오산기지1985-89 이시우 2006/05/10 1129

http://kalaniosullivan.com/OsanAB/OsanSongtanc1.html

1985

Songtan: (Top L&R) Railroad tracks looking north (Notice the Shinjang Rail Overpass in distance); (Bottom L&R) Shinjang-2 dong looking east (1985) (Songbuk Elementary School)

——————————————————————————–

Seojong Elementary Students on Outing (1985) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003))

——————————————————————————–

2146 Comm Squadron: Bottom Row : Big O,TSgt Joe Williams, A1C Rick Dean, A1C Raphael Rivera,” Mac” Top Row : Mr. Kong, Little O, Amn Kneebone, SSgt Baker (Oct 1985) (Unknown: Wire Dawgs.net

——————————————————————————–

North-South Relations Thaw: The North-South relations started showing signs of thawing again. Working-level delegations met in their third round of the South-North Korean Red Cross meetings. The plenary session of the 10th South-North Korean Red Cross Meeting was held. However, the results turned out to be disappointing as ever.

——————————————————————————–

1986

Songbuk Elementary School (1986) (Songbuk Elementary School) (NOTE: The central speakers platform between bleachers constructed in 1984)

Student Activity (1986) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003))
Bluebirds Activity (1986) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book (2003))

——————————————————————————–

November 18, 1986: Songtan-si Building was moved from Jungang-dong to 800, Seojeong-dong by Songtan-si Ordinance No. 398 (Promulgated on November 13, 1986)

In 1986, Pyeongtaek-eup became Pyeongtaek-shi (city) in Pyeongtaek-gun.
——————————————————————————–

25th TFS Squadron Photo taken on Suwon Flightline (Early 1986) (Courtesy Jeffery G. Scism, Life Support, 1985-86)

——————————————————————————–

Fuel Tank Explosion (1986)

Fuel Tank Explosion (1986)

Fuel Tank Explosion On 5 April 1986, a 40,000 gallon fuel tank exploded killing in the initial blast one USAF NCO and fourteen contractor personnel who were cutting the grass nearby. 12 injured were treated at the Osan clinic, while some burn victims were air evacuated to Yongan Army Garrison hospital by helicopter. Six others were treated and then transferred to Kyonggi General Hospital. Five were treated at Osan, then released. (Source: MIG Alley Flyer, 16 Apr 86) One Korean died later bringing the death toll to 16. Numerous acts of bravery were seen that day in fighting the fire and treating the injured. According to the 51st FW Extract – Jan-Jun 1986 History:

A loud explosion rocked Osan and the local community at 1314 hours on 5 April. A 40,000 barrel JP-4 tank (Building 7277) that was approximately 40 percent full exploded causing 15 fatalities and 12 serious injuries. The fire at the fuel tank took place during a fuel transfer operation. The black smoke and orange flames from the explosion and resulting fire were visible for miles around the base. The blaze at the fuel tank had to be fought until 1700 hours, and was not officially determined to be extinguished until 0700 hours the following day. Fire fighters and equipment from Osan, Songtan Si City Fire Department, Suwon, Kunsan, Camp Casey, Camp Market, Camp Red Cloud, Yongsan Army Garrison, Clark AB, Philippines, Yokota AB and Misawa AB, Japan were all involved in fighting the blaze. The 51st FW Disaster Preparedness Division immediately activated the Disaster Response Force and Disaster Preparedness Support team. An on-scene Disaster Control Group was also formed to assist and advise the on-scene commander. Colonel Koz acted as the on-scene commander immediately after the explosion but appointed Colonel William L. Austin, 51st Civil Engineering Squadron commander upon his arrival at the scene. Colonel Koz was the wing commander since Colonel Cochran had departed the base for the PACAF Wing Commander’s Conference at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The 51st Security Police evacuated all buildings endangered by the explosion and established a 2000 foot corridor. The corridor had to be moved several times to compensate for fuel leaking into the draining systems and the associated danger of another explosion taking place.

Medical personnel at Osan responded immediately to the explosion. In fact, one doctor and two technicians arrived on the scene almost immediately. The hospital had an on-site medical care facility established within fifteen minutes, and after only 20 minutes, 80 percent of the hospital staff had reported for duty. Osan medical personnel received assistance from Camp Humphreys, Suwon and 1st Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron located at Pope AFB, North Carolina. The people from Pope at Osan were waiting to return to the United States from Team Spirit. Four Navy corpsman assigned to the 1st Marine Amphibious who were waiting on the flightline for transportation responded immediately to the explosion site. The first ambulance to depart the scene with two seriously injured people went straight to the flight line and a CH-3 “Jolly Green Giant” assigned to the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron had its engines running and ready to depart. Once injured people were placed on board the helicopter, the helicopters departed immediately for the 121st Evacutation Hospital in Seoul.

