Gunsan officials award honorary citizenship to 7th AF Commander

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. David Herndon
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
GUNSAN, Republic of Korea --  More than 60 employees opened their doors to deliver a lively ovation and welcome to the city of Gunsan's newest honorary citizen, Nov. 17.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, 7th Air Force commander, traveled to Gunsan City to receive the honorary citizenship presentation from Gunsan City Mayor Dong Shin, Moon.

"This is another clear example of the level of the friendships developed over the years between our two countries," said the General. "It is also a testament to the ongoing partnerships between the 7th Air Force, the 8th Fighter Wing and the City of Gunsan."

The three units often partner for United States Forces Korea - Good Neighbor Program events, most recently holding the first partnership Air Show, which received more than 250,000 visitors.

According to General Wood, central to the everyday 7th Air Force and 8th Fighter Wing missions are the relationships with Korean partners.

"They are our allies with whom we train and good neighbors that we continue to grow with," said General Wood. "After 33 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, this event, along with the partnerships built and the great support from our Korean hosts are the culmination of my final tour here in the Republic of Korea."

Throughout the general's tour here one of his top priorities for 7th Air Force personnel has been continued participation in the USFK-Good Neighbor Program.

The programs stretches across the peninsula and aims to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance through programs that engage the local community, government, media, business, universities, schools, and ROK military in order to provide public understanding and appreciation for the U.S. mission here.

"For the Air Force and for certainly United States Forces Korea, our jobs are to create ties with communities; to ensure that the citizens of Korea understand that want to be good neighbors and ambassadors for the U.S.," said the General.

The general is scheduled to relinquish command of 7th Air Force to Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, Nov. 24 at Osan Air Base. General Wood will also transfer his roles as Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, Deputy Commander, United Nations Command Korea and commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command, to General Remington.

General Wood, a native of Gig Harbor, Wash., is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in the F-4, T-33, AT-38 and F-16, including 49 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.