News>Korean soldiers integrate into Bagram's base defense
Photos
Senior Airman Gary Farmer, of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, watches Staff Sgt. Jon Myung Jae, a South Korean security forces soldier, fire a non-lethal 40 mm sponge round during M203 grenade launcher training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 22, 2011. Members from the South Korean army security force have to qualify on a M203 grenade launcher before joining Bagram's base defense. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sheila Devera)
Senior Airman Gary Farmer (second from left) and Staff Sgt. Mason Flores, both from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, watch Staff Sgt. Jon Myung Jae (left) and Staff Sgt. Kim Tae Young, both South Korea security force soldiers, fire non-lethal 40 mm sponge rounds during M203 grenade launcher training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 22, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sheila deVera)
South Korean security forces soldiers take position before firing non-lethal munitions during escalation-of-force training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 22, 2011. The soldiers have to qualify on the M203 grenade launcher before joining Bagram's base defense. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sheila deVera)
by Master Sgt. Michael Voss
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
4/28/2011 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- South Korean special forces soldiers will begin standing watch at various security towers around the airfield here starting May 1.
The 30 South Korean soldiers are currently training with Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in preparation for South Korean integration into the base defense plan.
"This is the first time the Korean soldiers have actually secured a base in Afghanistan with the Americans," said Maj. Chul Woo, the South Korean security force company commander.
First planned in December 2010, the South Korean soldiers, with 20 more projected to deploy to Bagram by summer, will take over security of the towers around the Korean hospital here, which sees more than 200 Afghan outpatients each day.
"We are training the Koreans because they just got on the ground, and they are helping augment our force," said Capt. Timothy Slater, the 455th ESFS Bravo Sector commander. "It is pretty monumental; they have never supported us before. They are working with U.S. units in combat during this and future rotations to augment our forces, becoming an integral part of our base defense plan."
The South Korean soldiers began preparing for their deployment here months before making the 2,936 mile journey to Afghanistan, taking Dari classes to help with the language barriers and studying U.S. Air Force security procedural manuals.
"The Korean force assigned to these towers and guarding this base is very honored to work with the Americans," Major Woo said. "We would like to show the professionalism of the (South Korean) army."
Although current plans only call for the Korean security forces to be assigned here until 2012, Americans like Captain Slater are glad to see their addition to the base.
"The Koreans are very open about what they call the U.S./(South Korea) brotherhood," Captain Slater said. "They are big on letting us know how much they appreciate our help in their country and coming here and helping us here."
Training with the Korean soldiers provides the deployed Airmen the opportunity to step out of their normal routine of guarding towers and checking visitors to the base, instead allowing them to share their expertise with others.
"Our guys are so excited for this opportunity to be able to train military members of other countries," said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Dees, a 455th ESFS security forces member."It is giving them an outlook on being a cop that they may have lost. Because it is a partnership, they are going to stand on that post and ensure we are safe while we sleep."
In addition, the cooperation of the Koreans has allowed the stressed security forces career field the ability to free up manning for other crucial areas.
"Air Force wide, security forces are stretched pretty thin, but the coalition help takes some of the strain off the career field servicewide," Sergeant Dees said. "It also helps right here at Bagram. Their help is allowing us to free up some of our forces to help secure additional sectors."
But possibly the most important effect the Koreans have on Bagram is the addition of another uniform around Bagram's perimeter.
"Their presence alone definitely helps with the locals," Captain Slater said "Right now they see a U.S. uniform guarding the base, but as more countries help, it shows the enemy their fight is not simply with the U.S., it is with many different cultures."
Comments
5/11/2011 11:02:03 AM ET If there's one thing we can all appreciate it's a solid ally. And the ROK troops are as solid as they come. As someone posted on Facebook, I'd let the ROK troops stand security for me any day. Believe me, they are that good. I've seen them in action. As much as we appreciate our own, I think we should take a moment to send a salute and note of thanks to our allies. God bless 'em!
