFS was NOT at Osan. It could only have been at Taegu where the support equipment had been pre-positioned.

(SPECULATION) We speculate that the 36th TFS flying F-4C aircraft returned to Taegu and the personnel of the 36th TFS again took up their former nuclear alert commitment of the 347th TFW. From Feb 1971, the 36th had moved to Taegu and took control of the F-4C support equipment that had been left there.

The next we hear of it is that it is preparing to move to Osan in July (from an unspecified location). Though the 36th history does not specify the location, we know that it was still at Taegu at this time. We are assuming that the problems with the BAK-12 and the procedural problems with the ROK-US communications had been resolved in July 1971 for the 36th TFS to be planning to relocate to Osan.

As the last remaining squadron of the 347th TFW after the 35th and 80th transferred to the 3rd TFW in Mar 1971, it was left without a home in July 1971 when the 347th TFW departed from Yokota for Mountain Home. The AFHRA: 347th Wing shows the 347th TFW was at Mountain Home, ID — so there was no longer any Det 1, 347th TFW at Osan.

(SPECULATION) Because of the touchy nature of a nuclear alert, the 51st ABW did not want to draw attention to the unit. From another view, the 51st ABW actually was only comprised of cargo-type aircraft and T-33 trainers for pilot proficiency. AFHRA: 51st FW states, “Thereafter, served primarily as a support wing responsible for Osan AB and the Koon-Ni range complex, supported a variety of remote sites and, after 15 Apr 1975, operated Taegu AB, South Korea. During that period, the Wing’s inventory included C?7 (1971), C?23 (1971?973), CH? (1971?974), VT?9 (1971?974), and T?3 (1971?976) aircraft.” A singleton F-4C squadron did NOT match — it would stick out like a sore thumb and possibly attract the attention of the international press. The nuclear alert was something everyone knew about, but didn’t talk about. It was a internationally volatile subject.

To be realistic, the 314th AD was stationed at Osan AB and had the 3rd TFW directly under its chain of command from 15 Mar 1971-16 Sep 1974. The 314th AD could easily have put the 36th under its control — the same as it did with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS) from 15 Jan 1972-30 Sep 1974. However, again as a detached squadron of F-4s with a nuclear commitment as its sole mission, the 36th TFS was a potential “hot potato” that was best hidden. As such it was left under the 3rd TFW, but at the same time it was never identified as a “detachment” at Osan for fear of drawing attention to its role as a nuclear alert aimed at China, Russia and North Korea. It was a “hot potato” that remained under wraps. Even after the 36th was well settled into the “Wonder Arches” (Hardened Aircraft Shelters) of Osan, there continued to be F-4Cs from Osan that were “bedded down” at Taegu.
On 1 Nov 1971 the 51st Air Base Wing (ABW) took over Osan AB. Then the next we hear, the 36th is in the arches at Osan AB in 13 Nov 1971 with their F-4C aircraft PHYSICALLY assigned to Osan. (Source: AFHRA: 36th FS says it was stationed at “Kunsan AB, South Korea, 15 May 1971; Osan AB, South Korea, 13 Nov 1971?/u>.” and 36th Fiends history.)

This confusing period is described in the “Flying Fiends” website, the history of the 36th TFS (written in 1980 by Capt Scott Miller, 36 TFS and TSgt John Sullivan, Wing Historian) gives some insights into this strange reshuffling. It states,

“…the F-4Cs arrived during December 1967, and personnel and equipment resources began increasing throughout 1968. The 36th continued to support tactical air operations and air sector defense in Japan and Korea for the next three years. In 1971, due to increased commitments, a reduction in the number of aircraft, and a move to a Forward Operating Location (FOL) at Kunsan AB, Korea (on a rotating basis) the squadron faced a period of extreme hardship. Individuals were confronted with turbulence in their work environment and made large individual sacrifices for the sake of the mission. In February 1971, with the transfer of the 35th TFS to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, the 36th became the only remaining fighter squadron in the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadron was divided into two sections; A and B. In March 1971, Section A moved to Kunsan AB, to assume alert duties. Section B moved to an FOL at Osan AB. As the year progressed, each month the squadron’s two sections would switch assignments, with an occasional return to Yokota AB. By mid-May 1971, the 36th was officially reassigned from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB as a part of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing.”

“In July preparations began for moving the 36th to Osan AB. The greatest problems were the installment of runway barriers and briefing Osan AB personnel on coordination of high performance aircraft with normal air traffic in that sector. However, those problems were overcome and the 36th moved to Osan AB on 13 November 1971. In late November 1971, the F-4Cs were housed in hardened arches/shelters, called Wonder Arches by maintenance personnel. The primary mission of the 36th was to maintain a combat ready posture, assume alert requirements and continue aircrew training.” (SITE NOTE: We interpret “alert requirements” to mean the SIOP nuclear alert commitment at Osan from the now-defunct 347th TFW.)
Thus the 36th has been at Osan AB from 13 Nov 1971 on. The nuclear commitment continued in the Diamond area until 1974 with the 36th TFS as a “detachment” of the 3rd TFW. The 36th TFS would convert to F-4Ds in 1972. (Source: “Flying Fiends”.)

(SPECULATION) In its role as a Detachment of the 3rd TFW operating at Osan, we speculate that the 36th TFS now was picking up the entire SIOP mission previously fulfilled by three squadrons of jets from the 347th TFW as its ONLY mission. If you have the same SIOP mission as Kunsan, you would have 4 “hot-cocked” loaded aircraft with 2 spares. With 24 aircraft broken down into two flights, one could alternate the aircraft on alert with crews maintaining proficiency training when not on alert. Unlike Kunsan which was a remote assignment, Osan was an “accompanied tour” area and the Osan alerts could have been handled much like SAC bombers on nuclear alert. Families could visit the crews and alert personnel at the alert pad in the “family center” outside the alert pad. You would be locked in to the sole nuclear alert mission and not have to worry about the potential of being rotated to Vietnam — as the 35th TFS found out with a surprise “April Fool” day wakeup call to deploy to Vietnam. (Units from the 18th TFW had to backfill to cover the nuclear alerts.) This type of assignment would be quite pleasant.

If the nuclear alerts were performed out of Taegu as the Det 1, 475th TFW had done from 1968-1970, it still would not be a hardship as Taegu was the home of a major ROKAF F-4 wing with a major USFK base, Camp Walker, nearby. Taegu is a major city with all the amenities of home — much better than Osan as to enjoy the nightlife one had to travel to Seoul. In Taegu, it was right outside the gate. Unlike Kunsan, most people who have been stationed PCS at Taegu in the 1970s have stated that it was the best assignment they ever had — enjoyable work conditions with little interference from the “overhead” and the feeling of performing a “real” mission.
36th TFS becomes part of 51st Composite Wing (1974) In 1974 when the 8th TFW arrived at Kunsan in Sep 1974, the Single Integrated Operations Plan (SIOP) shifted the nuclear alerts to Kadena AB, Okinawa under the 18th TFW in October 1974. Freed of the nuclear alert commitment, the 36th TFS was able to be assigned to the new 51st Composite Wing in Sep 1974. First, the 36th TFS was administratively assigned to the 8th TFW on 16 Sep 1974 and then in a miracle of transfers — it was assigned to the 51st TFW on 30 Sep 1974 — three years after it arrived at Osan. (Source: AFHRA: 51st FW.)

