15th TRS, 18th TFW

• Det 1 of 6922nd RGM Osan AB KOR (? 1953 to ???)
• 6929 RGM Osan AB KOR (Oct 1958 to July 1963).
• 6929 S.S. Osan AB KOR (July 1963 to April 1970).
• Det 1 Osan AB K-55 KOR (at least 1967 to 1970) of the 6922 S.W. Clark AFB PI (1 July 1965 to July 1974).
• Det 1 Osan AB KOR (1968 to 1970) under the 6988 S.S. Yokota AB, JPN (Mar 1962 to 1972).
• 6903 S.S. Osan AB KOR (May 1970 to 1 Aug 1979).
• 6903 E.S.G. Osan AB KOR (1 Aug 1979 to 1 Oct 1993).
• 303rd Intel Sqdn Osan AB KOR (1 Oct 1993 to present).

6903rd SS on Hill 170

Intercity Bus (1971) (Edward Caler)

Mountains after Taejon descending into Kunsan (1971) (Edward Caler)

Mountains after Taejon descending into Kunsan (1971) (Edward Caler)

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)

This cluster of buildings was left by the 5th AF Headquarters when they left in Sept 1955. It was passed to the 58th FBW and then to the 58th ABG and finally to the 6314th ABW in the mid-1960s. Edward Caler of San Mateo, CA stated, "... the fire was on the headquarters was started making a fire exit. A Korean told the GI not to put the door on the Quonset Hut. But, the GI told him he was in charge and told him to do it. The Bulldozer never went through. (See statement in Stars and Stripes story above) The driver told a Col. that he could save the Headquarters by going through the Middle. the Col. told him, the GI, that it would be saved. The only thing was saved was one small part of the headquarters. The next week, they found a 5 gallon can of Kersone next to the headquaters across the street. thought someone was going to set that on fire. All it was was that someone left it outside. During the fire M16 bullets were going off around us -- as I was one of the ones fighting the fire too." Edward was part of the 6314th Transron -- also known as the 2nd Mule Train or "muleskinners." He stated "I was with the transportation sq. Across from the Airmans club."

Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)	Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)
Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)	Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)
Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)	Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)
Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)	Major Fire at Wing HQ (1971) (Edward Caler)

(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" officially had not been used since 1962 when Songtan became Songtan-eup or a town. However, Edward Caler of San Mateo CA stated "When I left in 1973 Chico Village was still called chico Village." Others confirm that the Songtan area was referred to as "Chicol Village" or "Chicoville." On the other hand, Kalani O'Sullivan remembers that when he first came TDY to Osan in 1974 from Yokota AB, Japan, it was referred to only as "Songtan" by everyone -- including the store owners on the tags of they sewed onto tailor-made garments.

In addition, in June 1962, by joint action, the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Social Welfare and related agencies established 104 "special districts" of prostitution -- and the "Songtan Special Tourism Zone" was born. Interviews with local Korean merchants by Kalani O'Sullivan in 2005-2006 revealed that the term "Chicol-ni" (Chicol Village) disappeared when "Songtan" became a "town" (eup). The name of Songtan-eup was preferred because of its elevated status. Remember that the entire area was called Songtan as 70 percent of the population lived within 5km of the Main Gate and it was estimated that 80 percent of the income for the area came from the base directly or indirectly from the bar trade. However, from Edward's recollection (and the Stars and Stripes article), we must assume that the old name of Chicol-ni was still used by base personnel. Enough people have mentioned this that we now wonder when the name "Chicol-ni" actually stopped being used.)

Tom Utts, then with Public Affairs at Hickam AFB, wrote, "Of course the new buildings were better, air conditioned, 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."

(L) Bldg that Taekwondo was practiced on base (R) The 6134th Transron and then 51st Transportation Squadron area (1971) (Edward Caler)

Antenna Hill (1971) (EUSA photo) (Source: 1st Signal Brigade Site.)

Osan Bucket Site Antenna (9 Oct 1963) (EUSA photo) (Source: 1st Signal Brigade Site.)

Osan Bucket Site South View (9 Oct 1963) (EUSA photo) (Source: 1st Signal Brigade Site.) (NOTE: The Korean War POL tanks in the photo were disassembled in the 1990s.)

36th TFS Moves to Osan and SIOP Nuclear Alert Commitment

(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.)

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.)

• (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 Kunsan AB 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 -- the 354th ABW at Kunsan AB was manned with F-100s from the Air National Guard as a left over of the Pueblo Crisis. Then there was the problems dealing with expanding the base infrastructure to accommodate a full wing -- namely there were no arches to bed down the aircraft. (See Kunsan AB History.)
  
  (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 Not Enough Kunsan arches (SPECULATION) 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.
  
  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. The 347th TFW was supposedly transferring THREE squadrons of F-4Cs to Kadena, but only TWO squadrons were going to be formed (44th and 67th TFS) at Kadena. This meant that one of the three 347th TFW squadrons was going to have to remain an F-4C squadron.
  
  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. On 15 February 1971, shortly after its twenty-ninth anniversary, the 80th TFS 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. 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.
  
  (SPECULATION) The 80th TFS, 347th TFW had ALL the PACAF F-4C Wild Weasels and all its assets would go to Kadena to form a new squadron. This left the 35th and 36th. One squadron was going to have to be left as an F-4C unit -- while the other two Kunsan squadrons converted to F-4Ds with the 354th TFW assets. The odd-man-out happened to be the 36th TFS. The 80th won out and its F-4C Wild Weasel equipment was sent to Kadena. The remaining squadron worth of F-4C support equipment from the 347th TFW was retained for the 36th at Osan. F-4D support equipment from the 354th of Misawa that had been temporarily transferred to the 54th TFW (a paper wing to handle the transfers of equipment) -- and then was sent to the 3rd TFW at Kunsan.
  
  On 16 Feb 1971 with the transfer of the 35th to the 3rd TFW, the 36th was the last remaining squadron in the 347th TFW to support the Det 1, 347th TFW. However, in early 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. (SITE NOTE: Hal Flynt, a former pilot of the 36th TFS wrote in Aug 2007 that his last flight was "My last F4 flight; Osan AB to Yokota AB, Feb 28, 1971" meaning the runway was still open up to Mar 1971.) Then there was the pending runway construction to extend the south end by 2000 yards lasting till Oct 1971.
  
  In early 1971, Det 1, 347th TFW was sent to open up an alert pad at Kunsan. It took 12 flatbed trucks to haul the equipment to Kunsan. From Kunsan, the Det 1, 347th TFW maintained alert duties while Kunsan was getting operationally ready. On 11 Mar 1971 the 36th TFS divided into two sections (A & B) and began alternating deployments to the Kunsan FOL with the deployments lasting 15 days in support of the Det 1, 347th TFW. In Mar 1971, Section A was in place in Kunsan and assumed alert duties. Section B was at a Forward Operating Location (FOL). (Source: 36th TFS Squadron History, p20) Though it implies that the FOL was at Osan, this does not jibe with Det 1, 347th TFW moving its support equipment to Kunsan. (Source: Kiyomi Noriye: "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. ") The runway at Osan was closing. Thus there is a question as to where the "FOL" was. There are two possibilities, but the most likely is that Section A was handling the air defense alert role at Kunsan in Mar 1971, while Section B was handling the SIOP commitment also at Kunsan. (SITE NOTE: Up until Feb 1971, 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. Starting in Mar 1971, the 36th TFS, Section A picked up the SIOP commitment.)
  
  On 2 Apr 1971, Section A was in place in the "FOL" at Kunsan and took over the SIOP commitment, while Section B returned to Yokota. Following the pattern of 15-day TDYs, Section B relieved Section A on 15 Apr 1971. In May it was reported that "Flighttime requirements were filled early in anticipation of the 36th's move to Kunsan AB. Training requirements were especially difficult because the nearest nuclear and conventional ranges was near Osan AB." (Source: 36th TFS Squadron History, p20)
  
  On 15 May 1971 the 36th TFS was officially reassigned to the 3rd TFW -- ending the 347th TFW's association with the squadrons. At this point, the Det 1, 347th F-4C equipment was moved to Taegu for the aircraft that were coming into Taegu from Kadena on TDY. Supposedly several 40-foot flatbed trucks were required to relocate this equipment to Taegu. Personnel of the Det were directed to leave the equipment and return to Yokota for reassignment.
  
  

  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 Kunsan by Det 1, 347th TFW 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 (1960s)/"B" F-4Cs (1960-1970s)/"C" F-105s (1960-1970s)/"D" F-100s (1960-1970s)).)
  
  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 understand 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 to support the Kunsan transition to F-4Ds while pulling the alert duties.)

  Though the equipment was on the 347th inventory, it belonged to the 18th TFW at Kadena where two squadrons of F-4Cs were headed. Thus relocating the equipment to Taegu would seem reasonable as the equipment would be picked by Kadena after the TDY. (SITE NOTE: At this point we have questions as to where the 36th TFS obtained its F-4C support equipment as the Det 1, 347th TFW F-4C support equipment was moved to Taegu to support the TDYs from Kadena. It would seem a great waste of manpower and monies to transfer the F-4C equipment to Kadena and then retransfer it to Osan -- or have the fills of the Table of Allowances (TA) to come from stateside. There is something missing in this movement, but we do not have the pieces. Why did Kadena need THREE F-4C squadrons' support equipment when it was only going to form TWO squadrons? Where did the 36th TFS get its support equipment to set up operations at Kunsan? It would seem more logical to leave the equipment in country -- as it was already in use to support the 36th TFS -- than to ship it to Taegu and leave it for the use of Kadena TDYs, while reshipping F-4C support equipment back to Osan from Kadena -- or from the states to fill the TA for the 36th TFS. For this, we do not have an answer.)
• (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 mid-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). The SIOP alert at Kunsan was performed by the Det 1, 475th TFW -- and they were shutting down their operations. 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. The people of Det 1, 347th TFW -- with the use of Section A, 36th TFS -- were to pull the alerts starting in Feb 1971 with their F-4C aircraft while the 35th and 80th TFS qualified on the F-4D aircraft. The people of the Det 1, 347th TFW simply replaced the Det 1, 475th people's accomodations temporarily until the 8th could pick up the commitment. After the 8th took over Kunsan AB, the SIOP commitment was switched to the 18th TFW in Kadena.
  
  

  
  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 13–19 Dec 1970 and 1–15 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 10–22 Jan 1971 and 5–15 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.
  
  In Jan 2007 Howard Spicer of Northfield, NH wrote: "Was stationed at Yokota AB with 80th TFS Jan. 70 to May 71. Made 3 TDYs to Osan and 1 to Kunsan. Worked as F4 crew chief, many long hours on flightline or alert pad. Made some good friends and had good times in town. Saw Bob Hope in 70. Remember being cold but show was awesume. Left Yokota May of 71 and finished my tour at Kadena."
  
  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.)
  
  

  
  36th FS

  
  
  After Oct 1974, the 8th TFW and 51st CW missions were primary air-defense, secondary air-to-ground support and tertiary being the SIOP commitment.
  
