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Coordinates: 35°54′13″N 126°36′57″E / 35.90361°N 126.61583°E / 35.90361; 126.61583 (Kunsan AB)
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{{short description|Airbase in South Korea}}
{{Infobox military structure
{{Infobox military installation
| name=Kunsan K-8 Air Base
| name = Kunsan Air Base
| ensign=[[File:Pacific Air Forces.png|60px]]
| ensign =
| partof=[[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)
| ensign_size =
| location= Located near: [[Gunsan]], South Korea
| native_name =
| image= [[File:Kunsan air base with F-16s.jpg|300px]]
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| caption= F-16C Fighting Falcons over Kunsan AB
| location = [[Gunsan]], [[North Jeolla Province]]
| pushpin_map= South Korea
| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| pushpin_label=Kunsan AB
| country = [[South Korea]]
| pushpin_mapsize=230
| pushpin_map_caption=Location of Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
| image = Kunsan air base with F-16s.jpg
| alt = F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 8th Fighter Wing flying over Kunsan Air Base.
| coordinates={{Coord|35|54|13|N|126|36|57|E|name=Kunsan AB|display=inline,title}}
| caption = [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16C Fighting Falcons]] of the [[8th Fighter Wing]] flying over Kunsan Air Base.
| type=
| image2 = [[File:Pacific Air Forces.png|100px]]
| code=
| ownership=
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| controlledby= {{air force|USA}}
| type = US/ROK Air Force base
| condition=
| coordinates = {{Coord|35|54|13|N|126|36|57|E|name=Kunsan AB|display=inline,title}}
| built=1938
| builder=
| gridref =
| image_map =
| used=1938-Present
| materials=
| image_mapsize =
| demolished=
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| battles=
| pushpin_map = South Korea # Asia # North Pacific
| events=
| pushpin_mapsize =
| past_commanders=
| pushpin_map_alt =
| garrison= [[File:8thfw-emblem.jpg|60px]]<br>[[8th Fighter Wing]] (USAF)
| pushpin_map_caption =
| occupants=
| pushpin_relief = y
}}
| pushpin_image =
{{Infobox airport
| pushpin_label = Kunsan AB
| name = Airfield information
| pushpin_label_position =
| IATA =
| pushpin_mark = Roundel of South Korea.svg
| pushpin_marksize = 20
| ownership = <!-- government department such as the MoD or the United States DoD -->
| operator = *[[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]
*[[Republic of Korea Air Force]]
| controlledby = *[[Pacific Air Forces]] (USAF)
*Air Combat Command (ROKAF)
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date|1938}}
| used = 1938 – present <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder =
| materials =
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition = Operational
| battles =
| events =
| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Christopher B. Hammond
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = *[[8th Fighter Wing]] (USAF)
* 38th Fighter Wing (ROKAF))
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations =
| website = {{Official URL}}
<!-- begin airfield information -->
| IATA = KUV
| ICAO = RKJK
| ICAO = RKJK
| elevation-f = 29
| FAA =
| elevation-m = 9
| TC =
| LID =
| website = {{URL|http://www.kunsan.af.mil/}}
| GPS =
| WMO = 471410
| elevation = {{Convert|9|m|0}}
| r1-number = 18/36
| r1-number = 18/36
| r1-length-m = 2,743
| r1-length = {{Convert|2,743|m|0}}
| r1-length-f = 9,000
| r1-surface =
| r1-surface = Concrete
| h1-number =
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| footnotes = Source: [[DAFIF]]<ref name="WAD">[http://www.worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=RKJK Airport information for RKJK] from [[DAFIF]] (effective October 2006)</ref><ref name="GCM">{{GCM|KUV|source=DAFIF}}</ref>
| h1-surface =
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!-- end airfield information -->
| footnotes = Airfield shared with [[Gunsan Airport]]<br />'''Source:''' [[DAFIF]]<ref name="WAD">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110806063656/http://www.worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=RKJK Airport information for RKJK]}} from [[DAFIF]] (effective October 2006)</ref><ref name="GCM">{{GCM|KUV|source=DAFIF}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Kunsan K-8 Air Base''' is a [[United States Air Force base ]] located at '''[[Gunsan Airport]]''', which is on the west coast of the [[South Korea]]n peninsula bordered by the [[Yellow Sea]]. It is at the town of [[Gunsan]] about 150 miles (240&nbsp;km) south of [[Seoul]]. The town ('''군산시''' in [[Korean language|Korean]]) can be [[romanized]] as both ''Gunsan'' and ''Kunsan''. The United States Air Force uses ''Gunsan'' to refer to the town, and ''Kunsan'' to refer to the base.