Winds hampered the efforts of the fire fighters. On different occasions it appeared that the fire had been extinguished, but the winds would arise and renew the flames. So much foam had to be poured on the fire that the area around the fuel tank quickly turned into a muddy field. This mud hampered getting the large fire fighting equipment in and out to fight the blaze, Personnel assigned to the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron “Red Horse”, quickly made an access road for fire equipment. One of the main concerns during the fighting of the fire was the shortage of foam. Foam had to be transported in from different locations from helicopters and dumped straight in the fire trucks. At 1700 hours the fire had been extinguished, but as mentioned it was not offically declared as being completely out until the following day. Fire fighters had to stay on duty for several days after the fire had been put out to ensure it did not erupt again.

Fourteen contractor personnel and one Air Force NCO were killed by the initial blast and the subsequent fire. The NCO killed was Sergeant Enrique J. Lozano who had been assigned to the 51st Supply Squadron. Sergeant Lozano had been working at the fuel tank prior tot he explosion. The Search and Recover (SRT) found the body in the tank five days after the explosion.

Many acts of heroism took place at Osan right after the explosion and during the fighting of the fire. Personnel entered the fire area to and turned off fuel lines to keep the fire from spreading by receiving more fuel. On 7 May General Robert G. Bazley, PACAF Commander, presented medals to 13 Air Force and one Army member for their acts of heroism. The General presented seven Airman Medals and seven Meritorious Service Medals. Those honored by General Bazley are presented on the following page.

AIRMAN MEDALS

SMS Darwin R. Hadrick
Sgt Charles A. Hearn (U.S. Army)
TSgt William A. Carr
SSgt Patrick C. Hanley
Sgt Stanley E. James
SRA Wilbert L. Wright
SRA Laurent R. McDonald

MERITORIOUS SERVICE

Capt Robert L. Ditch
SMS Marshall L. Jones.
MSgt Edward L. Henry
MSgt Lawrence E. Copeland Jr.
MSgt Gerald I. Morrison
MSgt James M. Leonard
TSgt Michael L. Randall

Three receipients of the Airman Medal were unable to attend the ceremony. These individuals were Lieutenant Colonel Edward E. Kirby, Captain Billy R. Betrick, and Staff Sergeant Eddie D. Fowler (U.S. Army). The ceremony for the presentation of the medals took place in front of the 51st Wing Headquarters.
Others were recognized for their acts of bravery. “On 5 April 1986, a 40,000 barrel fuel tank exploded, Airman First Class John A. Loomis distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Osan AB. While off-duty, Airman Loomis assisted victims of the explosion. Ignoring the intense heat from the raging fire and uncertainty that nearby fuel tanks could possibly explode. He medically triaged and treated five victims, then directed the life saving medical actions of five Marine medics who had also responded; all prior to base hospital personnel arriving on the scene. Following their initial treatment, he assisted with the transfer and loading of the victims onto one of his unit뭩 helicopters then flew to the hospital in Seoul, Korea, providing vital emergency medical care throughout the entire medical evacuation flight. Airman Loomis was awarded the Airman’s Medal for his actions.” (Source: www.pjsinnam.com/)

Fuel Tank Explosion (1986)

A memorial marker was erected in memorium of the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic accident — one USAF NCO and 15 Koreans. The mother of Sgt Enrique Lozano was flown in for the ceremony.

Sgt Enrique Lozano
Song Son-Sid
Pae Tok-so
O Tae-kun
Chon Yun-pil
Son Sun-son
Choi Mal-sun
Yi Su-nam
Ho, Chong-ae
Yu, Cho-ho
Pak Yang-hui
Yu Cha-kum
Kim Ok-hui
An O-sun
Pak Sun-ho
Pak Wan-pae

——————————————————————————–

RF-4C Crash at Osan (In Research) Frank Schreier stated in Sep 2005, “Two days before I got to Osan in 1986, an RF-4C crashed during a base exercise – the jet crashed right into the huge concrete hangars, killing (I believe) both pilots. One of my friends told me he was less than 50 feet away from the hangar when he saw the plane coming in, spinning like a Frisbee. It happened so fast and he was so shocked with disbelief that all he could do was stand there and watch as it slammed into the back of the hangar and exploded. Luckily, he was standing in front of the hangar.” (Source: Lost Nomad, Sep 2005.)

Frank wrote in an email in Sep 2005, “It happened 2 days before I arrived here in November of 1986, during a base ORI.” Frank went on to state that he observed the parts being “reassembled” in a hangar as part of the accident investigation. (SITE NOTE: We combed the RF-4C tail number listing and did not come up with any tail number crashing at Osan — but the lists are not infallible. (Source: Joe Baugher Lists: 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, .)

We requested information from the 51st FW, but as of Oct 2005, there was no response. At this time, we hypothesize that the RF-4C was from the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) from the 18th TFW at Kadena. In 1989, the 15th TRS was transferred from the 18th TFW at Kadena to the 406th TRG at Taegu AB in Korea, and was inactivated there the next year.