  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 LEFT THE 35TH AND 80TH AT KUNSAN WITH F-4Ds IN MAR 1971. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OSAN'S RUNWAY IS OUT, THE 36th CANNOT MOVE TO OSAN UNTIL OCT 1971 -- AND FINALLY MOVES TO OSAN PULLING SINGLE INTEGRATED OPERATIONS PLAN (SIOP) NUCLEAR ALERTS IN THE DIAMOND AREA WITH F-4Cs. IT WOULD TRANSITION TO F-4Ds IN 1972. IN THE END, THE 35TH/80TH TFS PICK UP DET 1, 475TH'S SIOP COMMITMENT AND 36TH TFS PICKS UP DET 1, 347TH TFW SIOP COMMITMENT.
  
  In 1974 when the 8th TFW arrived at Kunsan in Sep 1974, the SIOP commitment 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. The 36th TFW transitioned from the F-4D to F-4E aircraft in Jun 1974, just prior to being assigned to the 51st CW.
  
  

  11 Mar 1971 The 36th TFS, 347th TFW divided into two sections (A & B) and began alternating deployments to FOL's in Korea. Deployments lasted 15 days. (SITE NOTE: Because the Osan AB was closed, the Det 1, 347th -- using Section A/B of the 36th TFS -- operated the FOL (meaning the SIOP commitment) from Kunsan AB starting in Mar 1971 after Det 1, 475th TFW closed down its operations at Kunsan AB in Feb 1971.)
  15 May 1971 The 36th TFS was officially reassigned from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB, and assigned to the 3rd TFW. (Source: Fiends Website.)
  
  Jul-Sep 1971 - "Preparations were made to move the 36th to Osan AB. The greatest problems were the installment of barriers and briefing personnel on coordination of high performance jet aircraft with normal air traffic." (Source: 36th TFS Squadron history, p21) (SITE NOTE: There was major construction at Osan as the runway was extended by 2000 feet on the south end and the barriers had to be relocated. The runway did not reopen until Oct 1971. According to the 8th US Army Chronology, the aircraft radio coordination problems were noted between the ROK and US military starting in the early part of 1971.)
  
  Oct 1971 - "F-4s were housed in hardened aircraft shelters commonly referred to as "Wonder Arches". The primary requirements of the 36th TFS was "maintain combat ready requirements for aircrew training and alert duties." (Source: 36th TFS Squadron history, p21) (SITE NOTE: These are also known as "Whiskey Arches". This indicates that the contract for the building of the hardened shelters had been completed at Osan by Oct 1971.)
  
  13 Nov 1971 The 36th established an FOL at Osan AB. It had originally planned to relocate there on 15 May 1971 when it was reassigned to the 3rd TFW. (Source: 36th TFS Squadron History, p21)
  

  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 TFS 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 at Kunsan AB 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. However, the commitment in reality was handled in the interim beddown period by Det 1, 347th TFW -- using F-4C personnel from Kadena and Section A/B of the 36th TFS, 347th TFW which had moved along with all its support equipment to set up an FOL at Kunsan.
  
  This left the 36th TFS 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 was odd-man-out as the 54 F-4D aircraft from Misawa were only enough for TWO squadons in Kadena, but three F-4C squadrons were being transferred to Kadena. (The F-4D aircraft were to go to Kunsan and the manning was to go to Kadena to build up one F-4C squadron and one F-4C Wild Weasel.) 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.
  
  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. At that time, the 36th TFS picked up the nuclear alert SIOP commitment previously assigned to the Det 1, 475th TFW using personnel and assets from Det 1, 347th TFW from Osan. The 36th TFS was supporting the SIOP alert commitment and air defense commitment at Kunsan while the 35th and 80th got bedded down. The Det 1, 347th TFW support equipment belonged to Kadena but was still on Det 1, 347th TFW's inventory for use by the 36th TFS TEMPORARILY. (The remainder of the aircraft and support equipment would be used to form the 67th TFS and 44th TFS under the 18th TFW.)
  
  The Det 1, 347th TFW of Osan AB closed its operations in early 1971 and moved all their F-4C support equipment to Kunsan AB on flatbed trucks. This was because the runway at Osan was closing for repairs. Up to this time, Det 1, 475th TFW -- an F-4D unit -- had performed the SIOP duty at Kunsan. In Mar 1971, the Det 1, 475th TFW turned over the SIOP mission to the Det 1, 347th TFW -- brought down from Osan AB and manned by the 36th TFS, Section A. The Det 1, 347th TFW would be relieved at 15 day intervals by Section B from Yokota and vice versa -- until the 36th TFS was reassigned to the 3rd 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. The 36th TFS was officially transferred to the 3rd TFW in May 1971. The 36th Unit History stated, "Flighttime requirements for this quarter were filled early in anticipation of the 36th's move to Kunsan AB. Training requirements were especially difficult because the nearest nuclear or conventional range was near Osan AB, Korea." This was the Kooni Range.
  
  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. However, the 2000-foot runway extension was underway and would not be completed until Oct 1971. As soon as the runway was completed, the 36th relocated to their old home on Diamond A at Osan. The 36th TFS history stated the F-4Cs were safely situated in the "Wonder Arches" (Whiskey Arches) in Oct 1971. When the 51st ABW took over in Nov 1971, the 36th TFS was already situated at Osan AB. (SITE NOTE: They were still building the arches at Kunsan in 1971 under contract) to the Samil Co. (1971-1973, but the arches at Osan had been completed first.)
  
  On 1 Nov 1971 the 51st Air Base Wing (ABW) took over Osan AB. Then the next we hear, the 36th is OFFICIALLY 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–." 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 assumed from the now-defunct Det 1, 347th TFW, while Kunsan maintained the SIOP alert assumed from the now-defunct Det 1, 475th TFW.)

  Thus the 36th has been at Osan AB from 13 Nov 1971 on -- though there are references to the aircraft being in the "Wonder arches" (whiskey arches) in Oct 1971. 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 from the F-4C to F-4Ds in 1972. (Source: "Flying Fiends".)
  
  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: It mistakenly shows it assigned to 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing -- instead of 51st Composite Wing.)
  
  

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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.

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  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)
  
  On 1 Jul 71, I Corps (ROK/US) Group was reorganized as an integrated corps. The binational headquarters, situated 19 miles north of Seoul near Uijongbu, controlled a composite of ROKA/ROKMC/EUSA combat elements (12 divistion, 4 brigades) which comprised the largest Army corps in the Free World. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1975)) (NOTE: This was the predecessor of the Combined Field Command when I Corps departed the country for Camp Zama, Japan and the hat was switched to the Commander of the USFK.)
  
  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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  Racial Tensions Off-base: Blacks versus Koreans, then Blacks versus Whites 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)
  
  Lynn Carl of Atlanta, Ga wrote in Dec 2007, "Wow! Camp Humphries! I was there from 69-71, and I remember the riots. I was an MP supervisor and got caught in the middle of it. Actually the riots started down the road a Suwanne (Suhawhnee), Camp Howard the night before K6. I was the Desk Sgt that night. I remember "the green doors" in an alley, and the 8th Army CPX girls! LOL For two weeks after the riot, the only way in was by air. It was that bad. I personally had to make a decision of shoot, or no shoot, and I'll never forget it. It was the Koreans againest the blacks, and whites were caught in the middle. 600 rounds were shot over their heads at the main gate of K6 the first night. There were deaths.There were hand grenades thrown at my buddies on the gate. Oh well, thank god its long gone!"
  
  From Lynn's comments, the "emotional intensity" of the riots were much worse than the historical records indicate. It also appears that the riots actually started at Camp Howard (returned to the ROK in the 1970s) -- and then spread to Anjung-ni outside K-6. We do not have any reports of deaths, but there may have been Korean deaths that were not reported in the USFK history.
  
  

  DAY#1 Camp Howard (11 Apr 1971)
  
  I was the Desk Sgt on the night it started at Camp Howard. Myself and another MP had gone to the village outside to check on a reported fight. When we got there, we found a black guy by the name of McClelland from Alabama drunk coming out of a bar where he had just been beating up on some Koreans according to other Koreans there. Some of the Koreans were really agitated by him. We escorted McClelland back to the main gate, and told him to get on the compound, and return to his barracks. We watched him enter the compound.
  
  We then cruised through the ville to make sure everything had calmed down, which it had. I then returned to the MP Station at Camp Howard. About fifteen to twenty minutes later, at I'm guessing now, about 9:00pm, I got an urgent call from the main gate guard stating that there were approx. 300 Koreans getting ready to riot at the gate, and that I needed to get down there quickly.
  
  When I got to the gate the first thing I saw was some MP's dragging McClelland in the gate on the ground. He had went over the fence or something to get back to the ville. He had been beat pretty bad, and was unconscious. The Koreans were cranking a hand siren on a tower in the ville, and this caused even more Koreans to come running to join them. At about that time they started throwing rocks at the gate guards and tried to storm the gate.
  
  As I attempted to secure the gate they rushed it. One Korean about two feet away from me raised a brick and was getting to hit me in the head. I locked and loaded my .45 and put it to his head very quickly. He thought about it, and dropped the brick (Thank god!). Then the rocks came like rain. I called K6 MP's and requested they send backups ASAP.
  
  In the meantime the post commander at Camp Howard put the compound on alert, and the Infantry (I believe they were) came full gear, and with tear gas grenades, and secured the front of the compounds perimeter. The Koreans had loudspeakers now, and were telling the white soldiers to turn over all the black soldiers, that they meant no harm to us white soldiers. There was a standoff now, and the Korean crowd had grown to several hundred.
  
  In the meantime, K6 had sent four jeep loads of MP's to Howard to back us up. What happened next was a mess! The four jeeps arrived, but they had to drive through the Koreans to get in the gate. The first jeep floored it and went through with the others following. After the first one caught the Koreans off guard, they suddenly spotted the other jeeps and started stoning the jeeps very hard. One or two of the jeeps hit the concrete barriers at the gate, ejecting at least one I know of. Some of the MP's were in bad shape, one with a broken leg I remember. The medics could not get through, so a ch-47 made a night landing on the hill to medivac the injured out. As the jeeps were driving through the crowd, everything was chaos. I cannot remember, but I believe they used some gas on the Koreans. The standoff continued until early morning, but the violence stopped then.
  
  DAY#2 K6 (12 Apr 1971)
  
  When morning came it was not safe to drive through the ville. All traffic out of Camp Howard had to go out the back gate and around the ville to avoid trouble (this lasted for at least a week). Latter in day #2 in the evening is when everything started at An Jung Ni. At the time there were white clubs, and there were black clubs. They would throw a black man out of a white club, and visa versa. A black man tried to enter one of the white clubs, and they tried to stop him. The black man stabbed two of them, killing the club manager. (I believe three Koreans were killed in An Jung Ni that night) There were also some clubs set on fire I believe. This is where the real violence began.
  
  Immediately the rioting started. The mobs tried to enter the front gate. Military Police setup behind sandbags with M-60 machineguns, and their M-16's. I cannot remember the MP captain's name, but at some point when it looked like they would enter the compound, he gave the order to fire over their heads. About six hundred rounds were shot over there heads to hold them out.
  
  At the same time all this was happening and before, there was a black militant group at another base in Korea that had stolen a case of hand grenades, some M-16's, Etc.I think it was on the second day of rioting there, some of these grenades ended up being throw at my friends on the main gate at K6. Luckily no one got hurt. Apparently the militants had traveled to K6.
  
  Guards were put on the entire perimeter fence, because the Koreans were attempting to enter through the fence. They were just kind of hanging out waiting for a chance to get in. The front gate was closed. The only way in was by air for two weeks, or by driving way around through the CPX and coming in a back gate.
  
