8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

Leadership from the U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing, Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group and the Army Corp of Engineers Far East District, cut the ribbon to reopen the flightline during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. The completion of the runway was a team effort, needing members from the 8th FW and Army Corp of Engineers to complete the project on time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

U.S. Air Force Col. Timothy B. Murphy, 8th Fighter Wing commander, provides the opening remarks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. During the five-month runway reconstruction project, more than 1500 concrete slabs were repaired or replaced to ensure Kunsan could continue projecting combat airpower.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

8th Fighter Wing leaders attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. With the ceremony complete, the U.S. Air Force 8th FW and Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group will conduct operations from Kunsan AB for the first time in five months. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Brandon DeBlanc)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

Col. Heather Levy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District commander, addresses the crowd during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen the runway at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. Before reopening the airfield, 1,500 concrete slabs had to be laid to repair damage caused by regular use and the natural elements.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

Col. Michael G. McCarthy, 8th Operations Group Commander, receives gloves and ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon during the reopening of the Kunsan Air Base flightline at Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. While flightline operations from Kunsan AB were suspended in April to repair the runway, the 8th FW continued to project airpower out of Osan Air Base and airfields around the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Brandon DeBlanc)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

Members of the U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing, Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group and the Army Corp of Engineers Far East District, gather and listen to the presiding officer during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated runway at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. Routine maintenance or repair is required for runway concrete due to everyday wear and tear from aircraft use and withstanding the natural elements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

U.S. Air Force Col. Timothy B. Murphy, 8th Fighter Wing commander, middle left, and Republic of Korea Air Force Col. Choong-Won Oh, 38th Fighter Group commander, share a moment after cutting the ribbon to reopen the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 30, 2023. With the ceremony complete, the 8th FW and ROKAF 38th FG will conduct operations from Kunsan AB for the first time in five months. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Brandon DeBlanc)

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8th Fighter Wing cuts open a new runway

Published Aug. 30, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick
8th Fighter WIng Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

After five-months and the replacement of more than 1,500 concrete slabs, leadership from the U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing, Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Far East District, reopened the Kunsan AB flightline during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 30.

With over 1,500 new slabs of concrete installed and all repairs complete, the 8th FW and ROKAF 38th FG will immediately begin conducting operations from Kunsan AB for the first time in five months.