The 36th TFS converted from the F-4D to the F-4E on 1 Jun 1974 prior to it becoming a part of the 51st Composite Wing. (Source: Baugher Site: F-16. NOTE: Interestingly shows it assigned to 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing.)

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Assault in Songtan According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 3 Mar 1971, an American Charles James (?) assaulted three women because they “teased” him. Supposedly James attacked Pak Young-ja (21) and Cha Hang-jung with a knife. Outcome of this incident unknown. However, unless it was a serious crime case involving murder/rape, the ROK police usually waived jurisdiction after a preliminary investigation. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, “Pyeongtaek Si Sa.”)
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Racial Tension Violence at Camp Humphreys Racial tension between blacks and whites became a problem — as it was throughout America and the military worldwide. On Martin Luther King’s birthday, 300 soldiers marched peacefully in Camp Stanley — but the point was that the blacks felt that they were being denied promotion and equal treatment. Racial incidents increased. In June a riot in Itaewon left 13 injured and area was placed off-limits.

Camp Humphreys had a race riot in April. On 13 Apr 1971 after three days of racial incidents in Anjong-ni village outside of Camp Humphreys end as the village was temporarily put off limits. Several US soldiers were arrested on charges of arson and larceny. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p148, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

Offbase, Korea had a history of problems between minority soldiers and Koreans in the past. The tensions between black and white servicemen increased, spread through various camp areas in Korea, and exploded on the weekend of July 9, 1971, in the village of Anjongni. The village of Anjong-ni outside Camp Humphreys was placed off-limits after the riot between Americans and ROK citizens. Ironically, 400 bar hostess protested the off-limits as they could not make a living. Anjong-ni was placed back on limits in August. (Source: 8th Army Chronology)
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USFK Events On 3 Jan, Richard Nixon told the DoD to “postpone indefinitely” the reduction of forces beyond the 20,000 men reduction by 30 June 1971. The DoD stated no such plans need to be delayed. President Park Chung-hee announced at the same time in Jan his intention to reduce the ROK commitment in Vietnam of the 50,000 men there — though not immediately. Park called for a “self-reliant defense” based upon lessons from the past. US-ROK issue joint agreement for the modernization of the ROK military and arrangements for the reduction of US forces in Korea. In July $150 million in surplus equipment given to ROK. In fact in 1971, the ROK received assurances that equipment transferred to the troops in Vietnam would remain with the units. This was all part of the scheme that became known as the Nixon Doctrine whereby countries would be responsible for their own defense.

On 10 Feb, the US announced 54 F-4D Phantoms from the 475th TFW of Misawa, Japan would relocate to the ROK and be redesignated as the 3rd TFW at Kunsan. On 30 Jul 1970, the USFK admits that the F-105s from the 18th TFW, 313th TFS in Okinawa are flying operational missions in the ROK.

In May 1971, Okinawa returned to Japan though 88 military installations retained. The Okinawan people held a referendum whether to remain under the US or to join Japan.

In 1971 the USFK manpower spaces total 22,300 (35,000 Army, 9,000 Air Force, and 300 Navy and Marines). On 7 Jun 1971 in testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommmittee the Secretary of Defense said, “the current reduction of US forces in Korea will save up to $450 million in the next five years, offsetting texpenses for the modernization of Korean armed forces.” (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p149, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

On 29 Aug 1971 the dedication ceremonies were held for the new Military Airlift Command (MAC) passenger terminal at Osan — the US Military Gateway to Korea. The terminal was operated by the 611th Military Airlift Spt Sqdn which relocated from the former passenger terminal at Kimpo AB. The squadron moved more than 200,000 passengers and 20,000 tons of cargo annually.

ROK Events On 4 Jun 1971 in consonance with a five-year program to modernize ROK Armed Forces, the US turns over an unspecified number of arms and equipment, including M107 174mm guns, M110 8″ howitzers, Honest John missiles, M48A2C tanks, armored personnel carriers, and modern communications equipment. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p149, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

On 10 Nov 1971, according to a ROK government announcement, agreement was reached to complete the Military Assistance Program (MAP) transfer by the end of 1972. The ROK was to assume more some $50 million in annual costs for defense munitions from its own budget. The MAP transfer was suspended in 1966 by the Brown Memorandum which spelled out terms for disptch of ROK troops to the RVN. It resumed last year in conjunction with the modernization of ROK armed forces and the US troop cutback. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p157, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

In Nov 1971, the US and ROK agreed in principle that all equipment supplied to the ROKF-V by the US would be retained by them upon their return ot Korea. Ownership of US equipment being used by the ROK Marine Blue Dragon unit had already been transferred. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p157, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

ROK took over the 18 1/2 mile section of DMZ that US forces had defended since 1953 in the western sector. The only section that the US forces remained in control of was the Joint Security Area (JSA) near Panmunjon. 2d ID withdrew from DMZ in June to Camp Casey that was vacated by the 7th Infantry Division which departed in Feb 1971. 2d DIV Arty units relocated to Camp Stanley and Essayons which had been used by I Corps (Gp). On 1 Apr 1971, the 7th Inf Div was withdrawn. Simultaneously the 2d Inf Div was relieved on line by the 1st ROKA Div and moved into reserve position north of Seoul. This leaves the US with no ground troops deployed along the DMZ, except for a small element guarding the Panmunjom truce area. The 2d Div thus became the last remaining US division on mainland Asia. It had a strength authorization of over 16,000, including 2,000 Katusa’s. The withdrawal of the 7th Div, part of a general policy forUS troop reduction in Asia introduced in the Nixon Doctrine involves a drawdown of 20,000 American troops, mostly from the departing 7th Div, and necessitates numerous base closures and unit reorganizations and consolidations. The withdrawals are accompanied by increased US military aid ofr the improvement of ROK forces. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, pp 147-148, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

Violent clashes with students protesting the military training law (ROTC) for students. In Feb riots with 5,000 students occurred in Seoul. After repeated clashes with students, the riot police entered the campuses and arrested over 2,000 students, but only held the leaders who were accused of attempting to overthrow the government. The major riots centered around Seoul National University. Later the government stated it would extend the military training programs to high schools.

Until 1971 South Korea operated under the political framework it adopted in 1963. Even though Park imposed some restrictions on members of the press, intellectuals, and opposition politicians, these groups were permitted considerable latitude to criticize the government and to engage in organizational activities. Although there were numerous student demonstrations, particularly in 1965 when the government normalized its relations with Japan and sent 45,000 combat troops to support the Republic of Vietnam in response to a request from the United States, the students were controlled and there were no casualties in confrontations with the police. The presidential and National Assembly elections in 1967 and 1971 were closely contested but won by Park. In order to succeed himself for the third time in 1971, Park amended the constitution in 1969.

Though both Korean governments have repeatedly affirmed their desire for reunification of the Korean Peninsula, the two had no official communication or other contact until 1971. At that time they agreed to hold talks through their respective Red Cross societies with the aim of reuniting the many Korean families separated following the division of Korea and the Korean war. After a series of secret meetings, both sides announced a 1972 agreement to work toward peaceful reunification and an end to the hostile atmosphere prevailing on the peninsula.