  The post commander ordered An Jung Ni permanently off limits. (13 Apr 1971) The village began to die a slow death. Shops closed, all the prostitutes left. The post commander was punishing the ville it appeared. The village remained off limits for a few months. After much pleading by local officials, they finally agreed to lift the off limits, but with stipulations. The clubs had to be moved out of the narrow cramped alleys. Clubs had to allow blacks in white clubs, and some other things. The ville never was the same again after that. It seemed kind of dead, and there were allot of hard feelings, and distrust on both sides. It was really sad. (Source: Email from Lynn Carl of Atlanta, Ga in Jan 2008.)

  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 Anjong-ni. 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 1971. (Source: 8th Army Chronology)
  
  (SITE NOTE: It should be noted that during this time period, the US draft was still in effect. The blacks in the Air Force were all volunteers and of the upper percentiles in intelligence tests and high school graduates as a minimum -- with many having a few years of college. These individuals were not normally prone to violence. However, during the Vietnam War years, blacks in the US Army were amongst the lower intelligence percentiles and education levels. They were drawn mostly from lower-income, inner-city blacks who grew up feeling the weight of injustice in American society. Many had minor criminal records that were waived for entrance into the Army. As a general rule, blacks in the US Army were more prone to violent behavior than the USAF blacks -- and also more vocal in protests over perceived injustices to blacks. However, the USAF was not without its racial problems as well. For example, from 22 to 25 May 71 at Travis AFB as a result of racial discrimination and broad anti-war sentiment, black airmen waged a 3-day uprising . Fighting off MPs and local police reinforcements, they effectively shut down operations at the base -- including fire damage to barracks structures. (Source: Chronology Riots.)
  
  The 8th Army historical records indicate the unrest amongst the black soldiers throughout Korea over perceived inequities in the society -- and US Army as a whole. Though blacks in the USAF did reflect the many of the same ideas as the general black populace of America, they were more likely to "blend" and attempt to work racial Equal Opportunity and Treatment (EOT) problems through the "system."
  
  

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  1972

  Commander, 51st ABW, Osan AB: Col. John H. Allison, Aug. 1, 1972 - June 7, 1973
  
  

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  (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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  Nana Dress Maker Shop Opens in 1972 In 1972, Mr. Kim Pyong-yong, 61, opened the Nana Dress Maker Shop on the ground floor of a building on what is now Rodeo Alley. It was just below what was then a popular black club called Papa Joe's. He rented the shop in this location at the time.
  
  
  Papa Joe's after it relocated to the Songtan side due to 1973 off-limits action in Jwadong. (Though no longer in business, it was located on Rodeo Alley on the left side just as you enter the alley. Remained a popular club with 200 plus customers on a weekend night.) (1978) (Harry Tezlaf)
  
  
  In 1985, he moved to the present location in the alley across from the Asia Hotel. The reason is that he owned the building. The shop is now known as "Nana Fashion Shop" but the same seamstress that worked there thirty years ago still sews there. Unlike other tailors in Shinjang, he has remained in the same profession without changing. Mr. Kim, however, no longer works full-time there though he still designs the dresses and cuts the patterns. He works twenty days a month as a AAFES taxi driver on base. His son, 27, also works on base. (Source: Verbal interview with Kim Pyong-yong by Kalani O'Sullivan on 12 Aug 07.)
  
  
  Kim Pyong-yong (Aug 2007) (Kalani O'Sullivan)

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  Flooding at Osan 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. (NOTE: The Pyongtaek area is a flood-plain area and noted for massive flooding every ten years. The 36th TFS received a ROK Presidential Unit Citation for its assistance during the flood. 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.))
  
  It was reported on 19 Aug 1971 that the worst flooding in 65 years hit the Osan AB area. More than 12 inches fell in one day and a total of 42 inches fell in four days. Det 1, 33rd ARRS had their hands full and smashed existing rescue records by saving 763 people. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)
  
  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) (1972) (Harry Tezlaf)	Flooding (1972) (Harry Tezlaf)
  Flooding in JinWi Myeon (1972) (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 (1972) (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) (1972) (Harry Tezlaf) (NOTE: The railroad tracks follow the telephone poles.)	Flooding (1972) (Harry Tezlaf)

  
  
  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.)
  
  On 7 Dec 72, the 314th Air Division was awarded the ROK Presidential Unit Citation for its massive rescue operations during the heavy floods which struck Korea in August. In addition, the 51st AB Wing and Det 33rd Rescue and Recovery Squadron received citations from the ROK Ministrer of Home Affairs. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1972).)

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  First C-5A Lands at Osan On 25 Feb 1972, the first C-5A landed at Osan AB validating the new 9,000 foot runway for the large aircraft.
  
  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. Marvin "Metz" Metzinger wrote in Feb 2008, "The F-4C and D were very comparable aircraft. Although the avionics were very different and there were great advances in the weapons delivery systems, the basic airframe was the same. As a consequence, the pilots were able to transition from one to the other with ease, simply a 'book study' and local check out (usually with an IP, but sometimes an IWSO or experienced WSO) on the differences. The F-4E model was a significant change in basic acft and pilot skills. Especially, the 'slatted' F-4E. The early E models were referred to as 'hard wing' Es, they had no slats." Though F-4D had the same J79 engines and basic airframe as the F-4C, the engine dollies and many of the avionics trailers were different. At that time, the FMS and CRS had to be refitted with all new tools/mockups and trailers/dollies, etc. On the aircraft, the most significant change was the replacement of the radar with the smaller and lighter WCS AN/APQ-109A -- and its larger radome. The F-4D had an upgraded weapons release system and the INS system was replaced. The ASQ-19 suite was changed for the comm/nav/IFF equipment.
  
  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 of Aug 1972. 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.)
  
  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 -- and didn't even say thanks. (SEE 3rd TFW Deployment to Vietnam.))
  
  On 10 Sep 1972, an F-4E crashed near Osan AB killing both air crew members. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980).
  
  On 2 Nov 1972, the 36th TFS resumed an air defense commitment from Osan AB. (Source: 36 Unit History) On 4 Nov 1972, it assumed alert air defense commitment for Korea. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980).
  
  

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  Last US Units Leave Suwon AB The last elements of the units deployed to Korea during the Pueblo Crisis in Dec 1968 departed Suwon AB between Jun-Jul 1971. On 1 Jun 1971, the last USAF units departed Suwon AB aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft. The 1st Marine Air Wing (1st MAW) returned to Iwakuni Marine Corps Station, Japan after two years in Suwon, Korea. (SITE NOTE: We are unable to ascertain what 1st MAW unit was at Suwon -- whether an aircraft unit or a support element. There is no mention on documents of Marine units coming to Korea in response to the Pueblo Crisis. Ist MAW records of that period only covers Vietnam elements -- and they're not too certain about them as well because Vietnam was a fluid environment. If anyone knows who this Marine unit was please drop a line.)
  
  The USAF announced that as of 1 Sep 1972, all operations would cease at Suwon AB. USAF personnel assigned to Suwon had been transferred although some operations were still maintained by the 51st ABW and 314th AD.
  
  Buildings at Suwon were disassembled and shipped to Osan AB on 30 Sep 1972. The 6170th CSS and 6305th TCF, Suwon AB, Korea were inactivated. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)
  
  On 2 Nov 72 all USAF operations at Suwon AB were terminated as the 6170th Combat Support Squadron and other elements stationed there were inactivated. The closeout is a management action to achieve financial savings and permit more effective utilization of AF personnel and equipment. The 330-man complement were assigned to other units within Korea. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1972).)
  
  On 22 Nov the final joint inventory and closeout of Suwon AB was held and all property remaining at Suwon AB was turned over to the ROK government. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)

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  19th TASS (FAC Association)
  
  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.
  
  On 15 Jan 1972, the 603d Direct Air Support Squadron was deactivated and the 19th TASS activated. (Source: 51st ABW Chronology (Jan-Dec 1972))
  
  
  O-2 Display at Shaw AB (John Pittman)
  
  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 2 Jul 1973, the TACP function of the 19th TASS was turned over to the ROKAF. On 4 Jun 1974, the 19th TASS was equipped with OV-10As, but retained O-2 to maintain combat ready status. On 30 Sep 1974, the 19th TASS was assigned from the 314th AD to the newly designated 51st Composite Wing (from the 51st ABW). (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) In conversion to the OV-10A "Bronco" aircraft completed in 1975.
  
  
  OV-10A Bronco (USAF Photo) (SITE NOTE: Thomas A. Powell, Major USAF Ret wrote in Aug 2007, "The OV-10 on your site actually belonged to the 22 TASS out of Wheeler AFB, HI (WH on tail). There is a 20% chance that I was flying that particular aicraft when the picture was taken. The external tanks on the wings were chinese T-37B externals we put on the OV-10 so we could fly the planes from Osan to WAFB. About 5 hops of 10 hour flights. I believe the planes had been assigned to Wheeler about a year before. We flew them to Osan to support Team Spirit and prove the viability of having them in Hawaii and still support the mission in Korea. We were a five ship.")
  
  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.)
  
  According to Marvin Metzinger in Aug 2007, "The A diamond belonged to the 19TASS, they worked almost exclusively with the US and ROK Army, and were part of the 5 TAC Air Gp, 314 AD. We had very little contact with them and even their Sqdrn building was fenced off and required an escort to enter. Around 1980 they became part of the 51 wing (the Tac Air Gp went away) and merged some offices, like Stan/Eval and Wing Weapons. Then the units began to work together more closely and even had parties together. Prior to that, we hardly knew them and rarely met any of their aircrews or maintenance personnel. Like all FACs, they would deploy with the army units and be gone for weeks at a time. They sort of operated in their own little 'sphere' of operations, 5 TacAir Gp and 314 AD, during the 1970s."
  
  
  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.) Inactivated on 1 Oct 1993.
  
  

  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.)

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  Osan Units Receive ROK Citations On 7 Dec 72, the 314th Air Division was awarded the ROK Presidential Unit Citation for its massive rescue operations during the heavy floods which struck Korea last August. In addition, the 51st AB Wing and Det 33rd Rescue and Recovery Squadron received citations from the ROK Ministrer of Home Affairs.

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  51st ABW Det 5 and 6 Deactivated On 25 Mar 1972 support elements of the 51st ABW were removed from P-Y-Do Island and Ir-wol-san Mountain. On 29 Mar 1972, 51st ABW Det 5 and 6, P-Y-Do and Ir-wol-san, were deactivated. (Source: 51st ABW Chronology (Jan-Dec 1972))

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  Osan AB Developments On 6 Apr 1972, "Chogie International Airlines" was inaugurated by the 51st ABW with two C-123K aircraft. (Source: 51st ABW Chronology (Jan-Dec 1972)) The C-123K aircraft were assigned to the 6114th ABG in 1972. They replaced the C-47s assigned to Osan since the 1950s. The last C-47 departed in 1971.
  
  The name "Chogie International Airlines" reflected the humor involved in the in-country flight service -- and service to Japan as required. "Chogie" means "to leave quickly" in Korean.
  
  The last C-123K -- serial number 520 -- of the 314th AB departed for the USAF Reserves on 6 May 1973. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) They were replaced by two T-29s in 1974, but a tragedy struck when a T-29 belonging to Osan AB crashed at sea on 2 Jul 1974 near Taiwan losing three crew members. The T-29s time with the 51st ABW was short and the remaining aircraft was soon sent to the boneyard in 1975.
  
