Fresh faces defending Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Defending the base is of utmost importance to not only the installation commander, but also to all senior leadership across the Air Force.

Here at Kunsan Air Base, that mission rests squarely on the shoulders of the 8th Security Forces Squadron, which is primarily made up of first-term Airmen.

"It is so great to see all the energy and sincerity of the young Airmen and lieutenants arriving here fresh," said Lt. Col. Mark Anarumo, 8th SFS commander. "The excitement in their eyes and the expectations they have when they arrive on station keeps us, their leadership, on our toes."

Excitement like that shared by the new security forces members is integral to Kunsan AB's mission and the safety and security of the base. However, with more than 65 percent of Colonel Anarumo's squadron being first-termers at their first duty station, the training of these "fresh off the press" Airmen can be difficult.

"We're very fortunate we have such a strong NCO and senior airman corps," Colonel Anarumo said. "This close group of leaders and professionals provides the knowledge and skills our first-termers need to progress in their careers. Kunsan, being a remote-tour, gives them a unique opportunity to learn and take advantage of the many resources we have here."

Echoing Colonel Anarumo, an Airman from the security forces squadron talked about how good leadership positively influences how he and his fellow first-term Airmen progress in their careers.

"We have confidence in ourselves because our leadership gives us numerous opportunities to make decisions," said Airman 1st Class Adam Mathias, 8th SFS passenger and registration clerk and first-term Airman. "They treat us as adults and facilitate professional development on the job."

Airman Mathias, who is 20 years old, arrived here April 2010 immediately after having completed technical training. As with most of his comrades in arms, he joined the Air Force right after high school, "gung-ho and ready to fight."

As the base's first-line sentries and avengers, the 8th SFS first-termers engage in their workspaces sooner than most others across base, as they make up such a large percentage of their squadron.

"That's pretty challenging," said Master Sgt. Scott Marshall, 8th Fighter Wing career assistance advisor, "to have that many in upgrade training and still be able to fulfill the needs of the wing and major command."

But they do it and without error, Colonel Anarumo added.

With the Korean Peninsula still technically at war, but under a cease-fire agreement, first-term Airmen here are given a unique opportunity to train in a combat-oriented environment, but with the threat of an attack much less than what they could experience in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

"This place is excellent to learn your job," Airman Mathias said. "It spins you up really quickly -- especially for dealing with chemical warfare and contingency operations."

"Everything starts with secure contingencies," added Colonel Anarumo. "We know the rest of the wing's mission and this can't be completed; we can't accept follow-on forces or take the fight north if we aren't secure."

Taking the fight north means much more than just securing the base, but this is what they do -- this is who they are; they are security forces Airmen.

"I'm here to get the job done," Airman Mathias said. "I've learned a lot about myself personally, emotionally and physically, independent of my parents and support systems back home."

Airman Mathias said the "remoteness" of Kunsan AB really allows new Airmen to grow up quickly and provides numerous opportunities to grow not only as Airmen, but in their personal lives as well.

"This base is all about making connections," he said. "Kunsan allows you to interact with the local community, learn some Korean, volunteer to teach English and travel the country along the way."

According to Airman Mathias, being a first-term Airman at Kunsan AB and in a squadron where they make up almost 70 percent of the unit isn't so bad.

"Because we have so many new Airmen, we keep the squadron young and energetic," he said. "Kunsan is what you make of it. You can come here with a piss-poor attitude and be miserable, or you can be optimistic and go out and enjoy the Korean culture. Everything in life is what you make of it."