Country singer rallies the pack at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  During a tour of the Korean peninsula, U.S. country singer Darryl Worley made a special trip to visit the Wolf Pack, putting on a concert at Kunsan Air Base April 23.

"Hopefully, it was like we brought a little piece of home with us to Korea," Mr. Worley said. "Our music connects with them [Kunsan Airmen] and they seem to connect with the music."

And connect they did, as more than 250 Airmen from not only Kunsan, but also Osan Air Base, joined together to "rock it out" in true country style.

"This was the biggest turn out we've had in quite a while," said Duck Choi, Loring Club manager. "But it's all about the music and the crowd seemed to really enjoy it."

"Country music is men and women writing songs about what they've lived," added Mr. Worley. "It's called country music because it's the music of our country. It's music that spawns from every day real life."

Mr. Worley got to visit select pieces of the "real life" of Airmen here during his tour of the base. Notably, his favorite stop was getting to sit in the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"I do love the fighter jets and I got to sit in an F-16, so it was a cool day," he said. "We get to do a lot of shows for different branches of the military, but we haven't had a whole lot of chances to perform for the Air Force."

With numerous tours overseas, especially to the Middle East, Mr. Worley said this was his first real chance to thank Air Force servicemembers for all they have done for him.

"They've [Air Force] done a lot for us," he said. "Every time we've made trips overseas or to the war zone -- Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, you name it -- we've always traveled with the Air Force, and they've just been a real class-act. The Air Force really is just amazing."

Right on par with a former Air Force slogan, "Do Something Amazing," Mr. Worley said he understands the important role the Air Force plays in the defense of America.

But this defense doesn't come without sacrifice, as he said family is very important and it can be hard to be away from their support for such a long time.

"I know at this particular base most everyone is unaccompanied and very remote," Mr. Worley said. "It's hard to be deployed and be without your families."

Connecting with family back home, Mr. Worley explained is why he came to visit the Wolf Pack.

"We came from home and brought the message of support from the U.S.," he said. "And hopefully it'll make a difference for these guys [Wolf Pack]."

Mr. Worley said it's only "natural" for him to give back to those who've given it all as he comes from a family "who's got a pretty heavy duty military history." He also made it clear what made this trip to Kunsan so special.

"During my tour here at Kunsan, I got to go out and talk to some really interesting folks," he said. "I mean, I love the history here and I love the military; love the people who come out here and get the job done. So it's cool to come back and get a chance to do something for them. It comes natural to me to support our men and women in uniform."

As his ranking among his peers continues to soar, the country music star said he always makes time to show appreciation for all the U.S. military does for him and his family.

"We do this because we feel like it's the right thing to do and it gives us a chance to give back," Mr. Worley said. "It's an opportunity to say thank you."