'''Kunsan K-8 Air Base''' ({{Korean|hangul=군산공군기지}}) is a [[United States Air Force base]] located at [[Gunsan Airport]], on the west coast of the [[Korean peninsula]] bordered by the [[Yellow Sea]]. It is located in the town of [[Gunsan]] (also romanized as Kunsan), about {{convert|180|km}} south of [[Seoul]].
Kunsan Air Base is the home of the [[8th Fighter Wing]], "The Wolf Pack," assigned to the [[Pacific Air Forces]] [[Seventh Air Force]] and the 38th Fighter Group of the [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]. About 45 F-16 aircraft are stationed at the base.<ref>https://scout.com/military/warrior/Article/Army-Fires-New-Stryker-30mm-Cannon-Preps-for-Major-Land-War-108357646</ref> It is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the [[United States Forces Korea]], the other being [[Osan Air Base]].


Kunsan Air Base is the home of the [[8th Fighter Wing]], "The Wolf Pack," assigned to the [[Pacific Air Forces]] [[Seventh Air Force]] and the 38th Fighter Group of the [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]. About 45 F-16 aircraft are stationed at the base.<ref>https://scout.com/military/warrior/Article/Army-Fires-New-Stryker-30mm-Cannon-Preps-for-Major-Land-War-108357646{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the [[United States Forces Korea]], the other being [[Osan Air Base]].
== Units ==
The following major units are stationed at Kunsan Air Base:
* 8th Fighter Wing
** 8th Operations Group (Tail Code: WP)
*** [[35th Fighter Squadron]] (35 FS) (F-16C/D, Blue tail stripe)
*** [[80th Fighter Squadron]] (80 FS) (F-16C/D, Gold tail stripe)
** 8th Maintenance Group
** 8th Mission Support Group
** 8th Medical Group
*[[1st Air Defense Artillery|2-1 ADA]] (US Army, 35th ADA Brigade, 8th Army)
* Area Defense Counsel
* American Forces Network
* Army and Air Force Exchange Service
* Defense Commissary Agency
* [[U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations|Office of Special Investigations]]
* Republic of Korea Air Force
** 38th Fighter Group
*** 111th Fighter Squadron (111대대) (KF-16C/D - F-16 block 50/52)


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:7thafbases.jpg|right|thumb|Seventh Air Force Bases]]
[[File:7thafbases.jpg|right|thumb|Seventh Air Force Bases]]
[[File:F-84-522dfes-27fes-korea.jpg|right|thumb|F-84Gs of the 522d Fighter-Escort Squadron (27th FEW). When flying from short runways the heavily-loaded F-84s used [[JATO|Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO)]] bottles attached to the fuselage.]]
[[File:F-84-522dfes-27fes-korea.jpg|right|thumb|F-84Gs of the 522d Fighter-Escort Squadron (27th FEW). When flying from short runways the heavily loaded F-84s used [[JATO|Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO)]] bottles attached to the fuselage.]]
[[File:3bw-b26bs.jpg|right|thumb|B-26Bs of the 3d Bomb Wing]]
[[File:3bw-b26bs.jpg|right|thumb|B-26Bs of the 3d Bomb Wing]]
[[File:F-84-9thfbs-korea.jpg|thumb|F-84G-25-RE Thunderjet AF Serial No. 52-3249 of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing being refuelled over Korea, 1953]]
[[File:F-84-9thfbs-korea.jpg|thumb|F-84G-25-RE Thunderjet AF Serial No. 52-3249 of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing being refuelled over Korea, 1953]]
The history of Kunsan Air Base dates back to 1938, when [[Japan]]ese forces occupying Korea built a base near Kunsan for fighter-interceptor aircraft.
The history of Kunsan Air Base dates back to 1938, when [[Japan]]ese forces occupying Korea built a base near Kunsan for fighter-interceptor aircraft.


The [[United States]] first used the base in 1945, but on a very small scale. From 1945 to 1950, the [[United States Army|Army]] and later the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] intermittently operated small detachments from Kunsan, with these detachments maintaining liaison aircraft. At most these detachments contained a handful of people. When the United States pulled its combat units out of the [[Republic of Korea]] in 1949, it left only a Military Assistance Advisory Group in the country, and the periodic detachments at Kunsan became even more infrequent.
The [[United States]] first used the base in 1945, but on a very small scale. From 1945 to 1950, the [[United States Army|Army]] and later the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] intermittently operated small detachments from Kunsan, with these detachments maintaining liaison aircraft. At most these detachments contained a handful of people. When the United States pulled its combat units out of [[South Korea]] in 1949, it left only a Military Assistance Advisory Group in the country, and the periodic detachments at Kunsan became even more infrequent.