Two possible reasons for an RF-4C over the base. First, at the time, the RF-4C was sometimes used in ORIs to take surprise photos on a pass over the base. Anyone exposed or trucks caught on film in open areas during the flyover was eliminated from the “play scenarios” as “destroyed.” The second reason is possibly the RF-4C had been on a mission over North Korea and experienced an in-flight emergency with Osan as the closest USAF base to the DMZ. If the mission was classified (incursion into the North), there would be no coverage of mission. At the time, North Korea was engaged in active infiltration with buildups along the DMZ and terrorism (Burma Incident and 1988 bombing of airliner). Item open.)
——————————————————————————–

7th AF
7th AF Moves to Osan The Seventh Air Force relocated to Osan AB on 8 Sep 1986. The 7th AF assumed the duties of maintaining the fragile armistice on the Korean peninsula that the 314 Air Division was responsible for. Since then, 7 AF, as the US Air Force component to the US and ROK Combined Forces Command’s Air Component Command, has been an integral part of deterring aggression from North Korea against the ROK. Headquarters 7th AF consists of approximately 10,000 Air Force personnel located primarily at Osan AB, Kunsan AB, and five other collocated operating bases throughout the Republic of Korea. Air Force personnel fly and maintain the F-16 Falcon and the A/OA-10 Thunderbolt combat aircraft, and perform a myriad of intelligence, logistics, planning, communications, and liaison duties. Although primarily a combat ready command, 7 AF also provides assistance to non-combatants and civilians with the region. Rescue at sea, typhoon evacuations, and medical assistance to the needy are but a few of the instances in which the men and women of the Seventh Air Force have extended an open hand.

Air Component Command of CFC

The commander, Seventh Air Force, is dual-hatted as commander, Combined Air Component Command (CACC). 7th AF, as the US Air Force component to the US and ROK Combined Forces Command’s Air Component Command, has been an integral part of deterring aggression from North Korea against the ROK.

Air Component Command (ACC) — part of the US-Republic of Korea (ROK) Combined Forces Command (CFC) — is the air component of CFC. CFC exercises Combined Delegated Authority over Korean forces responsible for the defense of the Republic of Korea. Should the policy of deterrence fail, CFC would direct combat operations to defeat an enemy attack. These CFC forces are organized into ground, air, naval components and two Major Subordinate Commands, marine and when activated, a special operations command. ACC is responsible for planning and executing the Integrated Tasking Order (ITO). (Source: GlobalSecurity.org)
——————————————————————————–

6903rd ESG Move to KCOIC In 1986, after nearly seven years of planning, the 6903 ESG and other U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) intelligence functions moved into the Korean Combat Operations Intelligence Center (KCOIC). Despite several significant problems with the KCOIC construction project, the relocation of 6903 ESG mission assets from Hill 170 to the KCOIC began, as scheduled, on 1 October 1986. By 1 November 1986, all mission equipment and support functions were fully operational, well before the 10 December 1986 IOC date previously planned. (Source: AF Intelligence Service)
——————————————————————————–

Family Support Center Opens at Osan Osan Air Base Family Support Center opened in September 1986. It was the most forward deployed Family Support Center in the world. Osan Family Support Flight has a direct wartime mission in executing Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO). (Source: AFPC, Randolph AFB.) In 1986 Ms. Renee Wesley-Case became the Director of the Family Support Center at Osan AB, Korea.
——————————————————————————–

Murder in Anjung-ni According to the Pyeongtaek History, on 14 Feb 1986, Michael Way How (?) strangled Chong He (16). Circumstances and outcome of the incident is unknown. However, because it was a serious crime, the Korean National Police would have retained jurisdiction, though the individual would remain in US custody until the final verdict of the Korean courts. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, “Pyeongtaek Si Sa.”)
——————————————————————————–

Ronald Reagan elected to second term as President JCS General Charles Garbriel and his successor General Larry Welch would engage in some of the most farsighted — and in many ways most difficult — planning in Air Force history. They recognized far in advance of others, including other branches of the American armed forces, that the combination of a failing Soviet Union and the inevitable downward revision of military budgets meant that the Air Force would have to be reduced in size. They made a decision to sacrifice force structure for modernization and quality. The success of their efforts are still apparent today. (Source: Beyond the Wild Blue, History of the US Air Force 1947-1997, Walter J. Boyne, p251)

The Air Force leadership came up with some hard rules that would be difficult to implement, but were essential to the future:
1. Air superiority had to earned immediately; tgadualism was the path to disaster.
Air superiortiy, given the expected budget limitations, could be gained only by huge investment in technology.
3. Significant components of that technology had to be revolutionary rather than evolutionary.
In the interim, much existing equipment had to be upgraded by modification rather than replaced.
5. The Vietnam concept of using large numbers of aircraft, each with a relatively low lethality, was wrong, as the Paul Doumer and Than Hoa bridges had conclusively proved.
6. A grinding approach to victory was not politically sustainable. If war came, it had to be foungth immediately and won conclusively.
The enemy must never be given time to recover after the first attack. Sufficient aircraft and equipment must be available to do the job, and the civilian leaders must be persuaded to abstatin from political gimmicks such as bombing halts.

