U.S ambassador rides with the pack at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Kathleen Stephens visited Kunsan Air Base June 1 - 2 on her cycling tour of the Korean peninsula .

"I've been wanting to come back to Kunsan ever since I came here more than a year ago," she said. "But on this occasion I came here on my bicycle."

The tour began in Seoul, and along her way, the ambassador picked up several riders from Osan Air Base for their trip here to Kunsan AB. Then once here, nine outstanding Airmen from the Wolf Pack gave her the opportunity to "ride with the pack".

"We had to stop here in Kunsan, because I know about the Wolf Pack," the ambassador continued. "I know about the great spirit here, the important work that's being done here, and so I wanted to stop in and pay my regards to everybody in the Wolf Pack and say thank you for the job you're doing."

Ambassador Stephens said the bike ride would help her and the riders build on a sense of common mission, both on the road and in the ROK.

"This was a really cool experience, especially for me being so low on the totem pole," said Airman Aaron Fierros, 8th Maintenance Squadron conventional maintenance crew member. "The ambassador really showed how much she cares for the Wolf Pack and I think her humbleness positively contributed to base morale. I'm happy I was given this opportunity."

Even though the ambassador outranks all military on the peninsula, she showed her true colors of compassion and understanding during her visit and expressed her sincere interest in what the Wolf Pack means to continued relations between the U.S. and the ROK.

"I think everyone knows, including North Korea, that the Wolf Pack is committed to the security and defense of the Republic of Korea and the U.S., Korea alliance," she said. "And this is absolutely essential to my work. The last time I came here to the Wolf Pack, I received a wolf cranium that said, 'Ambassador Stephens when your work is done, the Wolf Pack is ready' and I know the Wolf Pack is ready."

"Your being ready helps me to do my work and my work, through diplomatic means, is to find a way toward peace and stability on the Korean peninsula without further sacrifice and lives," the ambassador added.

Ambassador Stephens said there was another way, too, the Wolf Pack supports her in her work.

"Your commitment to building lasting relationships with the Korean people," she continued. "I am so pleased to hear from so many people here at Kunsan with the lifting of the local curfew, the expanding opportunities to do things in the local community, that everyone here in the Wolf Pack is taking advantage of that and getting out and enjoying themselves and I encourage you to do as much of that as you possibly can."

Strengthening community relations has been a long-time Wolf Pack tradition, between the Good Neighbor Program and all the volunteer opportunities the base participates in, like visiting the orphans and volunteering as English teachers. This tradition continues with each new "class" of Airmen here at Kunsan. The ambassador talks about the importance of this and explains why sustained U.S. military forces in Korea are so significant to her and her colleagues.

"The Republic of Korea is a country that has really blossomed over the years after a terrible war," she said. "And it's blossomed because it has come to share some of the same values we have in the United States. So we want to strengthen this relationship and to do that we have to keep the Republic of Korea safe and continue finding more ways to cooperate with each other and that's the Wolf Pack's mission here."

But with a mission as important as that carried by all those stationed here at Kunsan, the ambassador stressed getting off-base and exploring.

"Enjoy your time in Korea," she said. "And really think about this as a place where we understand what our mission is here -- to build a stronger relationship with this great country and I hope while we do that, everyone who is assigned here to Kunsan will enjoy their time here and take away a sense of satisfaction from their service here."