  
  BX until 2004 (Frank Scherier)
  
  On 17 Oct 1972, the ground breaking for the new Osan AB Base Exchange was held. (SITE NOTE: Building 920 served as the base exchange until 2004 when a new base shopping mall and BX complex opened nearby. The BX was torn down in 2007 and the location became the new Recreation Center.)
  
  On 22 Nov the 314th Air Division announced a five-day workweek would replace the 5 1/2 day workweek. (SITE NOTE: Reports state that after this was done, the utilization of Paradise Lake and the Jisan park area increased greatly for off-base picnics with girl friends and family.)
  
  On 20 Dec 1972 more than 4,000 GI's in the Osan area were treated to a Bob Hope Christmas Special.

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  15th TRS Loss On 20 Jun 1972, the 15th TRS, 18th TFW lost an RF-4C near Osan AB.

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  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 destroyed. 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

  Commander, 51st ABW, Osan AB: Col. Billie J. Norwood, June 7, 1973 - May 1, 1974
  
  

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  Congregation in front of Shin Hung Presbyterian Church in Seomi-ri. Shin Hung Church is the oldest church in Songtan. (1973) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))
  
  

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  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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  Life at Osan AB and Songtan Bill Allen was at Osan AB from Jun 1972-Jun 73. He returned to Kunsan AB from Sep '74 to Aug '75 but avoided any of his "previous excitement." He wrote in Aug 2006, that he thought that the "Great Fire of 1971" occurred in 1973. Actually the fires were different incidents. The 8th Army Chronology (1973) stated that a fire at Osan AB on 18 Feb 1973 destroyed seven offices in two separate building complexes and caused $200,000 in property losses. There were no injuries. At the time the cause of the blaze was under investigation. The HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology (30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) stated, that the fires occurred on two separate incidents on the 18th and 19th. The first was an empty building and the other damaged the Base Supply building.
  
  Bill stated, "I arrived at Osan in June of 1972 and don't remember the fire happening until 1973. Col. Calvin Quinstedt (sp?) was assigned to the 51st Security Police Squadron and set out to stop the rampant use of marijuana in his organisation. The OSI raided the security police barracks and used informers to charge 52 of the squadron members with cannabis use. I was one of those so charged. I can't even remember the month now but I think it may have January or February. About a week later I was returning to base on a shuttle bus from, yes, Chicol Village when we passed the remains of the fire. There were several base police on the bus, and the laughter was outrageous. None of us received more than a slap on the wrist after that happened as the OSI office was also located in the same complex."
  
  In 1973, the USFK attempted to clamp down on drug use through the use of random urinalysis screening -- especially for those returning from TDY or leave from conus or Southeast Asia. According to the 8th Army Chronology (1973) "Additional procedures to improve random urinalysis testing program are implemented in Eighth Army. All soldiers 28-years old and younger who have been on TDY or leave will be tested within 48 hours of their return to duty. The random sampling by SSAN will continue with no one excused unless hospitalized, on leave or TDY. These rules are expected to attain the goal of a one percent unexcused no-show rate and 3,300 tests per month. The purpose of the thesting program is to identify drug users in order that they may receive treatment and to help deter individuals from casual or experimental use of drugs." (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1973).)
  
  Bill wrote, "Methamphetamines were easily available in the local drug stores, as was seconal. The drug stores were off limits to US personnel, but your girlfriend could go in and get anything without a prescription. LSD was very popular in 1972-73. Tar opium was available in extremely limited quantities. I only saw hashish once or twice." (SITE NOTE: At the time, there were few doctors to treat the masses. The doctors were split into oriental medicine and western medicine. Thus the government opted to allow drug stores with licensed pharmacists to prescribe drugs for common illnesses, including venereal disease. Drug (yak) stores sprang up everywhere -- and more often than not, the person prescribing drugs was not a licensed pharmacist. The problem with obtaining prescription drugs over the counter without a prescription has remained a problem till the present time and drug stores remain off-limits to all military personnel. In recent years, USFK teenage dependents were found to be abusing "cold medicines" from these drug stores that when taken with alcohol provided cheap highs.)
  
  Bill went on, "I have to say that the main trouble was marijauna. It was everywhere. We had a nuclear alert mission at times, and a full time fighter intercept mission to deny a repeat of something like the Pueblo happening again, and people smoking weed in the same alert area with uploaded nukes was a big concern." He added, "...a half pound of pot that was pretty well cleaned and heat sealed in plastic for five bucks fifty feet outside the main gate." Most times, this cannabis was low-quality left-overs scraps culled from the hemp used to make the traditional Korean ramie cloth. The amounts of THC, the hallucenogenic component, was considered low. The primary source of this hemp was from the Chollabuk-do area. Though it was supposedly regulated under the drug trafficking law passed in 1970, the products continued to appear on the streets. (SITE NOTE: Prior to 1970, Korea did not have a law against the sale and use of marijuana. On 16 Jul 70 the ROK National Assembly passed a law banning the use, sale and possession of marijana and set fines up to the equivalent of $1,500 and jail terms up to five years for the sale of the narcotic. The legislation, which became effective on 15 Oct 70, was aided US military officials in their fight against the sale and use of the drug around US military compounds. The USFK embarked on joint ROK/US investigation teams to prosecute offenders in the local courts. The first test came on 26 Nov 70 when the Korean National Police (KNP) announced that eight Americans and 15 Koreans were arrested by the joint ROK/US investigation teams which raided suspected centers of illegal drug activity around US military bases. This was the first crackdown involving Americans under the new law. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1970). ))
  
  He also remembered that there Paradise Lake (Boduchang) with its row boats. He stated, "One other thing. I remember Paradise Lake as having a field where I could always find 4-leaf clovers in abundance." (SITE NOTE: There was increased use of this recreational facility and the Jisan Park area for picnics after the 314th AD did away with the 5 1/2 day work week in 1972. Also when the requirement to wear uniforms off-base in Korea was terminated, more personnel felt more comfortable down town in their "civvies" -- though the requirement would be reinstituted locally after racial violence in Oct 1973 occurred. Paradise Lake was drained in the 1990s to build the Route 1 connection to Pyeongtaek. The Jisan Hill was cut for land fill and later became the Jisan Elementary School and where Paradise Lake was the Hyundae and Kunyong Apartments were built.)
  
  On another point he recalled, "The base fire department conducted FOD sweeps of the active runways and taxiways. There was a partridge that had a nest close to the Fire Department and would run alongside the fire truck each time it went out. It was hilarious watching that partridge."
  
  In Dec 2006 Rick Cornish of Plattsburgh, NY wrote: "I was stationed at Osan from Jun73 to Jun74. When I was there we did still called it Chicol Village. This was my first duty station out of Tech school and I was in the MMS Squadron. Seven of us went there fresh out of Tech School. We had to wear full dress uniforms downtown for ID purposes. This was a good tour of duty."

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  Racial Tensions Flare up at Osan AB and Songtan Offbase, Korea had a history of problems between minority soldiers and Koreans in the past. The common practice was that blacks were refused entry into white bars by the Korean management -- and whites were blocked from entering black bars by the Korean managers as well. Prior to 1971 in the Songtan area, there was a mix of white bars in the Chicol-ni area and black bars in the Jwa-dong area -- with a few mixed bars near to the main gate area. In June 1971 a riot in Itaewon left 13 injured and area was placed off-limits. 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 Anjong-ni. 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 1971. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1971).)
  
  In the Jwa-dong area black clubs had sprung up -- the most famous of which was Papa Joe's in Jwa-dong along with the Mayflower. Another black club near Papa Joe's was the Samsung club. The A-frame was another club near the Achim Morning Market (Songbuk Farmers' Market) on MSR-1. There was a BX taxi stand just outside the A-frame next to the bus depot -- at the intersection of MSR-1 and the road to the main gate. Another club was the 5-spot that was located down near the Jaeil Theater -- now the Woori Bank parking lot. The bars along the main strip outside the gate were "mixed" bars (integrated) according to local residents, though some stated that it was mostly white clientelle. Many Camp Humphreys soldiers would share a taxi to Songtan on the weekend and as a result were sometimes involved in the racial incidents. During the unrest at Camp Humphreys in 1971, the Jwa-dong area was placed temporarily off-limits but it appears that this was a short-lived sanction. Like Anjong-ni at Camp Humphreys, the off-limits sanctions was lifted in August.
  
  The friction between blacks and Koreans in the Songtan area was not as prominent as Camp Humphreys' or 2nd ID incidents, but the tension was just below the surface. On 31 Mar 1973, the A-Frame Club was placed off-limits due to racial discrimination practices against minority members of the USAF. (Source: 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology, p56)
  
  Tensions in Korea remained high as blacks continued to voice their discontent with their perceived social injustices against blacks in society and military. On 2 Apr 73 the two heavily-armed discontented soldiers barricaded themselves for nine hours in a police box on Namsan Mountain in downtown Seoul. No shots were fired nor injuries reported during the incident. On 15 Aug 1973, SP5 Michael McDonald and PFC Terry Herget, both of the 728th MP Bn at Camp Humphreys, were convicted by a general court-martial and sentenced to three years at hard labor and dishonorable discharges.
  
  It appears that a significant amount of violent crimes perpetrated upon Koreans -- mainly violence to prostitutes and robberies of taxi drivers -- were committed by blacks. Though whites also created off-base problems, it was the Korean perception that blacks were the prime trouble-makers. According to longtime local residents, though blacks from Osan AB regularly frequented the black-only Jwa-dong bars, a large percentage of the Jwa-dong clientelle were blacks from Army air defense artillery sites in the surrounding the Pyeongtaek area. This appeared to be the local Korean rationalization that USAF blacks did not create as much trouble as the US Army blacks who frequented the area. An example was on 21 May when a ROK plainclothesman, investigating illegal cigarette transactions, died of head injuries and four of his colleagues are injured in an alleged assault by personnel of the 38th ADA Bde. Five American soldiers were held in US custody for the incident in Kunja 15 miles south of Seoul. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1973).)
  
  Racial violence broke out again in September 1973. Sixty Army and USAF personnel were in a brawl near Osan AB. Four were hospitalized, while 31 were injured including 4 Koreans. On 7 Oct 73, in separate racial incidents involving 100 2d ID troops in towns adjacent to Camps Casey and Pelham, 28 US soldiers were silightly injured, treated and released. No Korean nationals were hurt, but minor property damage is reported. Order was quickly restored and an investigation begun. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1973).) This was a continuation of the friction between blacks and Korean nationals that had spread nation-wide.
  
  According to the 51st History, on 11 Oct 1973 "a large disturbance occurred in Songtan-Up (town) which resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals and the confinement to quarters and restriction to base of more than 500 others." Then on 12 Oct, "Racial disturbance continued in Songtan-Up and resulted in more arrests and the reimposing of the uniform wearing requirement off-base." (NOTE: The uniform restriction was just rescinded in Jul 1973.) (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) On 12 Oct racial violence erupted for the second time in a week as 60 US Army and AF personnel brawled near Osan AB. Four Americans were hospitalized while 31 others, including nine Koreans, were slightly injured, treated and released. Some civilian property damage was reported. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1973).)
  