Another lesson learned from Vietnam was the absolute requirement not to undertake any campaign not backed by the will of the American people. Within the military there were may additional subsets of lessons learned reagarding the requirements for individual weapons, intelligence gathering and air transport of men supplies supported these fundamentals, materializing in the new first-generation weapons systems (F-15, F-16, A-10, B-1B, EF-111A) and Second Generation (F-117A, B-2, C-17A, E-8, F-22A) that were to come — and the maintenance of old standbys (B-52, F-111, SR-71, U-2, and Minuteman III). (Source: Beyond the Wild Blue, History of the US Air Force 1947-1997, Walter J. Boyne, pp255-256, pp260-261)
——————————————————————————–

Korean Conscription In Korea, the military conscription programs continued to be a hot potato. Standby reservists service term was extended from 14 months to 18 months and the enlistment system was improved. However, there were still claims of corruption within the system. The Katusa who were supposed to be the “best of the best” were thought to only rich kids by the Americans who worked with them. Complaints in Korea were that the rich were sending their kids America for their education to evade the draft. In addition there were many accusations that the rich were getting medical deferments if their fathers were rich or had political connections. This was all swept under the carpet, but in the 1990s it would explode in everyone’s faces as the allegations were true.
——————————————————————————–

ROK Developments In January 1986, the North suspended all talks, arguing that annual R.O.K.-U.S. military exercises were inconsistent with dialogue. The North resumed its own large-scale exercises in 1987.

Ugrade of the ROK military hardware continued. The first launching ceremony of domestically-produced minesweepers happened in August 30, 1986. It should be noted that the letting of the contracts to the Korean shipyards was also in response to the falling orders for ships from the yards. Many were in dire straits financially. There was a continuing decrease in international orders for tankers and the Korean government laid contracts for more military ships. The ultimate goal was to achieve the Korean dream of becoming a “blue water” navy like Japan.

The ROKAF formally accepted delivery of its first F-16D in March, becoming the 10th nation to fly the Fighting Falcon and the first outside the Unites States to receive the advanced F-16C/D.
——————————————————————————–

Pyeongtaek Harbor Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal opens (1 Nov 1986). (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)

——————————————————————————–

1987
Songtan-shi grows as areas incorporated into Seojong-dong January 1, 1987: Goryeom-ri, Yanggam-myeon, Hwaseong-gun was incorporated into Cheongbuk-myeon, and part of Jeokbong-ri, Seotan-myeon, Pyeongtaek-gun was incorporated into Seojeong-dong, Songtan-si respectively by Presidential Decree No. 12007 (Promulgated December 23, 1986)
——————————————————————————–

F-4E Accident in PI On 28 Feb 1987 an F-4E tail number 551 skidded off the runway at Clark AB and received extensive damage. It was subsequently repaired and returned to the Fiends. (Source: 36th Fiends History.)

Frank Schreier stated, “We were in the Philippines for a 30-day Cope Thunder exercise and on one of the last days, tail number 551 (One of the pics I still have, another can be seen here) slid off the runway. To the joy of various maintenance personnel, a team had to stay behind to help repair the jet.” (Source: Lost Nomad: Sep 2005.)

36th TFS F-4E Cope Thunder PI (1987) (Frank Schreier)

36th TFS F-4E Cope Thunder PI (1987) (Frank Schreier)

36th TFS F-4E Cope Thunder PI (1987) (Frank Schreier)

36th TFS F-4E Cope Thunder PI (1987) (Frank Schreier)

Osan A-10 Warthog at Clark AFB, PI (1987) (Frank Schreier)

Osan OV-10A Bronco at Osan (1987) (Frank Schreier)

——————————————————————————–

North Korea Bombs Korean Airliner: A Korean airliner, a Boeing 707, was bombed by a North Korean agent (Kim Hyun Hee) and crashed over the Andaman Sea. The male accomplice of Kim committed suicide, but Kim was returned to Korea and tried and convicted. Masterminded by the future leader of North Korea, the bombing was to create a scare within the world to keep people from attending the Seoul Olympics to be held the following year. As a footnote, she repented her crime and was released from prison. Kim went on to write a book that made her a millionaire…an ironic end to a ghastly crime. She even applied to go to America with her new found wealth — but was turned down.
——————————————————————————–

1988

Songbuk Elementary School (1988) (Songbuk Elementary School) (NOTE: The buildings are now three-story structure. The central speakers platform between bleachers constructed in 1984 and now has a frame for canvas. Picture taken near entrance with statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin.)

Education On 10 Oct 1988, the Taegwang High School had 15 normal classes and 15 commerce classes for their students. However, the class sizes were decreasing. By 18 Sep 1990, the Taegwang High School operated 12 normal classes and 12 commerce classes, with 6 classes for completer information management. This reflected the declining family sizes throughout the ROK that impacted all the schools nationwide.