Presidential elections on 27 Apr 1971 add turmoil to situation. Park’s opponent was Congressman Kim Dae-jung. Park won the election by a narrow margin of about a million votes.

NK agents were captured throughout Korea — some of whom had a mission to disrupt the presidential elections — and others to assassinate important political figures. Over 130 agents were arrested by the KCIA over the course of the year. Many of the agents centered around Chejudo and Pusan as prime infiltration points. There were many incursions by infiltrators over the DMZ. The KCIA announced the capture of 13-man espionage ring in North Cholla Province in Feb and 11-man ring in April. There was also a sinking of a 70-ton infiltration boat 60 miles south of Seoul, but not before it downed a ROK aircraft.

Transportation became a problem as the Seoul expanded south of the Han River. Nine mile-long subway system for Seoul had its ground breaking in March with expected completion in Mar 74.

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1972

(L) Songbuk Elementary School (1972) (Songbuk Elementary School) (NOTE: The original one-story wood structure built in 1954 replaced with two story concrete structure. The slopes to the playground were still earth covered.)

The title of the high school would be changed on 16 Dec 1972 to Taegwang High School due to a change in regulations. Taegwang Chongup High School was officially opened on 22 Nov 1969 as a spin-off of the Taegwang Middle School on the same location.
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Flooding at Osan: 36 TFS Receives ROK PUC 19 Aug 1972 Osan AB was hit by torrential rains caused by nearing typhoons which resulted in heavy flooding. Evacuation plans were nearly put into effect. For their efforts in supporting the 314th Air Division, the 36th was awarded the ROK Presidential Unit Citation for assistance to the Korean people during the storm. (Source: 36th Fiends History.) (NOTE: The Pyongtaek area is a flood-plain area and noted for massive flooding every ten years. However, remember that though the 36th TFS was assigned to Osan AB on 13 Nov 1971, it remained a “detachment” of the 3rd TFW of Kunsan AB. It would not be assigned to the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) until 30 Sep 1974. (Source: AFHRA: 36th FS.))

36th TFS Developments 36th TFS converts from the F-4C to the F-4D in 1972. Some of the F-4Ds were bedded down at Taegu AB. (Source: 36th Fiends History.) (NOTE: On paper, the 36th TFS still was assigned to the 3rd TFW — and would be called on to fill in at Kunsan AB when the 35th TFS was deployed to Vietnam and Thailand in 1972. The 35th pilots complained that their compadres drank up all their stashed booze supply in their absence.)

OV-10A Bronco (USAF Photo)

19th TASS Moves to Osan The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the OV-10A Broncos was assigned to the 314th Air Division on 15 Jan 1972 at Osan AB. The squadron remained unmanned and unequipped until transferred to Osan AB, South Korea, on 15 Jan 1972. Taking over the 0-2 aircraft of another squadron, the 19th TASS supported the Eighth U.S. Army and Republic of Korea (ROK) ground forces, providing close air and aerial reconnaissance support. In 1973, trained the ROK Air Force to operate a Direct Air Support Center. On 30 Sept 1974, it was assigned to the 51st Composite Wing at Osan AB when the Wing assumed control of the base. In 1975, converted to the OV-10A “Bronco” aircraft.

19th TASS (FAC Association)

Operated from 1975 until 1980 a tactical air control system from three forward locations, and maintained a detachment from 15 Apr 1976 to 8 Jan 1980 at Camp Casey, one of the three forward locations. Since 1980, the 19th has operated the forward air control mission within the Korean tactical air control system. Operated from Suwon AB, Sep-Nov 1983, while runway repair went on at Osan AB. Converted in 1983 to the OA-37B “Dragonfly” twin-jet aircraft, only to switch back to the OV-10 two years later. Periodically deployed personnel and aircraft at Clark AB, Philippines, for Cope Thunder exercises, supporting close air support tactical fighter aircraft in coordination with tactical air control systems. While assigned to the 5th Tactical Air Control Group during the 1980s, provided battalion liaison officers to the 2nd Infantry Division and OV-10 forward air controllers to the Seventh Air Force commander in support of the Korean Tactical Air Control System. Moved from osan AB to Suwon AB, South Korea, in August 1989, but returned to Osan on 1 Oct 1990, when it was assigned to the 51st Fighter Group. (Source: 19th TASS.)

OV-10 Coming out of Osan Hangar (1979) (USAF Photo)

The history of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light) (19 TASS) dates back to WWII The Squadron, redesignated the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light), was reactivated on 17 June 1963, and was organized on 8 July 1963 at Bien Hoa AB, RVN. Briefly inactive between August and October of 1964, the Squadron O-1s, O-2s and OV-10As as Forward FACs remained at Bien Hoa until 1 August 1971 when its resources were relocated to Phan Rang AB, RVN, and were incorporated into a unit located there.

The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the OV-10A Broncos was assigned to the 314th Air Division on 15 Jan 1972 at Osan AB. On 30 Sept 1974, it was assigned to the 51st Composite Wing at Osan AB when the Wing assumed control of the base.

Detachment: 1, 19th TASS was operated at Camp Casey, South Korea from 15 Apr 1976-8 Jan 1980.

On 8 Jan 1980, it was assigned to the 5th Tactical Air Control Group flying the OV-10A Broncos at Osan AB. The unit for a short time between 1983-1985 flew the unit also flew the OA-37s as the ROKAF at Wonju was obtaining the OA-37s being phased out of the USAF inventory. Det 1, Hq, 5th TACG operated at Wonju from 8 Jan 1980-1 May 1983. Det 1, Hq TCG operated at Camp Red Cloud from 1 May 1983-15 Dec 1989, Still under the 5th TACG, the unit moved to Suwon AB on 1 Aug 1989. Det 2, Hq, 5th Tactical Control Group operated from Taegu and later, Suwon AB from1 Sep 1970-1 Oct 1990. (Source: 5th TCG.)

The OV-10 Bronco was a multi-purpose, light attack aircraft acquired by the Marine Corp for observation squadrons to conduct visual reconnaissance missions. The OV-10A is a twin-turboprop short takeoff and landing aircraft conceived by the Marine Corps and developed under an Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tri-service program. The first production OV-10A was ordered in 1966 and its initial flight took place in August 1967. The OV-10 can be used for short take-offs and landings on aircraft carriers without the use of catapults. With the second seat removed, it can carry 3,200 pounds of cargo, five paratroopers or two litter patients and an attendant. Adding to its versatility is a rear fuselage compartment with a capacity of 3,200 pounds of cargo, five combat-equipped troops, or two litter patients and a medical attendant.

The Bronco’s mission capabilities include observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility and limited ground attack; however, the USAF acquired the Bronco primarily as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. The Bronco also provides transportation for aerial radiological reconnaissance, tactical air observers, artillery and naval gunfire spotting and airborne controllers of tactical air support operations. Other tasks include armed escort for helicopters and front line, low-level aerial photography.

The first USAF OV-10As destined for combat arrived in Vietnam on July 31, 1968. A total of 157 OV-10As were delivered to the USAF before production ended in April 1969.

(Source: FAS: OV-10)
Ultimately, the unit relocated back to Osan Air Base under the 51st Fighter Group (later the 51st Operations Group) on 1 Oct 1990, where it was inactivated on 1 October 1993.