=== Korean War ===
=== Korean War ===
When the [[Korean War]] broke out on 25 June 1950, Kunsan Air Base had no United States flying units assigned. In their rapid advance, the invading [[North Korea|North Koreans]] captured Kunsan Air Base on 13 July 1950.
When the [[Korean War]] broke out on 25 June 1950, Kunsan Air Base had no United States flying units assigned. In their rapid advance, the invading [[North Korea]]ns captured Kunsan Air Base on 13 July 1950.


The [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division]] retook Kunsan in October 1950, and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20090116113609/http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/korean_war/korean_war_campaigns/ccf_intervention_110350_012451.html Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) Intervention Campaign] that winter failed to push far enough south to put Kunsan in jeopardy. United States forces first operated in significant numbers from the base in 1951.
The [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division]] retook Kunsan in October 1950, and the [[Third Battle of Seoul|Chinese intervention]] that winter failed to push far enough south to put Kunsan in jeopardy. United States forces first operated in significant numbers from the base in 1951.


The first Air Force unit to be assigned to the base was the [[27th Fighter Wing|27th Fighter-Escort Wing]], which arrived on 1 April 1951. The 27th Fighter Escort Wing was one of the first F-84 units to see combat action in Korea and earned numerous honors and awards for their combat record during the Korean War.
The first USAF unit to be assigned to the base was the [[27th Fighter Wing|27th Fighter-Escort Wing]], which arrived on 1 April 1951. The 27th Fighter Escort Wing was one of the first [[Republic F-84 Thunderjet|F-84 Thunderjet]] units to see combat action in Korea and earned numerous honors and awards for their combat record during the Korean War.


Improvements to the base were needed, however, to accommodate jet fighters. The 27th FEW was reassigned at the end April and The Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a {{convert|5000|ft|m}} runway to replace the sod runway constructed by Japanese. This runway is now known as Taxiway Charlie (06/24). By August, construction had progressed to the point that heavier units could be based at Kusan and the Air Force assigned the [[3rd Wing|3rd Bombardment Wing]] to Kunsan.
Improvements to the base were needed, however, to accommodate jet fighters. The 27th FEW was reassigned at the end April and the Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a {{convert|5000|ft|m}} runway to replace the sod runway constructed by Japanese. This runway was known as Taxiway Charlie (06/24). By August, construction had progressed to the point that heavier units could be based at Kusan and the USAF assigned the [[3rd Wing|3rd Bombardment Wing]] to Kunsan.


The 3rd Bomb Wing consisting of the 8th, 13th and 90th Bomb Squadrons flew the [[A-26 Invader|Douglas B-26 Invader]] bomber during the war, remaining at Kunsan from August 1951 until October 1954. A [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] aviation squadron, [[VMF(N)-513]], arrived in April 1952, and a few months later the base added the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, which included three squadrons of F-84 fighters, bringing the total size of the operation to one wing, one group, and a Marine fighter squadron. The 474th bombed and strafed such targets as bunkers, troops, artillery positions, bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power plants, and sometimes escorted bombers that attacked munitions factories and other objectives.
The 3rd Bomb Wing consisting of the 8th, 13th and 90th Bomb Squadrons flew the [[A-26 Invader|B-26 Invader]] bomber during the war, remaining at Kunsan from August 1951 until October 1954. A [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] aviation squadron, [[VMF(N)-513]], arrived in April 1952, and a few months later the base added the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, which included three squadrons of F-84 fighters, bringing the total size of the operation to one wing, one group, and a Marine fighter squadron. The 474th bombed and strafed such targets as bunkers, troops, artillery positions, bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power plants, and sometimes escorted bombers that attacked munitions factories and other objectives.