A gradual increase in enrollment over the years created a need for additional space. Construction was completed in December 1988 on a two-story addition with 12 classrooms, a cafeteria, specialists?rooms and storage areas. (Source: Osan American Elementary School)
——————————————————————————–

Living on the Economy A Soldier’s Tour of Korea tells the tale of a soldier living in Anjung-ni (Camp Humphrys) on the economy. Life at Osan outside the gates was the same. He mentioned that once when landing at Osan, the Koreans were protesting and that Osan Air Base was locked down — he had to be bussed to Yongsan to be processed back into the country. A lot of cars had been repeatedly recycled from one service person to the next. Some people shipped their personal vehicles over from the states, while some people purchased brand new automobiles through AAFES or new motorcycles from Harley Davidson.

Of Osan, he stated: “Around this time, going to Osan was almost as good as going to Yongsan. Osan had everything: the big PX, the big Commissary, the chow hall with wall-to-wall carpeting. Songtan, the town outside the gate, was awesome compared with our little ville. I bought my first pair of contact lenses in Songtan. I didn’t handle them properly so they didn’t last long, but that was the beginning.”

From Main Gate to Burger King (1988) (Unknown)

Near Burger King (1988) (Unknown)

Commissary (1988) (Unknown)
Of life off-base at Anjung-ni, he stated:

Of course it has been a while since I was living in Anjong-ri. Heat in winter and hot water are important. My apartment had a bathroom and bath tub but no hot water. After PT I took a shower in the barracks like everyone else. My apartment came with a medium sized refrigerator. The living room and bedroom were raised slightly so you had to step up from the kitchen. The bedroom was just large enough for a queen size futon on the floor, or a bed if I had one. I purchased a propane tank that lasted about 3 months under normal use. Bought a table top cooking range with four burners. There was already a place for it in the kitchen. A little tube ran from the propane tank outside into the house. When I wanted a bath I use to heat up hot water on the range. This wasted a lot of gas but I had to do it.

Electricity was no problem. T.V. was no problem. There was one American station, AFKN, and a few Korean ones. Since I don’t speak Korean, my girlfriend had the phone service turned on and I bought a Princess phone from the PX.

I took off my shoes before entering the apartment always.

Didn’t stay long enough to go through winter, but I know that the standard heating system is Ondol under-floor heating. The corner grocery store was extremely convenient. There’s also the market in Pyongtaek. If you like a big Comissary then Osan Air Force Base is the place to go.

——————————————————————————–
Seoul Olympics Seoul hosted the Olympics and the attitude of the entire country changed overnight into one of ambassadors of goodwill. Venues were spread throughout the country to accomodate the interests of local governments and promote the tourism industry. In a gesture of goodwill, the Seoul government offered North Korea one of the ping-pong matches because of the late date. North Korea refused and there were worries that it might attempt an act to disrupt the games in retaliation as it had done in 1987 with the bombing of an airliner. A small number of F-4E aircraft at Osan and F-16C at Kunsan were placed on alert in event of this eventuality starting around 15 Sep 1988.

36th TFS aircraft escorts TU-16 Badger off the coast of Korea ( 36th Fiends site)

Just prior to the Olympic Games Russian Badgers started to fly down the coastline of Korea to test the capabilities of the US/ROK Air Forces. The Russian bombers would fly just inside international waters and the ROK and USAF jets would scramble to intercept the bombers. It was not a surveillance flight as the Russian satellite passed over Korea every 45 minutes — so these flights were simply nuisance flights to test the US and ROK resources dedicated during the Olympic games.
——————————————————————————–

36th TFS Developments
On 7-14 Oct 1988 Osan’s runway closes for repairs. The 36 TFS deploys to Kadena.
Between 24-26 Oct 1988, ORE Beverly Midnight 88-6 was conducted.
On 7 Nov 1988 Valiant Blitz 89-1 involved 36 TFS crews and pilots flying close air support, DACT, and night intercept sorties with US Marine and Navy aircraft plus ROK Navy and Marine surface ships and ground personnel.
On 21 Dec 1988, the first F-16 pilot “checkride” conducted by the 51 TFW Stan/Eval. This is in preparation for transitioning to F-16s.

(Source: 36th Fiends History.)
——————————————————————————–

ROK Developments With the beginning of the new democratization process in South Korea from 1987, with a new constitution and president as well as the successful Summer Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988, a new attempt to change the situation was initiated by the South. The democratically elected president of the South, Roh Tae-woo, started to loosen its hard anti-communist policy and initiated a new foreign and security policy called Nordpolitik. South Korea not only normalized its diplomatic relations with communist Eastern bloc countries including the Soviet Union but also improved commercial ties despite strong diplomatic pressures from the North, and it also tried to normalize relations with the North.

In July 1988, South Korean President Roh Tae Woo called for new efforts to promote exchanges, family reunification, inter-Korean trade, and contact in international fora. President Roh called on Korea’s friends and allies to pursue contacts with the North and said that the South intended to seek better relations with the U.S.S.R. and China. The two sides then met several times at Panmunjom in an unsuccessful attempt to arrange a joint meeting of the two Korean parliaments.