  The incident on 12 Oct 1973 was the one referred to by Bill Allen who wrote in Aug 2006, "You also refer to the riot starting near the black clubs as happening in 1971. I don't know if there were two such happenings, but I was on an anti-pilferage team one night in the winter of 72-73 when we received an urgent call up to go into the village in full riot gear. With bayonets fixed we started near the A-Frame and did the stomp and drag all the way back to the main gate." (SITE NOTE: The A-frame was located up the alley near the Achim Morning Market (Songbuk Farmers' Market) and frequented by blacks. The "stomp and drag" was the method of advancing forward one step with a "stomp" then drag the back foot forward in a menacing stance with the rifle in a parry stance.)
  
  
  Pictures from the Balcony of A-frame Bar near Achim Morning Market (L) Toward the intercity bus terminal looking south. (Area now behind the Kookmin Bank.) Note on top of the hill on the far right is the Jwadong Methodist Church, oldest church in Songtan. (R) Alleyway being reconstructed looking west showing the expansion of the downtown area. (Hill in background is where Route 1 is now located.) (1971) (Edward Caler)
  
  
  Bill continued, "We forced any American personnel we encountered back onto base. When we were near the Stereo Club we heard screaming coming from a two story building next door. An NCO took a couple guys and retreived a very bloody black airman. We were told that the blacks had dragged a cab driver out of his car near Papa Joe's and assaulted him when the riot started. Word was that they didn't fare well with the local populace."
  
  An incident was reported in the Pyeongtaek History, as occurring on 12 Nov 1973 as a free-for-all 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.") We believe the Pyeongtaek Sisa incident is really on 12 Oct as there was no racial incident reported in the 8th Army or 51st CW Chronology for 12 Nov (or any nearby date). We believe that the Ya Jae-young refered to in the Pyeongtaek Si Sa was the taxi driver dragged from his cab in the 12 Oct incident described by Bill Allen.
  
  It is apparent that after these racial incidents, the Jwa-dong area and the "pink town" area on both sides of the railroad tracks were placed permanently off-limits during the night-time hours. Subsequently Papa Joe's bar in Jwa-dong relocated to the second floor along the Shinjang Road (Rodeo Alley) near the Main Gate. The Mayflower club moved from Jwa-dong to near the My House bar. The A-frame bar and My Place near the Achim Morning Market were also impacted, but we are not sure whether they moved or simply went out of business.
  
  On 22 Nov 1973, the Korean National Police (KNP) assumed responsibility for all off-base law enforcement in Songtan-Up and other civilian areas. (Source: 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology (20 Nov 1940-31 Dec 1980).) Thus the use of military force such as occurred on 12 Oct 1973 when Security Forces cleared the Songtan area of military would be prohibited in the future.
  
  
  Papa Joe's after it relocated to the Songtan side due to 1973 off-limits action in Jwadong. (Though no longer in business, it was located on Rodeo Alley on the left side just as you enter the alley. Remained a popular club with 200 plus customers on a weekend night. Papa Joe was a retired black serviceman who died about 1985 according to local residents.) (1978) (Harry Tezlaf) (SITE NOTE: Nana's Dressmaker Shop in the photo was still in operation in 2007, but relocated near the Asia Hotel.)
  
  
  Following these racial incidents, the USFK instituted "Racial Awareness Week" for the command in 1974. In connection with Racial Awareness Week, religious services were held thoughout Eighth Army and 7th Air Force to commemorate the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. born on 15 Jan 1928. The civil rights leader was assassinated on 4 Apr 68. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).) It is debatable whether the action was effective in defusing the tense racial situation. Many whites thought it was appeasement to the blacks. However, it did show that the USFK was taking the situation seriously -- and that punishment for future racial incidents would be handled harshly -- whether by black or white military personnel. The racial situation had strained military discipline within Korea to the limit.

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  36th TFS, 3rd TFW Assumes Victor Alert at Osan On 13 Nov 1971, the 36th TFS, assigned to the 3rd TFW, Kunsan AB, Korea began split operations from Kunsan and Osan AB, and assumed alert air defense commitments for Korea. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) By 1973, the 36th TFS had already converted to the F-4D. The 36th had been pulled first air defense (Zulu alert) from 1972, then the nuclear SIOP mission from 1973. The 36th TFS F-4Ds were housed in the Diamond area when on nuclear alert with two-four aircraft "hot cocked" with two spares. (See 1971: 36th Moves to Osan and SIOP Nuclear Alert Commitment)
  
  Al "Cobra" Preisser wrote in Feb 2008 that the 36th had already converted to the F-4D in 1973 and on 1 Jan 1973 at 0001 assumed the Victor Alert (nuclear alert) at Osan AB -- and transferred the Zulu Alert (air defense) to Kunsan AB. The nuclear alert was the old SIOP tasking from the 347th TFW that Det 1 347th TFW had previously pulled at Osan. The Det 1, 347th TFW operations (35th, 36th and 80th TFS) had been pulling nuclear alerts in the Diamond area since 1958 with F-100s. The alerts continued with F-105s (1968) and F-4s (1968-1971) on one-month rotations out of Yokota AB, Japan.
  
  Al said, "I do not know for sure when the F-4D came in to replace the F-4C or when they went to a 12/13 month at Osan vice 36 month tour at Missawa. When I arrived it was 13 months and was later lowered to 12 half way through my tour. Most of the alert details are given below...nothing I believe is un-talkable.... Also, we were still using MPCs until the very end of my tour when we could actually use American dollars." He wrote:
  
  

  "The 36th TFS (Fiends [or "pukin' pups"] - Red tail flash) was a permanently deployed squadron from Kunsan to Osan. We were part of the 3rd TFW which was still in Kunsan, where the 35th TFS (Panthers - blue tail flash) and the 80 TFS (JUVATS -yellow tail flash) were located. Col Paul Kauttu was the 3rd TFW commander and I believe Lt Col Bill (?) MacClelland was the Commander (I'll try and check that out). Lt Col Bob Remey was the ADO and Capt JB Spencer was the Weapons Officer..I took over the weapons shop from him in Feb 73 and gave it to Maj Dave Whitney when I left in Dec 1973. My back seaters were 1Lt Frank Yakov, then Maj Jay Dulaney and then 1Lt Doug Pierce. Maj Gen Travis McNeil was the 314 AD Commander and flew with us. Brig Gen Gary Willard was there in the 314th Air Division HQ but also flew with us. Later, Brig Gen Skip Scott took over the 314th and flew with us.
  
  "The 3rd TFW was later relocated to Clark AB in the Philippines in 1974 when the 8th TFW came back from Thailand. That was also the time that the 36th TFS was chopped to become part of the 51st Composite Wg at Osan (O-2s, CH-3s, and F-4Ds) .
  
  "When I first arrived in Nov 72 the Fiends were pulling Zulu (air defense) alert but on 1 Jan 73 @ 0001 hrs we took over the Victor alert commitment from Kunsan and they took our Zulu commitment in addition to their own Victor. Basically, we were clubfoot for the first 6 months and couldn't leave the greenhouse (36th Squadron building). About the time I had gotten a package and approval for movies to be brought into the squadron, they authorized us wingfoot to go to the theater, commissary, or BX. At the time we were pulling either 3 or 4 day shifts...we got pretty good at pool, ping pong, and darts! (SITE NOTE: The alert area was on the corner of Diamond "B" closest to the Greenhouse (Bldg 1185) with eight whiskey arches and a movable fence line. The "special weapons" were housed in bunkers down near the Doolittle Gate. In the Greenhouse, the 36th Ops was to the left as one entered the Greenhouse and the Alert force rooms were upstairs.)
  
  

  Diamond B (1970s): Used by the 36th TFS (Click to enlarge) (SITE NOTE: Photo from Google Earth on Aug 2007. There have been many changes since the 1970s and is used only to illustrate the general locations.)
  
  "In March 73 we lost a crew on Koonie range during a practice ORI. Pilot was Tom Ballard and Ron Goodwin was the WSO...good troops and a big loss. (SITE NOTE: Tom Ballard and Ron Goodwin were lost on 16 Feb 1973 during a low angle drogue delivery (LADD) of a simulated nuclear weapon.) The real ORI was in April...we busted it on Dive Toss by 5 ft when the winds were about 40 MPH and a wind sheer at about 2500 ft. We also had the the Mid east war during my tour. I was on Victor alert for 4 days, got off and went onto Zulu alert for 24 hrs, one day off and them back on Victor alert for 3-4 more days. Interesting time. There were several other incidents, and tensions were often high during my 13 1/2 month tour.
  
  "I'll probably remember more later but this is all I can come up with at the moment. Hope it helps. I could give more info on over flight of NK by the JUVATS and the crash at the Kun during a practice for the ORI...lots of little anecdotes.

  He later expanded on his remarks.
  
  

  "I was at Osan assigned to the 36th during the 72 - 73 timeframe, and yes we did sit Victor alert. We picked up the commitment from the Kun at 0001 on Jan 1, 1973 and sat Victor until I left in mid December 73. As the weapons officer for the squadron I got to sit in on all the certifications (starting in Feb when I took over from JB Spencer). After 1 Jan 73, all the Zulu alert was transferred to the Kun except during the 73 mid-east war (or other tense situations). During the ORI in late March 73 (I checked my log book and the ORI dates were during the week of 20 to 26 March...I had thought it was in early April), I was selected to do the certification before the PACAF IG team and then flew the night low level to Kooni Range for a "shape" delivery on 23 March. All we had during my stay was the hard wing F-4D...last of the "real man's airplanes."

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  Osan AB Aircrew losses On 16 Feb 73 two airmen, Capt Thomas R. Ballard and 1Lt Ronald B. Goodwin, both with the 36th TFS, were killed when their F-4D Phantom crashed at sea 14 miles west of Osan AB. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1973).) They crashed while practicing a bomb delivery run at Kooni Range. (Source: 36th TFS Squadron History, p21) However, the 51st Composite Wing History stated an F-4 crashed near Kooni Range and the "aircrew bailed out safely" seems to be in error. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980), p56)
  
  

  Captain Tom Ballard and Lt. Ron Goodwin
  
  Tom Ballard and Ron Goodwin were killed flying an F-4 during a nuclear bomb delivery training mission over Korea on February 16, 1973. They were on a typical F-4 training mission. Tom and Ron were tasked to fly a low level route in their F-4D and deliver their first practice simulated nuclear bomb within 1,500 feet of the target plus or minus two minutes of a designated time over the target (TOT). One of the missions of the F-4 was nuclear bombing so F-4 crews frequently practiced the skills necessary to put a nuclear bomb on target within the designated TOT. In Korea, we usually flew a low level route 500 feet above the ground at 420 knots for about 30 minutes before reaching the target on the bombing range.
  
  The F-4 had two ways to deliver a nuke bomb, the lay down method and the low angle drogue delivery (LADD) method. The lay down method is the simplest method. It involves merely flying straight and level over the target and releasing the nuke bomb at the proper time and place. The bomb falls away from the airplane, the nose of the bomb falls off to reveal a spike and the bomb floats to the ground in a parachute.
  
  The LADD delivery method involves flying towards the target and at a predetermined distance the pilot pulls back on the stick and begins a steep climb approximating 45 degrees. At some point in the climb, the F-4's Weapons Release Computer System releases the bomb. The nuke bomb then continues in an upward trajectory for a while before falling back to earth. The parachute on the bomb opens and the bomb then begins to float toward the ground.
  