In April 1953, the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group returned to the United States and was replaced by the [[49th Fighter Wing|49th Fighter-Bomber Wing]], also flying the F-84.
In April 1953, the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group returned to the United States and was replaced by the [[49th Fighter Wing|49th Fighter-Bomber Wing]], also flying the F-84.
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=== Cold War ===
=== Cold War ===
After hostilities ceased, the base began to draw down. The F-84 forces of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing left in November 1953, and by October 1954 the host unit of the base, the 3d Bombardment Wing, also departed. This left the base with a much-reduced mission. From 1953 to 1954, the 808th and 841st Engineering Aviation Battalions constructed what is today’s main runway. For the next several years Kunsan merely hosted periodic rotations of fighter and light bomber squadrons, with base facilities maintained and operated by an air base group. during 1957 and 1958 the base hosted squadrons from
After hostilities ceased, the base began to draw down. The F-84 forces of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing left in November 1953, and by October 1954, the host unit of the base, the 3d Bombardment Wing, also departed. This left the base with a much-reduced mission. From 1953 to 1954, the 808th and 841st Engineering Aviation Battalions constructed what is today's main runway. For the next several years Kunsan merely hosted periodic rotations of fighter and light bomber squadrons, with base facilities maintained and operated by an air base group. During 1957 and 1958 the base hosted squadrons from Japan temporarily. During 1957–1958, a [[Republic of Korea Air Force]] (ROKAF) [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86 Sabre]] crashed into the Yellow Sea south of the base after having a flame out and a USAF [[North American F-100 Super Sabre|F-100 Super Sabre]] crashed in the rice paddies north of the base. The base remained a radar site as a backup during this time to Osan, until the Radar site was turned over to the ROKAF in mid 1958. The Osan detachment on the base also maintained a radio relay site from a hill on the base. Then the base remained relatively dormant, hosting temporary deployments of flying units and serving as a safe haven base for aircraft evacuated from Okinawa and Guam during typhoons. In 1965, the ROKAF assigned a squadron of F-86 fighters to the base. This ROKAF unit was the only permanently assigned flying contingent at Kunsan until after the [[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|Pueblo incident]] in 1968.
[[File:F-4E-67-0231-16tfs-02APR70.jpg|300px|thumb|McDonnell Douglas F-4E-34-MC Phantom AF Serial No 67-0231 of the 16th Tactical Fighter Squadron on TDY from [[Eglin AFB]] Florida – Attached to 354th TFW at Kusan AB South Korea – April 1, 1970]]
Japan temporarily. Any runway extensions or new billeting were built after 1958. During the period 1957 summer and 1958 summer sad to say, two aircraft were lost. A Korean F86 crashed into the Yellow Sea south of the base after having a flame out, and an American pilot in an F100 crashed in the rice paddies north of the base, for some reason not able to clear the crash barrier on take off. The base remained a radar site as a back up during this time to Osan, until the Radar site was turned over to the ROKAF in mid 1958. During this time the base would also host an occasional RB-57
At an unknown date in this time frame, the US Army 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade assigned Battery B, 6th Battalion, [[44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment]], a [[MIM-23 Hawk|HAWK]] missile unit to the base. The Tactical Operations site was located on a hill just off the coast, but near the base. Its mission was to defend the base from air attack. The HAWK site and all hardware was turned over to the Korean Army sometime in the early 1990s.
aircraft doing security overflights in the area. The Osan detachment on the base also maintained a radio relay site from a hill on the base. Then the base remained relatively dormant, hosting temporary deployments of flying units and serving as a safe haven base for aircraft evacuated from Okinawa and Guam during typhoons. In 1965, the [[Republic of Korea Air Force]] assigned a squadron of F-86 fighters to the base. This ROKAF unit was the only permanently assigned flying contingent at Kunsan until after the [[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|Pueblo incident]] in 1968.
[[File:F-4E-67-0231-16tfs-02APR70.jpg|300px|thumb|McDonnell Douglas F-4E-34-MC Phantom AF Serial No 67-0231 of the 16th Tactical Fighter Squadron on TDY from [[Eglin AFB]] Florida - Attached to 354th TFW at Kusan AB South Korea - April 1, 1970. In 1980, this aircraft was sold to the Egyptian Air Force.]]
At an unknown date in this time frame, the US Army 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade assigned Battery B, 6th Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Group, a HAWK missile unit to Kunsan AB. The Tactical Operations site was located on a hill just off the coast, but near the base. Its mission was to defend the base from air attack. The Hawk site and all hardware was turned over to the Korean Army sometime in the early 1990s.
After the Pueblo was captured by the North Koreans in 1968;the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Korea on January 25, 1968; Under the command of Col. Jack Hayes; F-4Ds arrived at Kunsan on January 29, 1968. In March Col. Hayes was replaced by Col. Chuck Yeager, the 4th remained in Korea until replaced by 354th.
The [[354th Fighter Wing|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]], consisting of the Kansas Air National Guard (ANG) and a few members of the DC-ANG flying the F-100 Super Sabre, arrived at Kunsan in July 1968, as part of the buildup of forces in Korea in the wake of the 1968 seizure of the [[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|USS Pueblo]] by the North Koreans. In 1969 the wing began a transition from the F-100 to the F-4 Phantom. The 354th remained until June 1970, when the base again returned to hosting temporary deployments, such as the four-month activation of the [[54th Tactical Fighter Wing]] from June through October 1970.