——————————————————————————–

1989
Osan-eup becomes Osan City (Jan 89) Throughout the history of Songtan, there have been three “towns” — Osan-ni, Songtan-eup, and Pyeongtaek-eup. Osan-city used to be called Mosukuk in the Samhan Age. Maehol-kun in the Gogurye Age, and Susung-gun in Silla times. Its administrative name was changed to Osan-myeon, Suwon-gun on October 1, 1941 and Osan-eup, Whasung-gun on January 1, 1960. In 1949, Suwon became a city and loomed as the “big city” of the area. In June 10, 1970, Hwaseong-gun’s government buildings were newly built in Osan-eup and moved there from Suwon-eup.

Over the years, Songtan grew in size to become Songtan-shi (Songtan City) in 1981, while Osan and Pyeongtaek remained “towns.” However, Songtan was a “one-horse” economy based on Osan AB and the populace was concentrated within 1km of the base. There was no diversity.

When the Miracle of the Han arrived in the area, the industrial parks were started in Osan (mid-1980s) and Pyeongtaek (early 1980s). Soon the industrial growth of the two areas outstripped Songtan. Pyeongtaek-gun was incorporated into Pyeongtaek and it became Pyeongtaek City.

Osan-eup grew as well and became Osan-city on January 1, 1989 when its population had grown to over 55,000. (One eup (town) and 15 myeons (districts).)

(NOTE: Its administrative precinct covers 42.752km2 and is composed of 6 dongs, 178 tongs, and 959 bans (dong, tong, and ban are names of administrative precinct units in Korea) Its population is 114,540 as of the end of 2001.) (Source: Osan City.)

Thus in 1989, there now stood three “equal” cities in the local area: Osan, Songtan and Pyeongtaek. In two years, Pyeongtaek would incorporate Songtan — and Songtan City would become a memory, while Osan continued to grow on a modest scale.

——————————————————————————–
Team Spirit 89 Between 14-23 Mar 1989, Team Spirit ’89 was held.
——————————————————————————–

F-4E 497th TFS Leaves Taegu (Jan 1989) According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency, when the 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) absorbed the 497th TFS it reassumed control of Taegu AB. The 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) was renamed the 51st TFW in July 1982. The 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron remained with the 51st TFW from 1 Jan 1982 to 24 Jan 1989.

Wayne Hoff, SMSgt, USAF (Ret), of Tacoma, Washington was at Taegu from May 84 to Sep 90. He wrote in 2001, “Yes, it was the 497th TFS (Hooters) when we had F4E’s. The maintenance outfit was the 6497th CAMS (Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron). Taegu was truly my best assignment in my 20 years. I think there was a total of 700 USAF at K-2. Very small USAF contingent and we were integrated with the ROKAF up to 1988. We shut down in 88 and began transferring our F4-E’s to the ROKAF and 3rd TFW at Clark. Once we got everything transferred we were closing equipment accounts, transferring needed items to Osan.”

NOTE: 497th Combat Training Squadron of Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore is the lineal descendant of the “Hooters.” Accordng to the site, “Due to the restructuring of the command following the closure of Clark Air Base, the 497th’s designation changed to the 497th Fighter Training Squadron. The 497th has a rich combat history since its conception in January of 1942 as the 302nd Bombardment Squadron (light). The name changed to the 497th Fighter Bomber Squadron in 1943 and has since gone through many mission changes. The unit first moved to PACAF in December 1965 as part of the 8th TFW based in Ubon, Thailand and for the next 8 years flew combat sorties throughout Southeast Asia. The 497th was the pioneer unit in flying night missions and developed the tactics used during “Night Owl” interdiction missions. The unit deactivated in 1974 when the 8th TFW moved to Kunsan AB, ROK only to be reactivated four years later at Taegu AB, ROK where the unit stayed until its deactivation and mothballing in 1988. The 497th Fighter Training Squadron was once again reactivated on 31 October 1991 and was redesignated as the 497th Combat Training Squadron on 1 August 1994. The unit has two main work areas in Singapore. Aircraft operations and maintenance support functions are conducted at Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB), while typical base support functions are carried out at the squadron headquarters located in Sembawang. The headquarters staff support offices are located in the headquarters building at the Port of Singapore Authority Sembawang Terminal.”

——————————————————————————–

RF-4C of 15th TRS, 460th TRG Arrives at Taegu (Oct 1989) The 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) from the 18th TFW at Kadena was moved to Taegu AB (K-2) on 1 October 1989. It was aligned under the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (TRG) which was reactivated on 1 Oct 1989. The unit lasted only one year and was deactivated on 1 October 1990. Frank Schreier stated in Sep 2005, “…Did you know that in Spring of 1989, the RF-4C squadron was moved down to Taegu? I know, because I was one of the unlucky folks who had to PCS with them.” Thus we know that personnel were being assigned to Taegu as part of the RF-4C conversion prior to the official October 1989 assignment date.