  The purpose of the LADD is to cause an air burst, i.e., a bomb that explodes above the ground, as opposed to a bomb that explodes on the ground. The nuke bomb contained a radar altimeter that detonates the bomb at a designated altitude above the ground. An air burst creates substantially more radioactivity than a ground burst of the same magnitude.
  
  Tom and Ron flew a good low level mission to the Kuni bombing range on the west coast of Korea. When they flew over the target at 1,000 feet, their bomb did not release. The most common reason a bomb did not release was because the pilot failed to properly configure all of the switches necessary for the delivery. We called this a "switchology error," which meant an error caused by improper setting of weapons switches. In the F-4 it was actually possible to select the switches in such a way that pressing the bomb release button caused the 20mm gatling gun on the centerline of the airplane to be released like a bomb. The powers that be were not happy when a pilot accidentally bombed off a gun that cost several hundred thousand dollars.
  
  Tom began a 360 degree turn to make another bombing run so that he could release his bomb within two minutes of the designated TOT. The accident report speculated that while in the turn at low level (500 - 1,000 feet) the F-4 flew into the water. Tom was probably checking the switches in the cockpit trying to figure out why the bomb did not release and was momentarily distracted, which allowed the airplane hit the water. When you fly at high speeds (500 knots is 845 feet per second), there is not much room for error. (Source: Excerpt from American Heroes, Richard Keyt.)

  On 22 Oct a USAF HH43E helicopter of the 41st ARRS crashed during an approach to Osan AB, killing the four man crew. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)

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  Osan AB Developments On 23 Jul 1973, the requirement to wear a uniform off-base was rescinded. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)
  
  The end of "Chogie International Airlines" (Base Flight aircraft) was seen when the last C-123K -- serial number 520 -- of the 314th AB departed for the USAF Reserves on 6 May 1973. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) They were replaced by two T-29s in 1974 but they too were soon sent to the boneyard in 1975.
  
  On 2 Aug 1973, all squadron lounges in the dormitories were officially closed by the 51st ABW because of over-crowding in the dormitories. The lounges were turned into two man rooms. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)
  
  On 15 Nov due to the worldwide fuel crisis, all JP-4 aircraft flying actifvity at Osan AB was cancelled. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)

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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 1950’s 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 Army’s 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 Red Horse Rebuilt (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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  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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  US Ends Vietnam War in a Stalemate In Mar 1973, the US officially ended 8 years of operations in Vietnam under a brokered peace agreement. The last American troops leave in their entirety on 29 Mar 1973.

  Subject: Vietnam Facts vs Fiction
  
  For over 30 years I....like many Vietnam veterans....seldom spoke of Vietnam, except with other veterans, when training soldiers, and in public speeches. These past five years I have joined the hundreds of thousands who believe it is high time the truth be told about the Vietnam War and the people who served there. It's time the American people learn that the United States military did not lose the War, and that a surprisingly high number of people who claim to have served there, in fact, DID NOT.
  
  As Americans, support the men and women involved in the War on Terrorism, the mainstream media are once again working tirelessly to undermine their efforts and force a psychological loss or stalemate for the United States. We cannot stand by and let the media do to today's warriors what they did to us 35 years a go.
  
  Below are some assembled some facts most readers will find interesting. It isn't a long read, but it will....I guarantee....teach you some things you did not know about the Vietnam War and those who served, fought, or died there. Please share it with those with whom you communicate.
  
  Vietnam War Facts: Facts, Statistics, Fake Warrior Numbers, and Myths Dispelled
  
  9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975.
  2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam
  Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.
  240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War
  The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.
  58,148 were killed in Vietnam
  75,000 were severely disabled
  23,214 were 100% disabled
  5,283 lost limbs
  1,081 sustained multiple amputations
  Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21
  11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old
  Of those killed, 17,539 were married
  Average age of men killed: 23.1 years
  Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.
  The oldest man killed was 62 years old.
  As of January 15, 2 004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War
  97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged
  91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served
  74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome
  Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.
  Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent.
  87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem.
  There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study)
  Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
  85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.
  
  Interesting Census Stats and "Been There" Wanabees:
  
  1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).
  ~ During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.
  ~ As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day. During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.
  
  The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. Corrections and confirmations to this errored index resulted in the addition of 358 U.S. military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally listed by the Department of Defense. (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).
  
  Isolated atrocities committed by American Soldiers produced torrents of outrage from anti-war critics and the news media while Communist atrocities were so common that they received hardly any media mention at all. The United States sought to minimize and prevent attacks on civilians while North Vietnam made attacks on civilians a centerpiece of its strategy. Americans who deliberately killed civilians received prison sentences while Communists who did so received commendations. From 1957 to 1973, the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725 Vietnamese and abducted another 58,499. The death squads focused on leaders at the village level and on anyone who improved the lives of the peasants such as medical personnel, social workers, and school teachers. - Nixon Presidential Papers
  
  Common Myths Dispelled:
  
  Myth: Common Belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted.
  Fact: 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers.
  
  Myth: The media have reported that suicides among Vietnam veterans range from 50,000 to 100,000 - 6 to 11 times the non-Vietnam veteran population.
  Fact: Mortality studies show that 9,000 is a better estimate. "The CDC Vietnam Experience Study Mortality Assessment showed that during the first 5 years after discharge, deaths from suicide were 1.7 times more likely among Vietnam veterans than non-Vietnam veterans. After that initial post-service period, Vietnam veterans were no more likely to die from suicide than non-Vietnam veterans. In fact, after the 5-year post-service period, the rate of suicides is less in the Vietnam veterans' group.
  
  Myth: Common belief is that a disproportionate number of blacks were killed in the Vietnam War.
  Fact: 86% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasians, 12.5% were black, 1.2% were other races. Sociologists Charles C. Moskos and John Sibley Butler, in their recently published book "All That We Can Be," said they analyzed the claim that blacks were used like cannon fodder during Vietnam "and can report definitely that this charge is untrue. Black fatalities amounted to 12 percent of all Americans killed in Southeast Asia, a figure proportional to the number of blacks in the U.S. population at the time and slightly lower than the proportion of blacks in the Army at the close of the war."
  
  Myth: Common belief is that the war was fought largely by the poor and uneducated.
  Fact: Servicemen who went to Vietnam from well-to-do areas had a slightly elevated risk of dying because they were more likely to be pilots or infantry officers. Vietnam Veterans were the best educated forces our nation had ever sent into combat. 79% had a high school education or better.
  
  Here are statistics from the Combat Area Casualty File (CACF) as of November 1993. The CACF is the basis for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall): Average age of 58,148 killed in Vietnam was 23.11 years. (Although 58,169 names are in the Nov. 93 database, only 58,148 have both event date and birth date. Event date is used instead of declared dead date for some of those who were listed as missing in action) Deaths Average Age
  Total: 58,148, 23.11 years
  Enlisted: 50,274, 22.37 years
  Officers: 6,598, 28.43 years
  Warrants: 1,276, 24.73 years
  E1 525, 20.34 years
  11B MOS: 18,465, 22.55 years
  
  Myth: The common belief is the average age of an infantryman fighting in Vietnam was 19.
  Fact:: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age.
  
  Myth: The Common belief is that the domino theory was proved false.
  Fact: The domino theory was accurate. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand stayed free of Communism because of the U.S. commitment to Vietnam. The Indonesians threw the Soviets out in 1966 because of America's commitment in Vietnam. Without that commitment, Communism would have swept all the way to the Malacca Straits that is south of Singapore and of great strategic importance to the free world. If you ask people who live in these countries that won the war in Vietnam, they have a different opinion from the American news media. The Vietnam War was the turning point for Communism.
  
  Myth: The common belief is that the fighting in Vietnam was not as intense as in World War II.
  Fact: The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter. One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. 58,148 were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.7 million who served. Although the percent that died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II ....75,000 Vietnam veterans are severely disabled. MEDEVAC helicopters flew nearly 500,000 missions. Over 900,000 patients were airlifted (nearly half were American). The average time lapse between wounding to hospitalization was less than one hour. As a result, less than one percent of all Americans wounded, who survived the first 24 hours, died. The helicopter provided unprecedented mobility. Without the helicopter it would have taken three times as many troops to secure the 800 mile border with Cambodia and Laos (the politicians thought the Geneva Conventions of 1954 and the Geneva Accords or 1962 would secure the border).
  
  Myth: Kim Phuc, the little nine year old Vietnamese girl running naked from the napalm strike near Trang Bang on 8 June 1972.....shown a million times on American television....was burned by Americans bombing Trang Bang.
  Fact: No American had involvement in this incident near Trang Bang that burned Phan Thi Kim Phuc. The planes doing the bombing near the village were VNAF (Vietnam Air Force) and were being flown by Vietnamese pilots in support of South Vietnamese troops on the ground. The Vietnamese pilot who dropped the napalm in error is currently living in the United States. Even the AP photographer, Nick Ut, who took the picture, was Vietnamese. The incident in the photo took place on the second day of a three day battle between the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) who occupied the village of Trang Bang and the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) who were trying to force the NVA out of the village. Recent reports in the news media that an American commander ordered the air strike that burned Kim Phuc are incorrect. There were no Americans involved in any capacity. "We (Americans) had nothing to do with controlling VNAF," according to Lieutenant General (Ret) James F. Hollingsworth, the Commanding General of TRAC at that time. Also, it has been incorrectly reported that two of Kim Phuc's brothers were killed in this incident. They were Kim's cousins not her brothers.
  
  Myth: The United States lost the war in Vietnam.
  Fact: The American military was not defeated in Vietnam. The American military did not lose a battle of any consequence. From a military standpoint, it was almost an unprecedented performance. General Westmoreland quoting Douglas Pike, a professor at the University of California, Berkley a major military defeat for the VC and NVA.
  
  THE UNITED STATES DID NOT LOSE THE WAR IN VIETNAM, THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE DID. Read on........
  
  The fall of Saigon happened 30 April 1975, two years AFTER the American military left Vietnam. The last American troops departed in their entirety 29 March 1973.
  
  How could we lose a war we had already stopped fighting? We fought to an agreed stalemate. The peace settlement was signed in Paris on 27 January 1973. It called for release of all U.S. prisoners, withdrawal of U.S. forces, limitation of both sides' forces inside South Vietnam and a commitment to peaceful reunification. The 140,000 evacuees in April 1975 during the fall of Saigon consisted almost entirely of civilians and Vietnamese military, NOT American military running for their lives. There were almost twice as many casualties in Southeast Asia (primarily Cambodia) the first two years after the fall of Saigon in 1975 then there were during the ten years the U.S. was involved in Vietnam. Thanks for the perceived loss and the countless assassinations and torture visited upon Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians goes mainly to the American media and their undying support-by-misrepresentation of the anti-War movement in the United States.
  