After the USS ''Pueblo'' was captured by the North Koreans in January 1968, the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Korea on January 25, 1968. Under the command of Col. Jack Hayes, [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4D Phantom IIs]] arrived at Kunsan on January 29, 1968, as part of [[Operation Combat Fox]]. In March, Col. Hayes was replaced by Col. [[Chuck Yeager]], the 4th remained in Korea until replaced by the [[354th Fighter Wing|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]]. The 354th TFW consisting of the [[Kansas Air National Guard]], the [[Ohio Air National Guard]], (ANG) and a few members of the [[District of Columbia Air National Guard]] flying the F-100, arrived at Kunsan in July 1968, as part of the buildup of forces in Korea. In 1969, the wing began a transition from the F-100 to the F-4 Phantom. The 354th remained until June 1970, when the base again returned to hosting temporary deployments, such as the four-month activation of the [[54th Tactical Fighter Wing]] from June through October 1970.
The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, previously designated the 3d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Kunsan in the early 1950s, arrived in March 1971 to assume control of the base. Like the 354th and 54th, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing flew the F-4 Phantom. Aircraft came primarily from Misawa AB Japan, 475th Tactical Fighter Wing after it was inactivated and as were most of the personnel initially assigned to the 3rd TFW. When it first activated in May, the wing contained the 35th, [[36th Fighter Squadron|36th, and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons]], mainly consisting of assets from the 391st, 392nd, and 393rd Tactical Fighter Squadrons, formerly belonging to the 475thTFW. In September, the 36th TFS transferred to Osan AB Korea.


The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, previously designated the 3d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Kunsan in the early 1950s, arrived in March 1971 to assume control of the base. Like the 354th and 54th, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing flew the F-4 Phantom. Aircraft came primarily from Misawa AB Japan, [[475th Tactical Fighter Wing]] after it was inactivated and as were most of the personnel initially assigned to the 3rd TFW. When it first activated in May, the wing contained the [[35th Tactical Fighter Squadron|35th]], [[36th Fighter Squadron|36th]] and [[80th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]. In September, the 36th TFS transferred to Osan AB.
In September 1974 the [[8th Fighter Wing|8th Tactical Fighter Wing]], the "Wolf Pack," was transferred from [[Ubon Air Base]], [[Thailand]] to replace the 3rd at Kunsan. The move took place in name only, as the 8th moved without personnel or equipment, absorbing all assets of the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing. This included the two flying squadrons, which continued to operate as the 35th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, reuniting the wing with two of its original squadrons.


In September 1974, the [[8th Fighter Wing|8th Tactical Fighter Wing]], the "Wolf Pack," was transferred from [[Ubon Air Base]], [[Thailand]] to replace the 3rd at Kunsan. The move took place in name only, as the 8th moved without personnel or equipment, absorbing all assets of the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing. This included the two flying squadrons, which continued to operate as the 35th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, reuniting the wing with two of its original squadrons.
Since then, the 8th has continued to serve as host unit of Kunsan Air Base, continually improving the base’s facilities over the years.


Since then, the 8th has continued to serve as host unit of Kunsan Air Base, continually improving the base's facilities over the years.
In February 2018 it was announced that following the construction of hangars and supporting facilities at the base, 12 [[General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle|MQ-1C Gray Eagle]] UAS' will be deployed to Kunsan in March/April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/02/20/2018022000915.html|title=U.S. to Deploy Attack Drones in Korea|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo|date=20 February 2018|accessdate=21 February 2018}}</ref>

In February 2018, it was announced that following the completion of construction of hangars and supporting facilities at the base, 12 [[General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle|MQ-1C Gray Eagle]] UAS' will be deployed to Kunsan in March/April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/02/20/2018022000915.html|title=U.S. to Deploy Attack Drones in Korea|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|date=20 February 2018|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref>


=== Major Commands ===
=== Major Commands ===
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===Major USAF units assigned===
===Major USAF units assigned===
* [[27th Fighter Wing|27th Fighter-Escort Wing]] (April 1951)
* [[27th Fighter Wing|27th Fighter-Escort Wing]] (April 1951)
* [[3rd Wing|3d Bombardment Wing]] (August 1951 - October 1954)
* [[3rd Wing|3d Bombardment Wing]] (August 1951 – October 1954)
* 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing (July 1952 - April 1953)
* 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing (July 1952 – April 1953)
* [[49th Fighter Wing|49th Fighter-Bomber Wing]] (April - November 1953)
* [[49th Fighter Wing|49th Fighter-Bomber Wing]] (April – November 1953)
* [[354th Fighter Wing|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (July 1968 - June 1970)
* [[354th Fighter Wing|354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (July 1968 – June 1970)
* [[54th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (June - October 1970)
* [[54th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (June – October 1970)
* [[3rd Wing|3d Tactical Fighter Wing]] (March 1971 - September 1974)
* [[3rd Wing|3d Tactical Fighter Wing]] (March 1971 – September 1974)
* [[8th Fighter Wing]] (September 1974–present)
* [[8th Fighter Wing]] (September 1974–present)


Kunsan has provided support for [[F-84|F-84G Thunderjet]], [[A-26 Invader|B-26 Invader]], [[F-86|F-86 Sabre]], [[RF-100 Super Sabre]], [[RB-57 Canberra]], [[F-100 Super Sabre]], [[F-4 Phantom II]], and [[F-16|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] operations.
Kunsan has provided support for [[F-84|F-84G Thunderjet]], [[A-26 Invader|B-26 Invader]], [[F-86|F-86 Sabre]], [[RF-100 Super Sabre]], [[RB-57 Canberra]], [[F-100 Super Sabre]], [[F-4 Phantom II]], and [[F-16|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] operations.

