ROKAF visits to strengthen friendship, learn from U.S. Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Thirty-three members of the Republic of Korea Air Force visited Hickam Air Force Base July 28 to tour the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, see how its aerial porters conduct day- to-day operations, and continue building the good relations the Republic of Korea Air Force has shared with the U.S. Air Force for decades. 

They stopped in Hawaii en route back to Korea after winning the Best International Team award at the Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., July 19-24. 

"This is a good chance for us to see the standardization and benchmark processes of the AMOW at Hickam," said Col. Soo Cheol Park, Chief of Protocol Branch, Republic of Korea Air Force Headquarters. "Because the C-130 and C-17 are U.S.-made aircraft, we are seeking to gain continuous knowledge and see new things as much as we can." 

It was also important for the U.S. Air Force members here to make sure the ROKAF members know they have mobility allies in the Pacific, said Maj. Christopher Buckley, 515th AMOW director of staff. Similarly, it's important for Air Mobility Command to put a face to Korean airlift brethren. 

The ROKAF was able to gain a better sense of Hickam AFB's capabilities and systems, Major Buckley said. 

"After the Rodeo in 2007, their plane broke and the Hawaii Air National Guard and 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were able to help with maintenance and parts," he said. 

The 515th AMOW controls, loads, unloads, and repairs Pacific en route mobility aircraft, whether military, commercial or foreign, to keep the mission moving with precise, reliable velocity. As the most geotraphically separated wing in AMC with 2,000 geographically-separated personnel in six operating locations, the 515th AMOW provides global command and control support for AMC 24/7. The maintenance operations center here supports mobility maintenance and provides C-5 and C-17 qualification training at the Regional Training Center. With a takeoff or landing every 30 minutes and 53 operational landings or departures per day, the 515th AMOW flies three and a half times more missions than any other main operating base, on average.

The more allied nations know about what we can do, the better it is for them and us because they know they can reach out to us and we can help, Major Buckley said. This leads to clear cooperation and understanding. 

"It was very important for us to discourse about operations within the wing," Colonel Park said. "It's also a good opportunity to expand our friendship with the U.S. Air Force." 

"This visit is right in line with PACAF and PACOM theater security cooperation goals in terms of like-minded Airmen from different cultures engaging each other," said Lt. Col. Fred Taylor, Pacific Air Forces international affairs Korea country director here. 

After their crew was able to rest and recover and depart to Korea, Major Buckley said it was particularly good because they got to recognize not only that there is an AMC wing in the Pacific theater but also how expansive and far situated it is in terms of locations, detachments, and groups. 

"They got a better understanding of mobility operations in terms of both command and control and aerial port," he said. "After their great success at the Rodeo, we wanted to greet them like rock stars and let them know, 'If you have needs, we will try to help you, and we can teach you at the same time.'"