  As with much of the Vietnam War, the news media misreported and misinterpreted the 1968 Tet Offensive. It was reported as an overwhelming success for the Communist forces and a decided defeat for the U.S. forces. Nothing could be further from the truth. Despite initial victories by the Communists forces, the Tet Offensive resulted in a major defeat of those forces. General Vo Nguyen Giap, the designer of the Tet Offensive, is considered by some as ranking with Wellington, Grant, Lee and MacArthur as a great commander. Still, militarily, the Tet Offensive was a total defeat of the Communist forces on all fronts. It resulted in the death of some 45,000 NVA troops and the complete, if not total destruction of the Viet Cong elements in South Vietnam. The Organization of the Viet Cong Units in the South never recovered. The Tet Offensive succeeded on only one front and that was the News front and the political arena. This was another example in the Vietnam War of an inaccuracy becoming the perceived truth. However, inaccurately reported, the News Media made the Tet Offensive famous.
  
  Please give all credit and research to: Capt. Marshal Hanson, U.S.N.R (Ret.)
  
  Capt. Scott Beaton, Statistical Source

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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 in 1973 -- though not officially recognized under that name until 1976 -- that attempted to bring together elements from all the services in Japan, Philippines 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. (SITE NOTE: 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. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.") We believe the 12 Nov 73 date is actually 12 Oct 73 as there were no other racial incidents in the 8th Army Chronology (1973). We believe that Ya Jae-young was the cab driver in the Jwa-dong area that was dragged from his cab and robbed by blacks that started the incident.)
  
  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.
  
  On 19 Nov 1973, USFK authorities direct conversion of Military Payment Certificates (MPC) to greenbacks. The $16.8 million, one-day changeover, which DOD attributes to the 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

  Commander, 51st Air Base Wing, Osan AB: Col. Alonzo L. Ferguson, May 1, 1974 - Sept. 30, 1974
  Commander, 51st Composite Wing (Tactical), Osan AB: Col. Glenn L. Nordin, Sept. 30, 1974 - Aug. 12, 1975

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  Sports Day (1974) (Seojong Elementary 80th Anniversary Book) (2003))

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

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  Hanil Presbyterian Church The church was built in 1973 on its present site near the top of Hobak Hill in the area known as Goo-chang-teo. It is at the end of Jeyok Road. Its unique stairwell "steeple" has remained though there have been major renovations to the frontage of the building and the addition of a bell tower on the top of the "steeple". It is located near the Songtan Central Presbyterian Church with a parking lot across the street.
  
  According to the Seongwang Church history, between 12 Feb 1972 and 9 Mar 1974, Rev. Yi Nak-hyun served as the sixth pastor of the Seongwang Church. However, on 9 Mar 1974, the Hanil Church was split away from the Seongwang Church and Rev. Yi Nak-hyun became its first pastor.
  
  As of 2006, the Pastor is Rev. Lee Kook-hyun and there are approximately 300 in the congregation (not including children).
  
  
  The Hanil Church is located at the end of Shinjang Road on the rise of Goo-chang-teo. (1977) (51st FW Historian Office)
  
  
  The Hanil Church (Sep 2006) (Kalani O'Sullivan)
  
  

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  Phoenix Hotel Originally, on the same location as the present Phoenix Hotel, Mr. Oh Sung-bok, owned the Phoenix Eel Skin Factory (upstairs) and Phoenix Eel Skin Shop (first floor). It was first established around 1974 and manufactured the eel skin wallets and accessories that were the fashion at the time. Everyone coming TDY to Osan AB had instructions to pick up some eel skin wallets as presents for the people back home. Eel skin leather would wear forever, but unfortunately, the thread used for stitching would give out long before the eel skin would.
  
  
  Phoenix Eel Skin Factory and Shop on left (1974) (Frank Schallenberger)
  
  When the Namsan-teo road was built in 1986 between the base and the Shinjang road area, the old hotel that abutted the base was torn down to make room for the road. At that time, Mr. Oh decided to convert his property into a hotel. The construction of the Phoenix Hotel was started in 1986 shortly after the road was built. It opened its doors in Oct 1987. The owner remains Oh Sung-bok and the hotel operates as a family-owned business. Mr. Oh's two sons, Oh Nam-sik and Oh Choon-sik, work there as managers.
  
  
  Phoenix Hotel at Shinjang Mall Entrance (23 Sep 2006) (Frank Schreiera)
  
  The hotel has 34 rooms. The rooms are equipped with 29" TVs with DVD players, computers and internet free, and a big-size refrigerator. It has the free shuttle service to the base.
  
  However, the biggest plus to the hotel is that as of Apr 2008, the room rates were 30,000 won per night. This is a significant savings as compared to the other hotels with rates of 55,000-70,000 won per night. However, the hotel is NOT base contracted -- meaning that the Tumuli Lodge if it is full will not send you down to the Phoenix Hotel. If you're on a shopping trip from another base/camp, this is the hotel to choose for savings as a no-frills place to stay!!!
  
  On the premises, there is Miss Hin's Hamburgers on the first floor and the Hamburger Shop on the second floor where you can get a beer or some soju. On the ground floor, there is a travel agency, DVD rental/sales, and AGI insurance agency.
  
  
  (L) Mr. Oh Nam-sik, Manager (R) Mr. Oh Choon-sik, Manager (May 2008) (Kalani O'Sullivan)
  
  

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  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. (NOTE: Much of this construction was due to the massive fire in 1968 that destroyed the shanty town with its buildings built of scrap lumber with roofs of flattened ammo cans and tarpar tacked down by strips. One-two story structures of concrete were erected to replace the shanty town between 1968-69.) There was 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. Aragon, Yongchon and Rodeo Alleys existed -- though slightly narrower -- but No-name Alley (Pacific Hotel Alley) still had not been cut at the time.

  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 fire brick and 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 rate of 11 percent. (Source: 1974 8th Army Chronological History.)

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  Life in Songtan In late Feb the bitterest late winter cold spell to hit Korea in 50 years disrupted transportation as temperatures dropped to five degrees in Seoul and 20 below zero in the forward areas along the DMZ. Chill factors made working on aircraft outdoors at Osan AB a hazardous operation.
  
  Prostitution remained a fact of life in the bar areas of Songtan. The lowest prostitutes were those that were trapped in the brothels in Jwa-dong and "Pink town" -- held in unspeakable bondage. Then there were the unregistered "street-walkers" from the "Pink Town" near the railroad tracks -- and the ancient hookers who operated near the Jungang Market. Finally there were the registered prostitutes who worked in the bars who prefered to call themselves "businesswomen." Though there was an anti-prostitution law on the books since 1949, the ROK government never enforced it -- and turned a blind-eye to the thriving sex industry throughout the country. The "special tourism zone" appelation given to the Shinjang area was nothing more than a way of officially blessing the camp town (ki'chichon) status.
  
  During this time, the registered bar girls were given VD checks by the base hospital along with local Korean government health personnel. While working in the bars, these bargirls were made to wear color-coded tags in the bar which indicated their status. Red meant "hot" -- having VD. Pink meant the bar girl was on her menstrual period. Green was "ok". All the girls who worked in the bar had a medical checkup book logging the last checkup. It was maintained behind the bar for spot inspections by base authorities. During the 1970s, venereal disease was a significant problem amongst the military -- especially after the appearance in Korea of some antibiotic resistant VD strains that could not be treated.
  
  In 1974 following a check-up of prostitutes in areas adjacent to US military installations, it was revealed that there was a 27.5 percent VD rate. Following this information, the ROK Health and Social Affairs Ministry decreed that those "business girls" must register for regular examinations and treatment at any of 192 national health centers. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).)
  
  In Feb 2007 Gary Holm of Cleveland, OH wrote: "Served 2 tours at Osan AB, 1974-1975 and then again in 1976 to early 1978 with the 38th ADA Brigade HQ. There were only about 300 or so of us Army guys at Osan, but we all managed to get along for the most part. I had a fantastic time on base or in the Ville. Lived mostly off-base and spent a lot of time at Paradise Bar (Jimmy, the owner and I became good friends) and out at Paradise (Lake) outside the Ville. Played a lot of chess, drank a lot of OB and Oscar and ate a lot of Ramien and Kimchi. What a great experience!"
  
  Following the racial incidents at Osan AB in the fall of 1973, the USFK instituted "Racial Awareness Week" for the command in Jan 1974. In connection with Racial Awareness Weel, religious services were held thoughout Eighth Army and 7th Air Force to commemorate the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. born on 15 Jan 1928. The civil rights leader was assassinated on 4 Apr 68. In addition, attempts were made to "sensitize" the broader elements of the USFK population including dependents and DoD civilians to the racial problem. US libraries and recreation centers in Korea scheduled special programs and guest speakers to observe Black History Week starting on 10 Jan. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).) It is debatable whether the action was effective in defusing the tense racial situation. Many whites thought it was appeasement to the blacks. However, it did show that the USFK was taking the situation seriously -- and that punishment for future racial incidents would be handled harshly -- whether by black or white military personnel. The racial situation had strained military discipline within Korea to the limit.
  
  Following a visit to the 2d ID, 38th ADA Brigade, and USAG-Y, Col Ernest R. Frazier, DA's Director of Equal Opportunity, reported that progress was being made to achieve racial harmony. He emphasized command involvement as the contributing factor to Eighth Army's improvement while placing the blame for the incidents in the fall of 1973 on a small faction of militants. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).) By stating that it was a "small faction of militants" the Army was stating that its unofficial policy to remove these "militants" from the military through discharges because of their impacts to "good order and discipline." In 1973 the US Army switched to the "all volunteer Army" meaning that individuals who were "malcontents" were given early outs. The same was true throughout the military world-wide. The Vietnam War was over and those individuals identified as "militants" with disciplinary problems would be discharged as soon as possible under "early-out" programs.
  
  Surprisingly after the episodes of racial tension in Korea between Korean nationals and blacks, a Pentagon study announced on 17 Dec 75 revealed that the 2d ID has a greater ratio of blacks, 30.1 percent, than any other active Army division. It was reported that blacks consider Korea a good country with very little racial prejudice. The study shows that blacks comprise 31.7 percent of all first-term reenlistments, and that black strength in the Army rose from 17 to 22 percent between 1 Jul 72 and 1 Jan 75. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1975).)
  
  In Jun 1974, Secretary of the Army Calloway stated the first year of the all volunteer Army was a "great success" in meeting its personnel goals. The Department of the Army end FY74 objective of 782,500 men and women in uniform was exceeded by 1,500. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).) As a side note, the study in 1975 that a large portion of the quota being filled were blacks.
  
  Black marketing continued to be a major problem. On 12 Feb 74 a task force of 100 ROK customs agents and policemen raided Seoul's South Gate (Namdaemun) black market area. Five truckloads of electrical appliances, cosmetics and food items, most of which were obtained from PXs and commissaries, were confiscated. On 16 Feb 74 the USFK announced that purchasing controls on exchange and Class VI beverages lifted at the end of 1973 would be reinstated to curtail an illegal flow of goods to the Korean economy. The new ration limits for individuals and families were once again set at only eight cases of beer and a like amount of soft drinks monthly. On 1 Jun 74 the ROK government instituted a month-long publicity campaign and grace period prior to a scheduled 1 Jul 74 crackdown on black market activitites. In 1973 contraband transactions in Korea totaled 70 billion won ($175 million). (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).)
  