The 19th TASS was reactivated at Nellis AFB, NV as part of the USAF Weapons School on 3 Feb 2003 as the 19th Weapons Squadron. (Source: FAC Association: 19 TASS; AFHRA: 314th AD; and AFHRA: 19th WS.)
ROK Developments With the announcement of the visit by US president Richard Nixon to communist China in 1972, North and South Korea attempted briefly to end the confrontation and improve relations. Lee Hu-rak (then director of the South Korean intelligence, KCIA) and Kim Young-joo (brother of Kim Il-sung) met secretly in Pyongyang and Seoul, and agreed on the principles of a peaceful reunification, self-reliance and cooperation. However, instead of improved relations and exchanges between people, an arms race started. In the North, with the revision of the constitution, a personal state of Kim Il-sung who now became president, emerged. In the South, president Park Chung-hee began in 1972 his military dictatorship under the yushin constitution. The perceived security threat from the other regime served as legitimacy.

The US agreed to give the ROK a $2 million AID loan to finance surveys on various economic projects during the ROK’s third five-year economic plan (1972-1976) (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p158, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

On 30 Jun 1972, the last of 2,000 slot machines in Eighth Army, ordered removed from Army clubs by the Secretary of the Army, are desteroyed. Their absence would mean a multi-million dollar revenue loss for the commands’ 135 clubs. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p60, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

On 17 Oct 1972, Park Chung-hee suspends the constitution and declares martial law throughout the country. The National Assembly is dissolved and political opposition eliminated. US declares dismay, but military continues normal duties. On 27 Oct, Park presents a 126-article Constitution for a national referendum within a month. It dissolves the National Assembly and provides for the election of the President every six years by a 2, 395 person National Conference for Unification. It consolidates his powers as President. 91.5 percent of the voters approve the new constitution in a high voter turnout.

US repeats that it has no plans to reduce its forces in Korea. US destroyer USS Chavelier transferred to the ROK Navy to beef up their defense. M-16 manufacturing plant construction started in Korea in March 1972 and was to be completed in December with first M-16s in 1973. The US is leasing a squadron of F-4s from the Philippines for the ROK.

The UN Security Council voted to postpone the “Korea Question” until 1973. The Communist bloc wants to disband the UNC and remove the Americans from the bases in Korea.

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1973

School building (1973) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003)) (NOTE: Notice the new building in foreground and old building in background.)
Students walking (1973) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003)) (NOTE: Notice old building in rear.)

Volleyball Team (1973) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003)) (NOTE: Notice old building in rear.)

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Pyeongtaek Lake Constructed In December 1973, a 2km-long embankment was constructed from the coast shared by G839gwan-ri, Hyeondeok-myeon, Pyeongtaekho-si Gyeonggi-do province and Mowon-ri, Inju-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do province, creating a huge 24 sqkm. Ever since, this lake has been crowded with anglers from across the country all year round. Pyeongtaekho is a tidal lake, which is quite different from inland lakes because the water flows back and forth with the high and low tides. The lake is famous for its crucian carp and other species of carp.

Pyeongtaek Lake

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314th AD Defender, 13 Jun 1973 article: “Red Horse Gallops to Korea”

554 CESHR Red Horse
554th CESHR Squadron “Red Horse” The following is from Robert G.”Andy” Anderson’s Red Horse Country:

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
OSAN AIR BASE, KOREA
Detachment #1
554th CESHR Squadron
Written By: CMSgt Wayland Davis

From April 1973 to October 1974, Detachment 1, 554th Civil Engineering Squadron Heavy Repair located at Osan Air Base initially provided for the bed down of the advanced party of 13 personnel from Headquarters at U-Tapao RTAFB, in April 1973 beginning with the renovation of a flight line located facility to accommodate the assigned personnel. The facility when renovated would serve as the billeting for the 50 member enlisted personnel until they were housed within a more permanent barracks having two-man individual rooms in April 1976. The detachments FY-74 construction program began with working on the 51st Base Civil Engineering Squadron Complex; a completely different and newly designed area for replacing a much older 1950뭩 era Quonset hut buildings left over from the Korean War period.

Red Horse Flightline Dormitories (1973)

Red Horse HQ Building Advance Party (1973)

Red Horse HQ Sign (1973)

Red Horse HQ Sign (1973)

Red Horse Commander Capt Horst Haeusser reenlists MSgt Davis (1973)
Within the compound RED HORSE would site locate a new 64-foot by 120-foot administrative building, a 50-foot by 200-foot PASCO type combined maintenance shops building, two 50-foot by 100- foot Butler type supply storage buildings, and a fenced in open bulk storage yard a total cost in excess of $350,000 dollars. Through this vast building effort, from November 1973 to October 1974, a total of 60,000 square feet of new office, maintenance, and storage space was realized at a funded cost of $600,000 dollars.

Red Horse Inside Storage Area (1973)

Typical Column Support with SSgt Johny Martin (1973)

Red Horse Shops Under Construction (1973)

Red Horse Shops Under Construction (1973)

Red Horse Shops Under Construction (1973)
Adjacent to the BCE compound was a newly constructed 50-foot by 100-foot PASCO type War Readiness Materials Warehouse (WRM) and also the temporary locations for a RED HORSE Administration building, Operations shops and Supply building. During this period a total placing, screeding and finishing of 22,680 square feet of concrete floor slabs. The shared compound with the BCE was part of the heavy equipment parking area for both types of vehicles assigned to the detachment.

Red Horse HQ Bldg (1973)
A crew began working on a 64-foot by 120-foot Transportation Management Office building funded at $95,000 dollars and a 20-foot by 180- foot storage shed with the BCE Design Branch progressing with new designs for other plotted buildings located throughout Osan Air Base. The masonry and concrete crew had placed and finished the sum total of 1,500 cubic yards pf concrete and laid 2,000 CMU blocks to form, mechanical rooms, firewalls, office and latrine areas all during this period. In this capacity, the management began to realize a need for Korean Nationals to assist and advise on the $1,000,000 dollar major construction efforts soon to begin in Korea.

To get our own shops building; we had to remove a total metal building from an Army Support Command, District Engineers Facilities compound located in Seoul, South Korea and truck it back to Osan for our erecting it to serve as a multi- shop combined specialist working area. The RED HORSE work crew during the dismantling phase performed those duties in a manner described only as being truly outstanding by completing the assignment within only eight hours time. By having the means and methods for the disassembly phase that impressed even the Army뭩 own engineers. Once back at Osan RED HORSE personnel hastily prepared the building foundation and pad then the erection phase began. Connecting the metal building to a wooden built in-place structure it would serve the detachment well throughout early 1973 to 1975. The detachment received additional military personnel and with additional people and equipment more projects could be supported.

Using both types of metal buildings, PASCO and Butler; also with a workforce of Korean employees RED HORSE took on the construction of several projects that would improve the quality of life for all assigned personnel to Osan Air Base, and would become the largest vertical square footage gains at Osan since the Korean War ended. RED HORSE would also be tasked to rebuild the Osan main gate entry point when an Army vehicle crashed into it. It was an opportunity for providing a different design for a building much more suitable for the new and improved Osan Air Base main gate.