Wayne Hoff, SMSgt, USAF (Ret), of Tacoma, Washington was at Taegu from May 84 to Sep 90. He wrote in 2001, “Then HQ PACAF had a great idea to put RF-4C’s at Taegu. So they pumped a lot of money into our facilities, we went out on scrounging missions to Osan, Kimhae, Kunsan and Kwangju to get back some F-4 support equipment. Then they came in and put 24 Rekke’s at K-2. We were no longer integrated with the ROKAF and became solely an American outfit.” (NOTE: The 497th TRS “Night Owls” F-4Es were integrated with the ROKAF in a training/technical interface role. It departed K-2 in Jan 1989,)

“At that time our squadron changed to the 460th Recon. Sqd. and our Maintenance sqd changed to the 460th CAMS. We spun up the Rekke outfit for just over a year, then in late 1989 HQ PACAF again decided we no longer needed RF-4C’s. So we shut down again. This time for good.”

History: The 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group of Taegu AB (K2) traced its lineage to the 460th TRW assigned to Ton Son Nhut AB, RSVN in February 1966 and inactivated in August 1971. It was reactivated on 1 Oct 1989 as the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (TRG) at Taegu AB, ROK and assumed control of the 15th TRS. The 15th TRS (Tail code: GU/tail color: Black & Yellow) was moved from the 18th TFW at Kadena and relocated to Taegu on 1 Oct 1989. The 460th TRG was deactivated on 1 Oct 1990 along with the 15th TRS. The 15th TRS was reactivated at Hickam AFB, Hawaii on 15 March 1991 and inactivated on 1 June 1994. It was reactivated at Nellis AFB, Nevada, 1 August 1997 with RQ-1A Predator (UAV), a long endurance, medium altitude unmanned aircraft system for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and remains at Nellis until the present. The 15th TRS traces its history back to 1917 flying DH-4 Liberty aircraft.
Wayne added, “I was going to stay one more year and run transit alert at Taegu but I let my Maintenance Officer talk me out of it (stupid mistake). So I left in Sep 90. I had it made there. Was Command Sponsored the entire time and lived in base housing across town at Camp George (apartments similar to the ones on Osan, with Taegu American school right across the street from my house, K-12 grades). I really hated to leave Taegu and have often considered going back there some day to finish out my life. Still may someday. If someone came to the 6497th CAMS during my time there, I probably knew them as I ran QC/QA and was on the base CVI Team for 5 years and did countless evaluations. There were only 5 of us in QA so pretty much everybody would meet us eventually. Only folks I didn’t run across a lot was our AMMO folks, but there were only 40 of them and I did know quite a few of them.

“When we got the Rekke’s I became a APG Flight Chief for a short period of time then I was moved up and was the NCOIC of the AMU because I had a lot of “tribal knowledge” and could make things happen and get things done. I was offered the opportunity to go to Taegu when it opened in 78 from Kunsan and turned it down. Looking back, I missed a great opportunity. They wanted to take 2 people from the Phase Docks and I was the first asked to go and I thought it over for a few days and decided to say no (stupid me).”
——————————————————————————–

Taegu Shuts Down Taegu stopped being an active base in 1989.

In 1992 the US government changed the status of three US air bases in Korea. Kwang Ju Air Base, Suwon Air Base and Taegu Air Base — previously announced as ending operations — would instead operate at reduced levels. There is a small BX/Shoppette, snack bar, gym and other typical amenities available. The commissary is at Camp Walker (8 miles and 30 minutes drive across town). There is no dining facility and all personnel receive BAS. Along with the Korean Air Force (ROKAF), there are 110-120 army personnel stationed here. The units occupy the base뭩 fenced-off U.S. compound, also known as K-2, a South Korean Air Force installation that shares space with commercial Taegu Airport. In wartime, K-2 would “balloon” into a full-scale combat air base that would house a U.S. Air Force fighter wing. Besides combat aircraft, planeload after planeload would touch down at K-2 and disgorge the Air Force troops and equipment needed to set up and staff that wing. Pilots, medics and mechanics, the full spectrum of air wing personnel slots, would arrive. The 51st Fighter Wing, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, maintains and administers US operations at Osan and five collocated operating bases — Taegu, Suwon, Kwang Ju, Kimhae and Cheong Ju ?for reception and beddown of follow-on forces. The Wing’s 51st Logistics Support Squadron plans, programs and initiates actions for the rapid reception and beddown of US forces deploying to the Republic of Korea during contingencies or wartime by maintaining five collocated operating bases and seven munitions storage sites. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org

——————————————————————————–

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

19th TASS moves to Suwon AB The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS) under the 5th Tactical Air Control Group flying the OV-10A Broncos relocated from Osan AB to Suwon AB on 1 Aug 1989. Ultimately, the unit would be 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. (Source: AFHRA: 19th WS.)
——————————————————————————–

F-16C #90743 in front of Hardened Aircraft Shelter (HAS)

36th TFS Converts to F-16C/D Received first Block 30 F-16C/Ds in January 1989. On 15 Apr 1989, the F-16C/D conversion complete. On 30 Aug 1989, the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron’s hardened operations facility was completed and the squadron occupied its new office and training space, vacating Building 1185. On 2 Nov 1989, the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron conducted a 101 sortie surge. (Source: 36th Fiends History. See General Dynamics F-16 Info for aircraft info.)