== Based Units ==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Kunsan Air Base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kunsan.af.mil/Units/|title=Units|website=Kunsan Air Base|publisher=US Air Force|access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref>

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Kunsan, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

=== United States Air Force ===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)'''

*[[Seventh Air Force]]
**[[8th Fighter Wing]]
*** Headquarters 8th Fighter Wing
***[[8th Operations Group]]
**** 8th Operations Support Squadron
****[[35th Fighter Squadron]] – [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16C/D – Fighting Falcon]]
****[[80th Fighter Squadron]] – F-16C/D – Fighting Falcon
*** 8th Maintenance Group
****8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
****8th Maintenance Squadron
****8th Maintenance Operations Squadron
*** 8th Mission Support Group
****8th Civil Engineer Squadron
****8th Communications Squadron
****8th Force Support Squadron
****8th Logistics Readiness Squadron
****8th Security Forces Squadron
*** 8th Medical Group
****8th Medical Operations Squadron
****8th Medical Support Squadron
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC)'''

* [[United States Air Force Expeditionary Center]]
** [[515th Air Mobility Operations Wing]]
*** 515th Air Mobility Operations Group
**** [[731st Air Mobility Squadron]]
***** Operating Location Alpha (GSU)

=== United States Army ===
'''[[United States Army Pacific|US Army Pacific]]''' ('''USARPAC''')
[[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]]
* [[94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command]]
** [[35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (United States)|35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade]]
*** [[2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment (United States)|2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment]] – [[MIM-104 Patriot]]
* [[65th Medical Brigade (United States)|65th Medical Brigade]]
*** 25th Transportation Battalion

=== Republic of Korea Air Force ===
'''Air Force Operations Command'''

* Air Combat Command
** 38th Fighter Group
*** 111th Fighter Squadron (111대대) – [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16C/D]] and [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants|KF-16C/D]]
{{Col-end}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|United States Air Force}}
* [[United States Forces Korea]]
* [[United States Forces Korea]]
* [[United States Pacific Air Forces]]
* [[United States Pacific Air Forces]]
Line 142: Line 216:
* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Refbegin|2}}
{{Refbegin|2}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090130025918/http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090130025918/http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present]
* Some of the text in this article was taken from pages on the [http://www.kunsan.af.mil Kunsan Air Base website], which as a work of the U.S. Government is presumed to be a [[public domain resource]]. That information was supplemented by:
* Some of the text in this article was taken from pages on the [http://www.kunsan.af.mil Kunsan Air Base website], which as a work of the U.S. Government is presumed to be a [[public domain resource]]. That information was supplemented by:
* Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
* Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
* Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}
* Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-53-6}}
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-89201-092-4}}.
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-89201-092-4}}.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-12-9}}.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-912799-12-9}}.
* Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. {{ISBN|1-85780-197-0}}.
* Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. {{ISBN|1-85780-197-0}}.
* Thompson, Warren (2000). B-26 Invader Units over Korea. Osprey Publishing {{ISBN|1-84176-080-3}}
* Thompson, Warren (2000). B-26 Invader Units over Korea. Osprey Publishing {{ISBN|1-84176-080-3}}
Line 163: Line 237:
{{USAF Korea}}
{{USAF Korea}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Bases of the United States Air Force in South Korea]]

[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in South Korea]]
[[Category:Gunsan]]
[[Category:Gunsan]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1938]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1938]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in North Jeolla Province]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in North Jeolla Province]]
[[Category:Korean War air bases]]
[[Category:Korean War air bases]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in Korea]]
[[Category:Military installations of Japan in Korea]]
[[Category:Airports in Korea under Japanese rule]]

Latest revision as of 17:18, 25 September 2024

Kunsan Air Base
Gunsan, North Jeolla Province in South Korea
F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 8th Fighter Wing flying over Kunsan Air Base.
F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 8th Fighter Wing flying over Kunsan Air Base.
Kunsan AB is located in South Korea
Kunsan AB
Kunsan AB
Kunsan AB is located in Asia
Kunsan AB
Kunsan AB
Kunsan AB is located in North Pacific
Kunsan AB
Kunsan AB
Coordinates35°54′13″N 126°36′57″E / 35.90361°N 126.61583°E / 35.90361; 126.61583 (Kunsan AB)
TypeUS/ROK Air Force base
Site information
Operator
Controlled by
ConditionOperational
Websitewww.kunsan.af.mil Edit this at Wikidata
Site history
Built1938 (1938)
In use1938 – present
Garrison information
Current
commander		Colonel Christopher B. Hammond
Garrison
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: KUV, ICAO: RKJK, WMO: 471410
Elevation9 metres (30 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
18/36 2,743 metres (8,999 ft) 
Airfield shared with Gunsan Airport
Source: DAFIF[1][2]