Old Main Gate before Red Horse Rebuilt New Gate (1973)

New Main Gate built by Det 1 554th CESHR (1974)

New family housing near Commissary
Work done by ROK Contractors (1973)

RED HORSE also developed local methods using oil fired heating furnaces, H-1 aircraft portable heaters, and PVC sheeting material used as tenting covers. Now we were capable of construction twelve months of the year instead of eight months. Without heat the masonry and concrete phase of outdoors construction would cease from the months of November until April. The work on the BCE Administrative and Maintenance complex would continue expediently as this became the focus of priority number one for the remainder of this period.

SMSgt Caulwell and MSgt Davis with Heater Furnace for Concrete Curing (1974)
In October 1975, most of the Headquarters?staff and personnel had departed U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand and the Commander would be reassigned to Osan Air Base our total operation staged within the old #800 buildings area that once served as the Base Civil Engineering shops facilities. The move into the newer 51st BCE complex was completed and the older buildings would now become our next permanent Headquarters, 554th CESHR located at Osan Air Base, Korea. Detachment 1, 554th CESHR would then relocate to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Work on the area #800 would begin as a priority but other structures would begin also and they were being designed for the use of a combination of masonry and steel preengineered metal buildings dismantled and removed now from Thailand.

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction: Drainage Project (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction: Fencing (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction: Fencing (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction: Paving Outdoor Storage Area (1974)

Base CE Shops Under Construction: Storage Building (1974)
The effort for dismantling buildings within Thailand continued as Headquarters made the final move out of Southeast Asia but small work parties remained to retrograde assets both vertical, revetment, and runway A-M2 matting. On October 15, 1973, the detachment was tasked with the construction of a 50-foot by 100- foot PASCO building to be used as an Automotive Maintenance building at Taegu Air Base. Although, the facility was already under construction additional detachment personnel were required to fabricate and install a mechanical exhaust blower and ducting system. In addition, to manufacture a tire tube tester stand and modify the environmental heating system. Within as little as ten working days this facility was fully operational and the crew returned to Osan Air Base.

Vehicle Maintenance Building (1973)

Laying Concrete at Diamond “C”

Laying Concrete at Diamond “C”

TSgt Michael Sonnenberg with Well Drilling Team

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ROK enters Post-Vietnam Era As to the Republic of Korea, it was entering the Post-Vietnam era. In 1973, the ROKF-V from Vietnam were returning. In 1973, the withdrawal of the ROK forces from Vietnam was completed. More than 320,000 participated in the Vietnam War since Oct 1965, with some 3,700 killed and 8,300 wounded. The ROK forces accounted for 11 times that number inflicted on the enemy. The ROK 9th (White Horse) Division returned in February, while the ROK Capital (Tiger) Division had already returned home. About 37,000 remained in the beginning of the year and returned in March. 37,000 ROK soldiers return home from Vietnam to a hero’s welcome — only to be forgotten soon thereafter.

In March, the US officially ended 8 years of operations in Vietnam.

The Third Army Command was created and the ROK Marine Corps was incorporated into the navy losing its separate status.

The ROK modernization program began in 1971 was estimated to cost $1.5 billion over a five-year period. The US maintained about 42,000 men in Korea and had spent approx $5 billion from 1940-1971. The US assured Korea that there would not be any reductions in the current numbers of US troops. Despite cut in foreign aid, the US declares its support. A squadron of F-5Es were to be delivered in 1974. However, former Defense officials testified before Congress that there was no justification for retaining such large numbers in Korea and recommended reductions. By mid 1973, it was apparent that the five-year upgrade program would NOT meet its goals because of the cuts in funding and equipment transfers.

Infiltration by the North continues. In March infiltrators kill ROK guards in an island off Cheju and escape. In April two North infiltrators killed on the DMZ. In May one of two infiltrators killed on the islet of Kumdang on the south coast. In May the KCIA arrest a Japanese couple and male Korean resident of Japan on spy charges. Two of the five-man ring remained at large in Japan. Convicted North Korean spy Kim Chun-bae hanged in Seoul. He had conducted extensive spying in the south for two years before being caught by the ROK ASC. The KCIA announced the breakup of an 11-man spy ring at Seoul’s Korea University, including long-time spy Kim Mak-jung. In June the KNP announce the capture of two North Korean spies in a mining area north of Seoul. The ROK ASC announced the arrest of 11 spies who organized four rings in Seoul and Pusan. In Jul the KCIA arrested a North Korean spy from Japan who had operated since 1971. KCIA reports the surrender of an NK agent who had operated for 12 years and had infiltrated the Mindan labor movement in Japan.

Kim Dae-jung kidnapped from Tokyo Hotel on 8 Aug by KCIA. Kim Dae-jung kidnapped by Park Chung-hee KCIA, but denied by KCIA. Kim Dae-jung released and condemns Park government. Due to the US intervention of the US Ambassador to Japan and interception at sea, Kim Dae-jung saved. Kim Dae-jung released to his Seoul home in mid August. The KCIA denies its involvement, but it was apparent who pulled the strings on this action.

These initial contacts between the North and South ended in August 1973 following President Park’s announcement that the South would seek separate entry into the United Nations, and the kidnapping of South Korean opposition leader Kim Dae-jung from Tokyo by the South Korean intelligence service. The breakdown reflected basic differences in approach, with Pyongyang insisting on immediate steps toward reunification before discussing specific issues and Seoul maintaining that, given the long history of mutual distrust, reunification must come through a gradual, step-by-step process.

First student protests against Park Chung-hee begin with arrests of students. President Park declared a “state of emergency” due to the increasing protests from students, religious, press and political groups. The special military tribunal would sentence up to 15 years any person protesting the 1972 Constitution that expanded Park Chung-hee’s Presidential powers. 26 persons, including six clergymen, convicted by military tribunal with sentences of 3-5 years. In April, Seoul National University students again protest for constitutional reforms. Park Chung-hee bans the Student Union

In October, discord from Seoul National University once again rears its head with anti-government protests. Riot police break up the demonstrations. Protests spread for seven weeks to other universities and colleges who demand reforms to Park’s “dictatorial” government. In December, Park orders the release of all students arrested and allows schools to reinstate those who were involved in the protests.

The ROK has 32 million people with 6.5 million in Seoul. In Mar the new subway starts up operations in Seoul with expectations of completion in Aug. The average monthly wage for a Korean is $63.50, while a ROK 4-star general receives $470/mo.
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US Developments A cease fire was arranged in Vietnam in Jan 73 but soon the truce was breached by the North Vietnamese forces. However, the conflict was definitely drawing down…the American public, politicians and the military was tired of this war — that most saw as impossible to win. Aircraft were no longer siphoned off for Southeast Asia as units were withdrawn and sent to Clark AB to form a huge composite wing.

Unfortunately, with a gradual drawdown in Southeast Asia, there was also an immediate drawdown in personnel and funding that affected all units within PACAF. All units were being downsized. But even as the units were drawing down, there were increased taskings Korea-wide. The first of the Team Spirit exercises took place — though not officially recognized under that name until 1978 — that attempted to bring together elements from all the services in Japan and U.S. to practice its war fighting capabilities.