Baugher Site: F-16 states the first deliveries to the 8th TFW at Kunsan in South Korea took place in September of 1981. The 8th TFW at Kunsan had the 35th and 80th TFS re-equipped with F-16s, which replaced the F-4D Phantom. This marked the first American F-16 base overseas. This modernization program was aimed in part to compensate for US troop drawdowns that had taken place in South Korea during the Carter Administration. The site states that TWO squadrons went to 51st TFW in the “late 1980s.” This is because the intial F-16Cs were sent to the 8th TFW. According to the site, the 36th TFS “received first Block 30 F-16C/Ds in January 1989. Received new LANTIRN-equipped F-16C Block 42 aircraft in June 1990. These are equipped with the F100-PW-220 engine. Initial batch of F-16Cs transferred to 8th TFW at Kunsan. In October 1990, became 51st Fighter Wing. Also has a squadron of A-10s and a C-12J squadron.”

According to F-16 Net: “The PACAF units are mostly equipped with block 40/42 and 50/52 aircraft. These aircraft will be upgraded with the CCIP (Common Configuration Implementation Program) enhancement, just like their stateside counterparts. This modification incorporates a number of systems originally designed for the European MLU program into the existing fleet of USAF Block 40/42/50/52 aircraft. This program started in 1998. The CCIP configuration includes the following systems: Modular Mission Computer, Color Multifunction Display Set, Common Data Entry Electronics Unit, Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), Link 16 Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS), and Low Volume Terminal with TACAN. This modification will allow cost savings through a common type certification and stock savings. This will greatly enhance the fleet’s flexibility.”
——————————————————————————–

F-16C #7251 Crash (19 Dec 1989) (36th Fiends site)

F-16 Crash Landing On 19 Dec 1989, F-16C #7251 landed gear up on Osan’s runway following an engine flameout due to a trapped fuel situation. (Source: 36th Fiends History.)
——————————————————————————–

25th TFS Relocated to Osan AB The 25th Tactical Fighter Squadon, “Assam Dragons,” flying A-10A Thunderbolts reassigned to Osan AB after the closure of Suwon AB as an active USAF base from about 10 Nov 1989 – 31 Jul 1990. The unit was inactivated on 31 Jul 1990.

——————————————————————————–

Third U2 deploys to Osan In December 1989, the third U-2 was deployed to Osan AB, Republic of Korea. (Source: AF Intelligence Service)
——————————————————————————–

Copyright Infringement and Piracy: During this late 1980s, Korean was on the USTR (U.S. Trade Representative) “Watch List” because Korea was noted for its piracy of copyrights — and exporting of the manufactured goods under copyright infringement to third world countries. There still was not a GATT treaty or World Trade Organization (WTO) at this time. Asia — and Korea in particular — was known as a rip-off capital with the police and other government agencies turning a blind-eye at home and a deaf-ear to international protests. Protectionism in Korea was the law — and most large US companies were very reluctant to trust Korea’s word.

However, to the GI shopping for bargains, it was a paradise. Gucchi bag rip-offs and “designer” clothes with fake trademark logos were everywhere. Downtown there were shops that specialized in copying tapes and later CDs. Ripoff copies of $200 computer programs could be had for $5. Though it was against the law to send any of this stuff stateside, a GI stationed in Korea during this period would have to be crazy to not avail himself of these bargains.

Regardless of this copyright infringement dispute, the ripoff designs continued to be sold at the Shinjang Shopping mall attracting military shoppers from all over. In response the base Postal Services increased their warnings of the sending of these items would be confiscated, if sent by US Postal services.
——————————————————————————–

Miracle of the Han The rapid growth of South Korea’s economy in the late 1980s led to significant increases in exports and imports. In the wake of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, South Korea’s trade surplus exceeded US$11 billion and foreign exchange revenue had increased sharply. Seoul’s trade with communist countries surged in 1988. Trade with Eastern Europe was US$215 million, trade with China almost US$1.8 billion, and trade with the Soviet Union US$204 million.

In 1989 total exports grew to US$74.29 billion, and imports totaled US$67.21 billion. South Korea’s annual trade exceeded US$100 billion for the first time in 1988, making it the world’s tenth largest trading nation.

Because this there was a rapid expansion outside of Seoul as the need for factories grew. As a result, in the Pyongtaek area, there was a significant number of factories that were relocated to industrial parks specially constructed for expanding factories. (See 1990: “ROK offers Incentives for Songtan Industrial Complex (Mokgok-dong)”)

The spin off is that with the increase in factories came an increase in jobs and need for apartments. Thus a construction boom occurred. At first it was small scale in reclaiming rice fields and swampy land near to the major highways for “low-rise structures” (10 story apartment complexes). However , soon large scale apartment complexes were planned throughout the Pyongtaek area.