Osan Air Base
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Osan Air Base, a base of the United States Air Force, in South Korea. The base is operated by the 51st Fighter Wing, but there are a number of tenant units, including the headquarters for Seventh Air Force.
There is also a large ROK Air Force operation on base.
The base was originally named Osan-Ni Air Base (with the alpha-numerical designation of K-55) when established in November 1951. Osan Air Base is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the United States in Korea, the other being Kunsan Air Base.
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[edit] Location
Osan AB takes its name from the city of Osan, which is actually 4.7 miles (8 km) to the northeast. Seoul is 40 miles (60 km) north. The base actually lies in the district of Songtan, which used to be its own city, but was incorporated into the city of Pyeongtaek some years ago. According to tradition, the base was named Osan, because of all the nearby cities it was the easiest for the Americans to pronounce.
[edit] History
On 5 July 1950 the first Korean War battle between North Korean and U.S. forces designated "Task Force Smith", was fought just a few miles north of the base.
It was here 56 years ago that nine soldiers from the 27th Infantry Division "Wolfhounds" died from fighting a bayonet charge up Hill 180 against the enemy.
Prior to its use as an air base, Osan's site housed an army regiment. Airplanes began to arrive at the base in 1952. Bombers from Osan provided support for United Nations ground forces during the conflict. After the conflict, Fifth Air Force advanced headquarters moved to Osan and remained until September 1954. The base was redesignated as Osan Air Base in late 1956.
The 51st Air Base Wing was relocated from Okinawa to Osan 1 November 1971. It has undergone several names changes but remains on the base as the 51st Fighter Wing, its current designation. The Wing is charged with executing combat operations, receiving follow-on forces and defending the base from attack.
Osan Air Base is also home to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Operations Command (AFOC) and the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade which controls the operations of all PATRIOT Missile Defense Systems in the South Korean Peninsula.
[edit] Life and Rules at Osan
Most US military members assigned to Osan AB serve a 1 year unaccompanied tour. If they accept KAIP they may serve longer and receive extra money (around $300/mon before taxes). If an individual is given command sponsorship, the tour may become accompanied, and they will typically live in base family housing, which is limited. If they live off base they will receive OHA. There is school facilities for families. Some families choose to come non command sponsored. They may use some of the facilities on a space available basis.
Under normal circumstances unaccompanied members live on base in the dorms, eat in the chow hall and receive a meal deduction. Members also receive COLA if living off base and partial cola if living in the dorms, which varies by rank, living situation, and dependants. E-7s and above may live off base, but most, including Senior NCOs and officers live in the dorms on base. There are many dorms on base due to the high percentage of members living on base. Unless Command Sponsored, E-7s and below may not have cars. There are many taxis both on and off base to accommodate them.
There is a peninsula-wide curfew for US military members which is typically 2400-0500 Sunday night through Thursday night and 0100-0500 Friday and Saturday nights. During those times all members must be either on base, or if off base, indoors where they will spend the night (this may be one's residence, a friend's residence, or a hotel), unless they are going to or from work to their own offbase residence and are in uniform. The 51st Security Forces squadron apprehends those who violate curfew and the member's own squadron initiates disciplinary action.
There are many bars and clubs off base and many base members spend much leisure time at them. They employ many juicy girls. If the bars do not abide by certain standards, the Osan Military Beverage Control Board may place them off limits to military members. This is usually done when the bar is involved in certain unlawful activities, particularly prostitution. The Town Patrol, a section of the security forces squadron patrols the area right off base to ensure the safety of military members.
Effective November 2004 all military members in Korea must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol.
Osan Air Base is known for having a large number of exercises and drills for all sorts of things-accidents, combat, chemical warfare, riots, SCUD treats, mass casulties, and even weather incidents.
One thing attractive about Osan is that there are no AEF cycles so you don't have to worry about going on a deplyment. Base Of Preference (follow-on assignment) is still in effect, service members should get to choose their next duty station prior to leaving the ROK.