  A comparison of the Korean military pay structure provides some insight into how the American GI was still considered to be "rich" in the mid-1970s. In Feb 1974 a pay increase averaging ten percent for military personnel took effect. This raised a four-star general's monthly salary to 188,000 won ($470), a colonel's to 92,700 ($232), and a captain's to 45,600 won ($114). Lower enlisted men were given benefits in lieu of pay raises. (Source: 8th Army Chronology (1974).) It also gives an insight into why there was so much corruption in Korea -- poverty breeds corruption. In 1974, Park Chung-hee fired 657 government officials and employees for corruption and "irregularities." Though no criminal charges were filed, it was the most wide-sweeping purge since he came to power in 1961. (SITE NOTE: The move to not file criminal charges against the individuals was a political ploy. It was to (1) ensure Park Chung-hee did not create permanent enemies with political connections; and (2) allow the same individuals to return to politically appointed seats of power in a few years. This is the political ploys used today. President Roh Moo-hyun appointed an invidual convicted and jailed in 2004 for political money laundering amounting to millions of dollars to a cabinet minister's seat in 2006.)
  
  However, the aid to Korea was about to stop due to strains over human rights abuses -- most singularly the kidnapping of Kim Dae-jung from Japan in 1973. The major financial assistance to the ROK was to stop in FY75. In 1973, the funding for the ROK military improvement programs were curtailed -- ostensibly because the involvement of the ROK in Vietnam had ended with the last of its troops returning in 1973. Part of that pact was that the ROK was allowed to retain the weapons provided to the ROK Army units that were used in Vietnam. US aid to Korea over the years totaled $11.592 billion, on of the highest amounts provided any country. That figure represented $6.041 billion in military assistance (not including US expenditures during the Korean War) and $5.551 billion in economic aid.
  
  Foreign aid to Korea was curtailed because the US felt that Korea's economy had grown to a level where it could accept more of its own defense. However, Park Chung-hee in creating the "chaebol" system (favored conglomerates) was pumping all of its monies into building up the ROK industries -- while relying heavily on US aid for its defense. The ROK was on the verge of entering the "Miracle of the Han" era -- and the US wanted to drawdown its forces and military aid to Korea.
  
  

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  51st Air Base Wing redesignated as 51st Composite Wing The 51st was redesignated a composite wing when it added a tactical mission on 30 Sep 1974. The Wing gained an F–4E tactical fighter squadron (36th TFS) and an OV–10 tactical air support squadron (19th TASS), but its support responsibilities continued under the direction of a combat support group. (Source: 51st FW History.)
  
  The 19th TASS was reassigned from the 314th Air Division to the newly designated 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) from the 51st Air Base Wing. Other units assigned to the 51st included the 36th TFS, 51st Combat Support Group; including the 51st Civil Engineering Squadron, 51st Security Police Squadron and 51st Services Squadron. On 30 Sep Colonel Glenn L. Nordin assumed command of the 51st Composite Wing. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)

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  1974 36th "Pucking Pup" Patch (Marvin Metzinger)

  36th TFS Assigned to 51st CW According to Fiends Website, "28 May 1974 ROK army general officers received back seat rides and witnessed close air support from F-4's."
  
  On 1 Jun 1974, the 36th TFS changed from F-4D to F-4E aircraft. The transition to the slatted, -556 modified F-4E took place between Jun and July. 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.
  
  36th TFS Converts to F-4E On 4 May 1974 in conjunction with planned Thailand withdrawal actions, HQ PACAF announced that the 36th TFS would convert to F-4E aircraft and the 19th TASS would convert to OV-10A aircraft. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) (SITE NOTE: In other words, the drawdown in Thailand meant that there was an excess of F-4Es at Korat RTAFB, Thailand that had to be redistributed as part of the post-Vietnam War drawdown.)
  
  Ted "Slick" Weir wrote in Feb 2008, "When I first arrived at Osan, the 36th TFS was part of the 3rd TFW in Kunsan. Col. Harry W. Schurr was the Wing Commander at the time, and Lt.Col. Fred 'Flyin Freddie' Cooper was the Squadron Commander. Our primary mission was sitting the Victor Alert with our F-4D's with air defense and conventional air to mud misssions being secondary."
  
  "In May and June we started receiving F-4E's from Ubon AB, Thailand. That summer the squadron transitioned to the F-4E's while maintaining the F-4D's and the SIOP commitment. By September we had a half a squadron of hard wing F-4E's and half a squadron of soft wing (slatted) F-4E's and had ferried all the F-4D's stateside to George AFB, CA. I remember it was a scheduler's nightmare that summer and fall, because of restrictions on who could and could not fly each type aircraft. Eventually all the hard wiing F-4E's were modified with slats in the Tainan IRAN facility. In September the 3rd TFW changed to the 8th TFW, and then the 'Pukin Pups' were split off to the newly formed 51st Composite Wing with the arrival of the 19th TASS and it's OV-10s. I seem to recall the 18th TFW RF-4's sending a detachment to Osan and sharing the greenhouse with us toward the end of my tour there. We had our first ORI in the new DOC in November of 74 barely 2 months after completing the aircraft transition and less than 2 months after formation of the new wing." (SITE NOTE: The Victor alert (nuclear) was part of the old 347th TFW SIOP that the 36th TFS picked up at Osan -- and the reason we speculate the 36th was never assigned to the 51st ABW until four years after it arrived at Osan. Air Defense and CAS were secondary missions. When the 8th TFW took over Kunsan, the nuclear SIOP for both Kunsan and Osan was moved to Kadena AB, Okinawa allowing the 36th to finally become a part of the 51st -- and allowed the 51st to be renamed a Composite Wing. At that time, the Zulu alerts (air defense) were again the primary mission.)
  
  The 36th TFS converted from the F-4D to the F-4E on 1 Jun 1974 just prior to it becoming a part of the 51st Composite Wing. The 36th TFS received its first F-4E on 25 Jun 1974.

  (SPECULATION) The move to equip the 36th TFS with F-4Es may have been influenced by the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) campaign to get the ROK to buy the F-4E. In addition, the F-4E missions were scheduled for replacement in frontline forces within the next few years by the F-15 (1975) and F-16 (1979). The key selling point under the FMS concept is "interoperability" meaning that the US forces stationed in the country flies the same aircraft as the host nation -- and the US guarantees that the availability of spare parts and technical training for the aircraft.
  
  On 3 May 1973, ROK President Park Chung-hee decided to purchase F-4E aircraft from the US to allow the ROKAF a mix of F-4E and F-5 aircraft. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) 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.)

  
  (L) Fiend Patch (1975-76) (R) Fiend Patch (1976) (Fiends Website)
  
  
  Fiend Patch (1980) (Fiends Website)
  
  

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  36th TFS "Fiend Sheriff on Wasp" Patch (Marvin Metzinger)
  
  Mystery 36th TFS Patch Marvin Metzinger wrote in Aug 2007, "This 'Fiend Sheriff on Wasp' patch is in the USAF history, but I have found no one who ever wore this patch. The 'look' is of the 1950-60's, but I've talked to pilots who flew with the 36th then, they don't recognize it. NOTE the name on the patch, Tac Ftr Sqdrn. That is also the period when the Sqdrn was a "Tactical Fighter Squadron" rather than Figher Bomber or Pursuit or just Fighter Squadron (current). I have no idea where it was used or why? Unless there was a 'Gunsmoke' type competion or some other special event? My guess is that it might be a 'test' patch for the time when the unit was changing from Kunsan to Osan or from F-4Ds to F-4Es? I don't know, but thought you might like to see it, in case you come across some mention of it."
  
  If anyone knows the history of this patch, please drop a line to us or the Fiends Website.
  
  

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  19th TASS transfers to 51st Composite Wing On 4 May 1974 in conjunction with planned Thailand withdrawal actions, HQ PACAF announced that the 36th TFS would convert to F-4E aircraft and the 19th TASS would convert to OV-10A aircraft. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980) In other words, the drawdown in Thailand meant that there was an excess of OV-10As, Thailand that had to be redistributed as part of the post-Vietnam War drawdown. These were intended to replace the O-2As Birddogs in Korea. On 4 Jun 1974 the 19th TASS was equipped with OV-10As but retained O-2 aircraft to maintain combat ready status.
  
  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 2 Mar 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. Detachment: 1, 19th TASS operated at Camp Casey, ROK from 15 Apr 1976 to 8 Jan 1980. 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.
  
  The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron flying the OV-10A Broncos was transferred from the 51st Composite Wing at Osan AB on 8 Jan 1980 and assigned to the 5th Tactical Air Control Group flying the OV-10A Broncos at Osan AB. 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.
  
  Converted in 1983 to the OA-37B "Dragonfly" twin-jet aircraft, only to switch back to the OV-10 two years later. It also flew the OA-37s because the ROKAF at Wonju was obtaining the OA-37s being phased out of the USAF inventory. Still under the 5th TACG, the unit moved to Suwon AB on 1 Aug 1989 and then back to Osan in 1990 for inactivation. (Source: AFHRA: 19th WS.)
  
  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. 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 chief 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."
  
  
  Diamond A (1970s): Used by 19th TASS in 1970s (SITE NOTE: Photo from Google Earth on Aug 2007. There have been many changes since the 1970s and is used only to illustrate the general locations. The 19th TASS gave way to the 25th Fighter Squadron with their OA/A-10 aircraft.)
  
  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. Marvin Metzinger wrote in Aug 2007, "The A diamond belonged to the 19TASS, they worked almost exclusively with the US and ROK Army, and were part of the 5 TAC Air Gp, 314 AD. We had very little contact with them and even their Sqdrn building was fenced off and required an escort to enter. Around 1980 they became part of the 51 wing (the Tac Air Gp went away) and merged some offices, like Stan/Eval and Wing Weapons. Then the units began to work together more closely and even had parties together. Prior to that, we hardly knew them and rarely met any of their aircrews or maintenance personnel. Like all FACs, they would deploy with the army units and be gone for weeks at a time. They sort of operated in their own little 'sphere' of operations, 5 TacAir Gp and 314 AD, during the 1970s.
  
  
  OV-10 Coming out of Osan Hangar (1979) (USAF Photo)
  
  
  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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  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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  Osan AB Developments On 14 Mar 1974, workers were able to occupy the new wing headquarters, Building 938, 51st ABW, for the first time. On 11 Apr 1974, CBPO operations began in Building 936.
  
  On 2 Jul a T-29 aircraft assigned to Osan AB, crashed into the sea off Taiwan, killing all three crewman. In 1975, the remaining T-29 at Osan AB was sent to the boneyard leaving Osan without any baseflight aircraft.
  
  

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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.

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  USFK Events 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 thetunnel 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 was 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 device 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.
  
  On 16 Oct 1974 the 22,000 member Korean employees union called for a general strike against all USFK installations to go into effect on 29 Oct unless USFK met its demands for a 40 percent wage increase to offset inflation. USFK had offered a 16.4 percent increase. On 29 Oct the Korean employees union accepted the 16.4 percent pay increase, effective 1 November 1974, which raised the average monthly salary level to 76,000 Won ($190) per month in base pay. (Source: HQ 51st Composite Wing (Tactical) Chronology 30 November 1940 - 31 December 1980)
  
  The ROK Government devalued its currency 20 percent -- raising the Won/Dollar floating rate from 400 to 489 Won to the Dollar.
  
  The United Nations General Assembly decided by a majority vote (61-43 with 31 abstentions) to maintain the UN military presence in the ROK until the Security Council decided otherwise.
  
  The US Congress trimmed the Administration's request for $250 million Fiscal Year 1975 military aid to South Korea to $145 million with a supplemental $20 million in the balance pending "restoration of human rights in the Republic of Korea."

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