Kunsan K-8 Air Base (Korean: 군산공군기지) is a United States Air Force base located at Gunsan Airport, on the west coast of the Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is located in the town of Gunsan (also romanized as Kunsan), about 180 kilometres (110 mi) south of Seoul.

Kunsan Air Base is the home of the 8th Fighter Wing, "The Wolf Pack," assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Seventh Air Force and the 38th Fighter Group of the Republic of Korea Air Force. About 45 F-16 aircraft are stationed at the base.[3] It is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the United States Forces Korea, the other being Osan Air Base.

History

[edit]
Seventh Air Force Bases
F-84Gs of the 522d Fighter-Escort Squadron (27th FEW). When flying from short runways the heavily loaded F-84s used Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO) bottles attached to the fuselage.
B-26Bs of the 3d Bomb Wing
F-84G-25-RE Thunderjet AF Serial No. 52-3249 of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing being refuelled over Korea, 1953

The history of Kunsan Air Base dates back to 1938, when Japanese forces occupying Korea built a base near Kunsan for fighter-interceptor aircraft.

The United States first used the base in 1945, but on a very small scale. From 1945 to 1950, the Army and later the Air Force intermittently operated small detachments from Kunsan, with these detachments maintaining liaison aircraft. At most these detachments contained a handful of people. When the United States pulled its combat units out of South Korea in 1949, it left only a Military Assistance Advisory Group in the country, and the periodic detachments at Kunsan became even more infrequent.

Korean War

[edit]

When the Korean War broke out on 25 June 1950, Kunsan Air Base had no United States flying units assigned. In their rapid advance, the invading North Koreans captured Kunsan Air Base on 13 July 1950.

The 24th Infantry Division retook Kunsan in October 1950, and the Chinese intervention that winter failed to push far enough south to put Kunsan in jeopardy. United States forces first operated in significant numbers from the base in 1951.

The first USAF unit to be assigned to the base was the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing, which arrived on 1 April 1951. The 27th Fighter Escort Wing was one of the first F-84 Thunderjet units to see combat action in Korea and earned numerous honors and awards for their combat record during the Korean War.

Improvements to the base were needed, however, to accommodate jet fighters. The 27th FEW was reassigned at the end April and the Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a 5,000 feet (1,500 m) runway to replace the sod runway constructed by Japanese. This runway was known as Taxiway Charlie (06/24). By August, construction had progressed to the point that heavier units could be based at Kusan and the USAF assigned the 3rd Bombardment Wing to Kunsan.

The 3rd Bomb Wing consisting of the 8th, 13th and 90th Bomb Squadrons flew the B-26 Invader bomber during the war, remaining at Kunsan from August 1951 until October 1954. A Marine aviation squadron, VMF(N)-513, arrived in April 1952, and a few months later the base added the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group, which included three squadrons of F-84 fighters, bringing the total size of the operation to one wing, one group, and a Marine fighter squadron. The 474th bombed and strafed such targets as bunkers, troops, artillery positions, bridges, vehicles, airfields, and power plants, and sometimes escorted bombers that attacked munitions factories and other objectives.

In April 1953, the 474th Fighter-Bomber Group returned to the United States and was replaced by the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing, also flying the F-84.

During the Korean War, the large number of locations used for bases and the similarity of some geographical names prompted the Air Force to use alphanumeric identifiers for bases in addition to their proper designations. Under this system, each base in Korea received a "K number," simplifying positive identification when referring to the various bases. Kunsan received the number K-8, while Osan Air Base was also known as K-55.

Cold War

[edit]

After hostilities ceased, the base began to draw down. The F-84 forces of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing left in November 1953, and by October 1954, the host unit of the base, the 3d Bombardment Wing, also departed. This left the base with a much-reduced mission. From 1953 to 1954, the 808th and 841st Engineering Aviation Battalions constructed what is today's main runway. For the next several years Kunsan merely hosted periodic rotations of fighter and light bomber squadrons, with base facilities maintained and operated by an air base group. During 1957 and 1958 the base hosted squadrons from Japan temporarily. During 1957–1958, a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-86 Sabre crashed into the Yellow Sea south of the base after having a flame out and a USAF F-100 Super Sabre crashed in the rice paddies north of the base. The base remained a radar site as a backup during this time to Osan, until the Radar site was turned over to the ROKAF in mid 1958. The Osan detachment on the base also maintained a radio relay site from a hill on the base. Then the base remained relatively dormant, hosting temporary deployments of flying units and serving as a safe haven base for aircraft evacuated from Okinawa and Guam during typhoons. In 1965, the ROKAF assigned a squadron of F-86 fighters to the base. This ROKAF unit was the only permanently assigned flying contingent at Kunsan until after the Pueblo incident in 1968.