President Harry Truman and then President Lydon Johnson dies leaving no living ex-Presidents. President Nixon takes office. On 30 June 1973, compulsory military service ceases in the US as the Selective Service Act of 24 Jun 48 officially comes to an end this date. End of the MPC worldwide in October 1973.
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USFK Developments According to the 8th Army 1973 Chronology, on 8 Jan 1973, in his final defense report to the House Armed Services Committee, outgoing Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird said that if current plans for US military aid to the ROK are fulfilled, there will be no requirement for US ground troops in Korea. He explained, “In the case of aggression by North Korea against the South, without the direct involvement of Communist China, we would look to the South Koreans to provide the first line of defense of their own country.” The Department of Defense strongly recommended $250 million in military aid to the ROK, but the Congress cut the foreign aid by 30 percent as the US started to enter a phase of isolationism after the national fiasco of Vietnam.

The 13-month tour of duty for US servicemen in Korea was reduced to a 12-month tour. The 13-month tour started in 1957 due to the one-month time for sea travel to get to Korea. Compulsory military service comes to an end in the US with the end of the Selective Service Act of 1948. The Voluntary Army concept begins as of 1 Jul 1973.

Combat pay removed for the DMZ area as no soldier killed for four years. Reduced fuel and food rationing in Korea.

Racial violence breaks out in Sept. 60 Army and USAF personnel brawl near Osan AB. Four hospitalized, while 31 injured including 4 Koreans. Korus Magazine published for the first time in 1973. Drug testing became the major issue. Random uranalysis was strengthened with those returning from TDY and leave having to have testing within 24 hours.

USFK Events According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 12 Nov 1973, a free-for-all broke out involving approximately 50 Americans. One Ya Jae-young was hurt and required treatment. No other details. Outcome of this incident unknown. However, unless it was a serious crime case involving murder/rape, the ROK police usually waived jurisdiction after a preliminary investigation. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, “Pyeongtaek Si Sa.”)

On 19 Nov 1973, USFK authorities direct conversion of Military Payment Certificates (MPC) to greenbacks. The $16.8 million, one-day cnangeover, which DOD attributes tot he ROK’s economic progress and monetary stability, ends use of MPCs anywhere in the world. Since 1946, nine successive series of MPCs were used as legal tender by US military personnel in Korea. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p173, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

The historic ASCOM Depot in Pupyong closed. It was opened in the Occupation Forces days and remained open after the US Forces pulled out in 1949. It was overrun by the Chinese when Seoul fell but reopened after Seoul was retaken during the Korean War. It had remained open ever since.

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1974

Sports Day (1974) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book) (2003))
Students Autumn Festival (1978) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book) (2003))

The following are the photos of Ken Shallenbarger on the Osan Retired Activities Office. The photos show the dramatic change that has occurred in the area starting in the early 1970s. The small “shanty town stores were gone and replaced by two story concrete buildings. There is a construction boom going on in the area with new buildings replacing the older structures. The area had been transformed into the “shoppers paradise” that military people have come to expect from the area. The “mall” area was still open to vehicular traffic and led up to the railroad tracks. There was increasing wealth within the housing area as more concrete structures with tile roofs were built. The overpass over the railroad tracks still had not been built in early 1974.

Alleyway to Residential area (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

School located down the road from the Main Gate about a 1/2 mile (NOTE: The Songshin Elementary is to the left. The building is the Taegwang Middle School and Taegwang High School. The design for the school was typical of the times with a long hallway to the front and classrooms off the central hall. The “steps” to the school were the student tiers for events. On the school ground soccer goals are set up. The school playgrounds also doubled as the area’s playground before and after school hours.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Songtan rooftops (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)
Songtan rooftops (NOTE: The ceramic tile rooftops and use of concrete for structures indicate increased affluence in the area.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

KBS reports that one in 3.5 households has a television and the total of 1.6 million sets was a five-fold increase from 1971. Statistics released by the ROK’S Korea Developmnet Institute show that the South’s 1974 GNP was $17.16 billion and per capita income reached $513, indicating a growth roate of 11 percent. (Source: 1974 8th Army Chronological History.)

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36th TFS Assigned to 51st CW On 1 Jun 1974, the 36th TFS changed from F-4D to F-4E aircraft. The 36th TFS was finally attached to the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) starting from 30 Sep 1974 — three years after it left Kunsan to form the Det 1, 347th TFW at Osan. (Source: 36th Fiends History.)

Up to this time the 3rd TFW (of which the 36th belonged administratively) had been pulling the nuclear SIOP mission at both Kunsan (35th/80th TFS) and Osan (36th TFS). From 1971-1974, the 36th TFS F-4Ds were housed in the Diamond area on nuclear alert with two-four aircraft “hot cocked” with two spares. (See 1971: 36 Moves to Osan and SIOP Nuclear Alert Commitment) In 1974 with the arrival of the 8th TFW to Kunsan, the nuclear alert commitment was switched to the 18th TFW in Okinawa. Now freed of the SIOP commitment, the 36th was free to finally transfer administratively to the 51st CW who had taken over the base.

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F-4E of 36th TFS with North Korea in background (Scott Miller/Scott Jackson)
36th TFS Converts to F-4E The 36th TFS converted from the F-4D to the F-4E on 1 Jun 1974 prior to it becoming a part of the 51st Composite Wing.

(SPECULATION) The move to equip the 36th TFS with F-4Es that were scheduled for replacement in frontline forces within the next few years by the F-15 (1975) and F-16 (1979) may have been influenced by the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) campaign to get the ROK to buy the F-4E.

The Republic of Korea Air Force ordered 37 F-4Es from McDonnell, receiving the first examples in 1978. The US offered 24 surplus F-4Es in 1988 and 30 in 1989, but probably only the latter batch was actually delivered. Some Korean F-4Es are equipped to carry the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack laser designator pod. (Source: Baugher Site: F-16. NOTE: Interestingly it erroneously lists it assigned to 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing.)

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19th TASS transfers to 51st Composite Wing The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the OV-10A Broncos was transferred from the 314th Air Division at Osan AB on 30 Sept 1974 and assigned to the 51st Composite Wing at Osan AB when the Wing assumed control of the base. (Source: AFHRA: 19th WS.)

19th TASS (Squawk-Flash)

Operations

The 19th observation (later, Liaison) Squadron activated on 2Mar 1942. Flew anti-submarine missions while undergoing observation training at various bases in the southeastern U.S. Shipped to the west coast and departed the U.S. on 9 Mar 1944. Arrived in India in April, and after several weeks of further training, moved to China in May 1944 to begin observation missions in support of Chinese ground forces. At various times, the 19th was based at or operated detachments from Kunming, Chengkung, Nanning, Poashan, Wenshan, Yunnanyi, Chihkiang, Kweiyang, and Liuchow. After Mar 1945, the squadron carried mail and passengers to American liaison personnel in South China, and 19 TASS flew re-supply missions to resistance forces operating behind enemy lines in French Indochina. Shortly after the Japanese surrendered, the 19th returned via India to the U.S., where it inactivated on 1 Dec 1945.

