Operational Readiness Exercise tests Kunsan base defenders

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Defenders from the 8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, showed they are ready to defend the base during a peninsula-wide operational readiness exercise that began here July 12.

During the exercise, security forces Airmen have provided security across the base in manning defensive fighting positions, dispatching mobile fire teams throughout all sectors, positioning a 50-caliber fire team aimed at protecting the nearby seawall, and by using K-9 teams to inspect suspicious packages.

The week-long exercise has tested the squadron's response to base threats.

"Throughout the ORE so far, we have encountered probing, which was people off base spying on base operations; and hostile forces have attacked the base, taking over Big Coyote (a mountain on the south end of the runway) and a mission-critical facility," said Airman 1st Class Alex New, 8th SFS response force leader.

These exercises prepare Security Forces for their day to day operations as well as their wartime readiness.

"The exercises prepare everyone, especially our Airmen who have just arrived, for possible Security Forces scenarios," said Senior Airman Blake Greene, 8th SFS response force leader.
"We also learn from them because we can see where we can improve, how we can make less mistakes and be more tactical, faster and smoother."

The 8th SFS response to exercise scenarios is no different than war, Airman New said.

"If there's a threat to the base, we will take it out," he said.

This is what Airman Greene loves most about his job here.

"I love defending the base by looking out for the opposition forces and taking them out," said Airman Greene.