McDonnell Douglas F-4E-34-MC Phantom AF Serial No 67-0231 of the 16th Tactical Fighter Squadron on TDY from Eglin AFB Florida – Attached to 354th TFW at Kusan AB South Korea – April 1, 1970

At an unknown date in this time frame, the US Army 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade assigned Battery B, 6th Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, a HAWK missile unit to the base. The Tactical Operations site was located on a hill just off the coast, but near the base. Its mission was to defend the base from air attack. The HAWK site and all hardware was turned over to the Korean Army sometime in the early 1990s.

After the USS Pueblo was captured by the North Koreans in January 1968, the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Korea on January 25, 1968. Under the command of Col. Jack Hayes, F-4D Phantom IIs arrived at Kunsan on January 29, 1968, as part of Operation Combat Fox. In March, Col. Hayes was replaced by Col. Chuck Yeager, the 4th remained in Korea until replaced by the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 354th TFW consisting of the Kansas Air National Guard, the Ohio Air National Guard, (ANG) and a few members of the District of Columbia Air National Guard flying the F-100, arrived at Kunsan in July 1968, as part of the buildup of forces in Korea. In 1969, the wing began a transition from the F-100 to the F-4 Phantom. The 354th remained until June 1970, when the base again returned to hosting temporary deployments, such as the four-month activation of the 54th Tactical Fighter Wing from June through October 1970.

The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, previously designated the 3d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Kunsan in the early 1950s, arrived in March 1971 to assume control of the base. Like the 354th and 54th, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing flew the F-4 Phantom. Aircraft came primarily from Misawa AB Japan, 475th Tactical Fighter Wing after it was inactivated and as were most of the personnel initially assigned to the 3rd TFW. When it first activated in May, the wing contained the 35th, 36th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In September, the 36th TFS transferred to Osan AB.

In September 1974, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the "Wolf Pack," was transferred from Ubon Air Base, Thailand to replace the 3rd at Kunsan. The move took place in name only, as the 8th moved without personnel or equipment, absorbing all assets of the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing. This included the two flying squadrons, which continued to operate as the 35th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, reuniting the wing with two of its original squadrons.

Since then, the 8th has continued to serve as host unit of Kunsan Air Base, continually improving the base's facilities over the years.

In February 2018, it was announced that following the completion of construction of hangars and supporting facilities at the base, 12 MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS' will be deployed to Kunsan in March/April 2018.[4]

Major Commands

[edit]

Base operating units

[edit]
  • 27th Fighter-Escort Wing, (April – May 1951)
  • 931st Engineering Aviation Group (May – August 1951)
  • 3d Bombardment Wing (August 1951 – September 1954)
  • 6170th Air Base Group (September 1954 – April 1956)
  • 6170th Air Base Squadron (April 1956 – March 1959)
  • 6175th Air Base Group (March 1959 – August 1968)
  • 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (August 1968 – June 1970)
  • 6175th Air Base Group (June 1970 – March 1971)
  • 3d Tactical Fighter Wing (March 1971 – September 1974)
  • 8th Fighter Wing (September 1974 – present)

Major USAF units assigned

[edit]

Kunsan has provided support for F-84G Thunderjet, B-26 Invader, F-86 Sabre, RF-100 Super Sabre, RB-57 Canberra, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon operations.

Based Units

[edit]

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Kunsan Air Base.[5]

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Kunsan, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Air Force

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Airport information for RKJK[usurped] from DAFIF (effective October 2006)
  2. ^ Airport information for KUV at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. ^ https://scout.com/military/warrior/Article/Army-Fires-New-Stryker-30mm-Cannon-Preps-for-Major-Land-War-108357646[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "U.S. to Deploy Attack Drones in Korea". The Chosun Ilbo. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Units". Kunsan Air Base. US Air Force. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  • USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present
  • Some of the text in this article was taken from pages on the Kunsan Air Base website, which as a work of the U.S. Government is presumed to be a public domain resource. That information was supplemented by:
  • Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
  • Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  • Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
  • Thompson, Warren (2000). B-26 Invader Units over Korea. Osprey Publishing ISBN 1-84176-080-3
  • Thompson, Warren (2001). F-80 Shooting Star Units over Korea. Osprey Publishing ISBN 1-84176-225-3
[edit]
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