[edit] Command Sponsorship
Command sponsorship is a big deal at Osan Air Base as well as all of USFK. Most tours to Korea are unaccompanied one year tours, meaning that if the families of those assigned want to live in Korea, there are things the military won't fund, but many they still will. The most significant is that they must arrange their own travel, and aquire a Korean visa (really not too difficult). There are many misconceptions within the military about unaccompanied tours, even at the command level, the largest is that housing won't be provided. In reality, if a dependent travels to Korea unaccompanied, the AF is still required by the JFTR to pay for housing up to the local OHA limit for the member's rank. In some countries, these restrictions make it difficult or impossible to reside with the member, but in Korea, there are a large nummber of non-command sponsored dependents living here. In fact, there are actually a number of benefits to choosing an unaccompanied tour over command sponsorship. Tour lengths for non-command sponsored dependents are generally one year here, and by making your tour only one year, a member qualifies fo a remote tour versus a "short" tour. This allows the member priority for the next assignment, whereas a "short" tour does not. C.S. families are also eligible to have priority access to the base medical clinic and the DODDS school. Most command sponsored service members are officers, or higher ranking enlisted personnel. Command sponsorship automatically extends the tour to two years if the sponsor elects to bring his/her family. Command Sponsored Contractors pay up to $18,000 USD per child to attend school on base, and Medical Facilities are on a cost reimbursable charge. Finally, non-C.S. dependents are not authorized to travel space-A unaccompanied. So in the end, the average couple without school-age children will often want a unaccompanied spot. The out of pocket cost is roughly just the round trip ticket, but you get to leave a year earlier, get the remote on record, and get assignment priority. Local medical care is fine, spouses may find that coveted first year of federal employment, and even those with kids many choose to home-school for a year. Seoul is close, modern, and a nice city. The culture is rich, and even if you homeschool, the lessons your kids will learn by living around a foreign culture are valuable and something that can't be taught in the States.
[edit] Space A
Below are the places which frequently have flights to and from Osan AB
[edit] Units
- 7th Air Force
- 51st Fighter Wing
- 731st Mobility Squadron
- 33d Rescue Squadron
- 3d Battlefield Coordination Detachment
- 607th Air Intelligence Squadron
- 554th Red Horse Squadron
- 607th Weather Squadron
- 1-43 Air Defense Artillery Battlion (Charlie and Delta Battery)
- 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
[edit] Aircraft
[edit] Present
[edit] Former
[edit] Facilities
Some of the facilities at Osan Air Base. All facilities accept US Dollars and many accept South Korean won, the BX and Commissary are two notable exceptions. With the excpetion of the US Post Office, pennies (1 cent pieces) are not circulated. All transactions are rounded up or down to the nearest nickel when giving change.
- BX
- Shopette
- Commissary
- Dining facilities (Chow Halls)
- Ginko Tree
- Pacific House (Pac House)
- Restaurants and other establishments
- Chili's
- Checkertails
- Burger King
- Oriental House
- Popeye's Chicken
In the BX Mall
At the Clubs (There are 2 enlisted clubs: The Challenger Club and the Mustang club, there is one officer club)
- Flying M Steak House
- Bella Panini's
- Challenger Club
- Black Cat Loungee
- Recreation Facilities
- Gym (open 24 hours)
- Mustang Pool (indoor)
- Defender Pool (outdoor- seasonal)
- Paintball Court (small)
- Golf Course
- Bowling Alley (w/restaurant) "Mig Alley"
- Movie Theater
- Other facilities
- Library
- Community center
[edit] Things to Do
The notion that "there is nothing to do here" is a common complaint at Osan AB. Aside from the above mentioned on base facilities, there are numerous things to do in Korea on one's days off. There are multiple ways of getting around Korea from Osan AB. Most of the interesting things are in the vicinity of Seoul.
[edit] Taking The Subway
The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is a modern and convenient public transportation system. Songtan Station is serviced by Seoul Subway Line 1, although once it is out of Seoul, it is not really a subway. Using the system is generally considered convenient. Click here for an all English page and a map. Although the system may look like a sprawling mad labryinth, it is convenient to the Seoul traffic patterns, and most stations are accessible within one or two transfers. The Songtan station can be found by going out the main gate, making a right on the first road, then a left on the next road; aftr a couple of blocks there is a bridge (this bridge goes over the train tracks) - but don't go over the bridge; rather turn right and follow the streets and alleys until you see a sign saying "Songtan station", it is there on the left. If you cross a big street, you have gone too far.
Be sure you know at which station you will want to get off. Go to the ticket window and tell them the name of the station, and they will tell you the price. Most destinations will cost between 900 and 1500 won. Go through the ticket checker, place your ticket into the machine and be sure to retrieve it out the other side. The platform going towards Seoul is on the left.