The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron organized in Jul 1963 South Vietnam, where it flew missions for the Vietnamese Air Force and trained Vietnamese pilots and observers in the 0-1 aircraft. Operations including forward air support, combat support liaison, visual reconnaissance, forward air control of fighters, artillery adjustment, and escort for convoys, trains, and helicopters. Also flew psychological warfare, radio relay, and re-supply missions. Briefly inactivated between Aug and Oct 1964, the 19th TASS renewed its support of combat operations on 21 Oct. Primarily it provided visual and photographic reconnaissance and airborne forward air control for fighter aircraft. Also trained USAF and Vietnamese pilots and observers in 0-1 and, from 1968, 0-2 and OV-10 operations. Then, on 30 Sep 1971, another unit absorbed the 19th’s resources. The squadron remained unmanned and unequipped until transferred to Osan AB, South Korea, on 15 Jan 1972. Taking over the 0-2 aircraft of another squadron, the 19th TASS supported the Eighth U.S. Army and Republic of Korea (ROK) ground forces, providing close air and aerial reconnaissance support. In 1973, trained the ROK Air Force to operate a Direct Air Support Center. In 1975, converted to the OV-10A “Bronco” aircraft.

Operated from 1975 until 1980 a tactical air control system from three forward locations, and maintained a detachment from 15 Apr 1976 to 8 Jan 1980 at Camp Casey, one of the three forward locations. Since 1980, the 19th has operated the forward air control mission within the Korean tactical air control system. Operated from Suwon AB, Sep-Nov 1983, while runway repair went on at Osan AB. Converted in 1983 to the OA-37B “Dragonfly” twin-jet aircraft, only to switch back to the OV-10 two years later. Periodically deployed personnel and aircraft at Clark AB, Philippines, for Cope Thunder exercises, supporting close air support tactical fighter aircraft in coordination with tactical air control systems. While assigned to the 5th Tactical Air Control Group during the 1980s, provided battalion liaison officers to the 2nd Infantry Division and OV-10 forward air controllers to the Seventh Air Force commander in support of the Korean Tactical Air Control System. Moved from osan AB to Suwon AB, South Korea, in August 1989, but returned to Osan on 1 Oct 1990, when it was assigned to the 51st Fighter Group.

EMBLEM

Description: on a white disc, border black, piped white, a gremlin proper, wearing a blue suit trimmed with collar, cuffs, and three buttons, all red, red shoes and cap, diving through the air, peering forward under the cupped right hand while holding brown briefcase in the left hand; binoculars strung about the neck by black straps and flowing to rear. Significance: The insignia typifies the function of the squadron, speedy courier service, observation, reconnaissance, and liaison. Approved on 11 Oct 1943. Photographic Negative Numbers: 26595 AC (black and white); K2842 (Color). (Source: Squawk-Flash: 19th TASS.)
Gerry William Johnson of Cortez, CO wrote at Aeroweb, “I worked on the OV-10 From the first delivered to Bergstrom AFB Tx.January 1976. Served as assistant crew cheif on 67-14670 until leaving for Osan Korea in the summer of 1978 assigned to the 19th Aircraft maint.unit Here I crewed 6714655 and was deployed TDY flying from Osan to Clark AFB in the back seat of a 68 model OV-10 with the tail # 836. Lots of great memories of the OV-10 and of the folks that worked on and flew the Bronco.”

OV-10 in Vietnam (Robert McNamarra)
The OV-10A was a twin turbine engined aircraft (two 715 shp Garrett turboprops), primarily designed for COIN, light strike and observation missions. Can carry up to 3,600 lbs of stores on seven weapons stations. Maximum endurance is 5.5 hours with a combat radius of 300 nautical miles. Carries a pilot and an observer in tandem on two zero-zero ejection seats (LW-3B). The rear seat is removable though in practice this is rarely done. Reflecting its ground support and surveillance role, it carries a high level of communication and navigation equipment including GPS, VOR, TACAN IFF, ADF and VHF-AM, VHF-FM, UHF, HF radios. GPS was added in the Philippines. The GPS units on PAF Broncos are installed on the cockpit coaming together with a power receptacle to connect it to an on-board power source. Cockpit lighting is also NVG compatible.

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Outside Main Gate before the Overpass to MSR-1 built (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Outside of Main Gate Before Overpass built (NOTE: The Main Gate Structure had been completed by the 554th CESHR Redhorse as seen by the New Main Gate stanchions to right.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

First Stores Outside Main Gate (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Main street outside of Main Gate

Main street outside of Main Gate (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Kyonggi Bank Outside Main Gate (NOTE: Later became the Hanmi Bank (or Korea-America Bank (Hanguk-Miguk)) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Aragon Alley (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Aragon Alley (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Mike’s All-Seaons Shop (NOTE: A landmark shop on the Shinjang Mall) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Construction Everywhere (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Construction Everywhere (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Construction Everywhere: Multi-purpose tractor used on farms to till the fields and to haul sand for construction (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Open Market selling ground Chili (Gochu) powder (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Open Market (NOTE: This area in same location near overpass, but now “hidden” by all the new shops.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for bags (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for blankets (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for brass at Lim’s Brass Shop — girls unknown (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for black lacquerware (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for lacquerware furniture (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for black lacquerware furniture (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for lacquerware furniture (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Shopping for shoes (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Children’s ride (NOTE: The horses were on springs and children bounce up and down on them for a pitiance. These are still seen along the streets and in parks in many urban areas pushed by old “harabojis” (grandfathers).) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

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Cowboy Drivers (NOTE: With the construction boom came the “cowboy drivers” who drove dangerously through the streets. The problem was that they were forced to a time schedule and if they didn’t meet the schedule they lost their jobs. As a result, many of these drivers resorted to drugs (uppers) to stay awake. As more and more cars appeared on the road, the inevitable happened with increased fatalities making Korea’s roads one of the most dangerous in the world. Especially prone were people walking along the side of the road who would fall victim to hit-and-run accidents. The Korean National Police traffic cops did almost nothing to resolve the traffic problem as the company owners had political clout — but mainly because there were just too few of them to patrol all the roads.)

Kyongbu line with train southbound to Pyongtaek. (NOTE: Notice that the rail was still a two track system — one north and one southbound.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Traffic Light at the junction of MSR-1 (NOTE: This is appears to be at the MSR-1 junction (where Express Bus Terminal is today on the corner with the police officer). The policeman is controlling the traffic light from the corner.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Traffic Light at the junction of MSR-1 (NOTE: This is where the express bus terminal is today.) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

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51st MMS Commander supervises the decorations for upcoming Bicentennial Celebrations

Ken Shallenbarger (on left) in his “combat ready” attire for exercises (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Senior NCO Barracks (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Colonel quarters on base (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Temporary Quarters (TO6) that were over 20 years old (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Sports Area Golf Course-Baseball Diamond (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Koreans play golf on base golf-course (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

View from the 6th Tee with ROKAF area in rear (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

Buildings Next to Railroad tracks (NOTE: Demolished in 2003) (1974) (Ken Shallenbarger)

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47th ARRS, Det 9 “Pedro” Deactivated Starting in Sep 1964, Osan AB was supported by the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), 36th Air Rescue Service (ARS), Detachment 4. The unit flew the HH-43B Huskie which was dubbed “Pedro.” Two HH-43B Pedros were assigned to Osan AB — aircraft 60-251 and 60-252 as of Sep 64. Assigned under the under the Air Rescue Service (ARS) based in the Pacific Air Force (PACAF) region. The MATS, 36th ARS, Det 4 became Provisional Air Rescue Component (PARC), Det 9 on 25 July 1965 and remained with this designator until 08 Jan 1966.