It is important to know the name of the stop you want to get off, and the name of the last stop on the line as you can know which train to get. You need to hold on to your ticket until you reach your destination. If you need to transfer, simply get off the train at the transfer station and then find the way to the platform of the next train. Be sure you have the right train going in the right direction.
When you get to the last station, you will go through the same ticket checkers (some are turnstyles, some are not), insert your ticket and the machine will keep it.
Most things on the subway are written in both Korean and English. Be sure that you have a subway map on you. They are also posted above the doors on the subways. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Many Koreans are eager to help a foreigner, and it provides a good chance to practice their English. Some subway stations can be very complicated, and it is important to be sure that you are on the correct train.
Each train has multiple cars, and they are connect so one can go from one car to the next. The seats are both ends of each car are reserved for the elderly, handicapped, and pregnant women. Even if the car is full, it is important to leave those spaces for them. Women with small children frequently use them as well. The subway can be a very crowded place, especially during rush hour. Koreans are used to a tight squeeze in a way uncomfortable for many Americans. Don't be offended if people shove slightly or ask you scoot over- that is life on the subway. There are salesmen who peddle their wares on the subway, sometimes at a good deal. If you are not interested simply ignore them. They will usually stand in the middle of the car and talk loudly. Others, especially those who are deaf, will hand an item and an information card to everyone. Those who wish to purchase pull out their money, those who do not simply return the item. Many people also beg on the subway, especially blind people. Frequently they will sing, or carry a tape player with music playing. If you wish to give, just put some money (Korean currency) in their bowl, if not, just be sure to stay out of their way.
The Korean subway system is generally safe, clean, and timely, even late at night. Some schedules alter slightly at night and some lines stop running altother, so if you are staying out late, be sure that you know the schedule and know how to get back home.
[edit] Taking the Buses and Trips
There are a few different bus systems available from the Osan AB area: The local bus system (which will not be discussed here), the express bus system (for going to Seoul, and other far places), the ITT buses, and the military buses from one base to another.
The express bus system can be a convenient way to get to Seoul, or to other destinations. The bus station can be found by going out the main gate, making a right on the first road, a left on the next road (don't cross the street), and following that road over the bridge, past the light, up the hill and down the hill, and it will be there on the corner. The building doesn't look much like a bus station, so be sure to keep an eye out for it. Most people use the bus to get to Seoul. It is more expensive than the subway, but can be faster depending on traffic and where you are going. The subway is pretty reliable, if traffic is good the bus is faster, if traffic is bad, the subway is faster. (In Korea when the traffic is bad, it is very, very bad.) The bus goes to "Nambu Bus Terminal" and from there the subway is very accessible.
ITT travel (on base) runs a bus service. Some of these are regular scheduled trips to Incheon International Airport and to Kunsan Air Base. They also sponsor day trips to places such as Soraksan mountain, and the DMZ (including the Joint Security Area).
Across the street from Turumi Lodge (billeting), adjacent to the "Arirang" Korean restaurant is a small bus terminal. Buses travel several times a day to Camp Humphreys and also to Yongsan Garrison. If your destination is near either one of these facilities, this may be the most convenient method of travel.
[edit] Places to Go
Most attractions in Seoul are easily accessible via Seoul Metropolitan Subway as Songtan Station is served by Seoul Subway Line 1 making it possible to conveniently get to other cities.
- Everland a Songtan bus goes straight there, or take the subway to the Suwon station, and an Everland bus departs from outside mall there.
- Lotte World
- Buraksan - a mountain with hiking trails at the edge of Songtan
- Seoul Grand Park, which includes Seoul Land and The Seoul Zoo. Take the subway north, transfer at Geumjung and get on line 4 to Seoul Grand Park station.
- Hwaseong, a fortress in the nearby city of Suwon. Take the subway to Suwon, outside of the mall there go to the tourist information, they will help you get on the right local bus.
- Namsan and its tower you can get on the cable car up the mountain by taking the subway to Line 4 getting off at Myeongdong. You can walk or get a cab from there. "Cable Car" is the Korean word for cable car.
- The ROK War Memorial, this is right next to Yongsan Garrison, it is also near the Samgakji station on line 4 and line 6.
- Korean Folk Village- take the subway to Suwon and get a ticket for the bus from the tourist information center outside of the mall.
- Namdaemun market- the largest and one of the oldest traditional markets in Korea. It is in Seoul near the Namdaemun gate. Take the subway to line 4 and exit at Hoehyeon station.
[edit] See also
[edit] Trivia
- Chuck Norris served here as a military policeman