The MATS changed to the Military Airlift Command (MAC) in 1969. On Dec 1969, the designator changed to MAC, PARRC, Det 4. The unit designator of MAC, 41st ARRW (Air Rescue and Recovery Wing), Det 9 which it maintained from 08 Feb 1969 – 01 Jun 70. The 47th ARRS was activated at Fuchu AB, Japan. In Jun 1970, the unit changed to the MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.9.

In Jan 71 the 47th ARRS, Det.9 was released from their requirement to maintain alert at Suwon AB. On 1 Jul 71, the 47th ARRS was deactivated. The unit was reassigned from the 47th ARRS, Det 9 on 01 Jul 71 and became the MAC, 41 ARRW, 33 ARRS, Det 1. In 1971, all HH-43Bs were modified to HH-43Fs. The unit flew 2 HH-43F helicopters. It remained under this designator until 1974 when the unit was deactivated. (Source: HH-43B Huskie Site.)

Practice Fire Exercise at Kunsan AB with HH-43B 1593 (1971) (Vern Wagner)

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554th CESHR Squadron “Red Horse” The following is from Robert G.”Andy” Anderson’s Red Horse Country:

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
OSAN AIR BASE, KOREA
Detachment #1
554th CESHR Squadron
In January 1974, personnel erected a Multi-purpose Recreation Facility, of the Wonder Arch type, in the early stages of construction at Kwangju Air Base, Korea. This facility was the first ever erected in Korea. Some problems were due to a long outside storage of the package; parts were missing and items such as the hardwood flooring, for the handball and squash courts were warped or deteriorated needing repairs. Utilizing shared joint knowledge and other available resources were necessary to achieve outstanding results and a highly professional project upon completion in May 1974. Some other projects were started and supported like the Religious Educational Center, Base Education Center and the relocation of the RED HORSE temporary compound.

MSgt Robert “Andy” Anderson at Kunsan (1974)

Red Horse Officer and Friend (1974)

SMSgt Caulwell with Red Horse Employees (1974)

MSgt Davis, TSgt Blackwell and Korean Superior Performers (1974)

Carpenter Sgt Austin with Korean Employee (1974)

Carpentry Shop Mr. Pae, Mr. Kim, MSgt Wayland Davis (1974)

Harry Tezlaf at Turtle Statue next to “pond” (1965) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: “Pond” actually a sump area as area floods when it rains.)

Remove Turtle Statue from Pond area to make way for Commissary (1974) (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History, Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

314th Defender, “Commissary Construction Continues on Schedule” — New Commissary to open 13 Dec 1981 (1974)

New Commissary built from scratch by Red Horse
Saves drive to Yongsan Commissary

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ROK Developments Transportation became a problem as Seoul expanded south of the Han River. In 1974, Seoul adopted a 20-year plan to continue its expansion south of the river and build new bridges across the Han. The new areas would have mixed residential and business zones, but Seoul’s old center was devoted exclusively to business and cultural structures. Yet crowding remained a problem, especially as more and more Koreans bought cars. Underground parking lots were built, and Seoul developed a plan for a subway system to transport people quickly to and from residential areas.
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Tensions increase and Terrorist Attack kills Park Chung-Hee’s Wife In 1974, President Park Chung Hee proposed signing an inter-Korean nonaggression treaty. However, North Korea rebuked the idea and unilaterally stopped negotiations between the countries. It would be another thirty years before they would resume.

Then North Korean armed agent Mun Se-kwang, a 23 year-old leftist Korean residing in Japan, attempted to shoot President Park Chung-hee, but the first lady was killed on 15 Aug 1974. He infiltrated security at Seoul’s National Theater and fired a pistol at the podium, missing the President but fatally wounding Korea’s first lady. A young choir girl also dies when hit by gunfire during the incident. Initial interrogation of the assialant revealed that he traveled to Korea earlier in the month on a Japanese passport issued under the name of Yukio Yoshii. The funeral march for Mrs. Park was observed by some two million people when she was buried in the National Cemetary.

A ROK special investigation team alleges that the assassination attempt on President Park was directed by a NK agent and a ranking member of the pro-NI Chosen Soren (General Federation of Koreans Residing in Japan). According to initial reeports, the two collaborators provided the plans and funds for the incident which took the life of Madame Park.

Citing a surge of national unity following the attempt on his life and the death of his wife, President Park repeals tow emergency measures instituted in January and April 1973 which had banned criticism of the constitution and outlawed support of the National Democraftic Student-Youth League, a Communist-backed subversive organization.

USFK Events According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 12 Nov 1973, a free-for-all broke out involving approximately 50 Americans. One Ya Jae-young was hurt and required treatment. No other details. Outcome of this incident unknown. However, unless it was a serious crime case involving murder/rape, the ROK police usually waived jurisdiction after a preliminary investigation. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, “Pyeongtaek Si Sa.”)

On 19 Nov 1973, USFK authorities direct conversion of Military Payment Certificates (MPC) to greenbacks. The $16.8 million, one-day cnangeover, which DOD attributes tot he ROK’s economic progress and monetary stability, ends use of MPCs anywhere in the world. Since 1946, nine successive series of MPCs were used as legal tender by US military personnel in Korea. (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, pp175-177, Command Historian’s Office, USFK/EUSA)

To add to the tensions, Tunnel No. 1 aimed at infiltrating into the ROK was discovered under the DMZ. On 15 Nov 1974, a ROK Army squad on a routine morning patrol in the west-central sector ofthe DMZ notes steam rising from airholes and uncovers a NK-built tunnel eighteen inches below the surface extending 1,000 yards into the UNC side of the Armistice zone. Exploration is halted by machine gun fire from a NK guardpost. The nine-man uNC unit returns defensive fire. No causualties are reported in the brief exchange, the first ground clash between the two sides since March 1973. An evening probe of teh tunnel discovered earlier revealed recent construction complete with reinforced concrete electric lines and lighting, weapons storage, sleeping areas and a narrow guage railway with carts. The illegal underground passageway waas three feet by four feet and, though of undetermined length, is estimated to be capable of housing an infantry regiment and funelling thousands of soldiers into the South in short order. On 20 Nov 1974 an enemy deice expoldes during a joint US/ROK investigation of the extensive NK-built tunnel complex. Killed were 1 US and 1 ROK officers with 5 US and 1 ROK injured.

During 1974, the North had increased its incursions into the South along the five islands along the west coast. Sec of State Kissinger states that the US backs the ROK position on the islands, but doesn’t feel the incursions are indicative of any communist power intentions. In Feb 1974 one fishing boat sunk and one kidnapped by North along Paengyong Island in Yellow Sea with 15 presumed dead and 13 held captive.

In March, 120 North Korean guards riot at Panmunjon slightly injuring 3 US/1 ROK UNC guards. In Mar KCIA busts a 30-member ring operating on Ulung Island off east coast. In May a firefight between ROK and infiltrators on Chuja, an island north of Cheju island, with one dead and one still at large.

On 1 Jan 1974, the ROK, with financial and technical assistance from the US, begins production of M15 rifles, adding to the growing defense industry, which manufactured ammunition, vehicles, missiles, artillery, helicopters and tank rebuild.

In May 1974 the Pentagon acknowledged that US troops in Korea had been reduced from 42,000 to 38,000 during the past year.