Pool to be mission ready

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Water is an important aspect for survival, especially here on the South Korean Peninsula, which is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean.

Not only do we need it to quench our thirst, but also to sustain our 8th Fighter Wing mission. The 8th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape office uses the base pool to complete water-based training.

"This training is vital for the pilots because it instills confidence and teaches them the necessary skills to survive in an open water environment," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Millisor, 8th OSS SERE specialist.

Airmen can learn to properly separate from their harnesses, ensure proper use of their raft and learn "raft living" through this training. 

Some bases perform their water survival courses in the ocean. The funding was not available at Kunsan and would have required travel or other expenses such as renting or borrowing boats.

"The pool opening will help save the Wolf Pack money," said Millisor. "Had we not secured the base pool, we would have to take our pilots to Osan Air Base, ROK, to accomplish their training."

Not only does the pool allow the Wolf Pack to maintain its pilots' status to fulfill the base mission, but it is a morale boost to Airmen stationed remotely, as well.

"The pool is a great asset for the base because everybody loves it," said Hokun Sim, 8th FSS outdoor recreations aquatics manager. "Also, it provides a great fitness opportunity because we have people who train for triathlons."

Typically the pool season begins memorial weekend. However, due to budget cuts the pool remained closed until funding was secured. The Wolf Pack secured funding to beat the summer heat at the pool opening June 22, 2013.

Many of the training missions take the Wolf Pack near or over the ocean, and now not only can pilots be safe and certified, base members have somewhere to cool down and an additional fitness option.

For more information regarding pool hours, contact the fitness center at 782-4026 or outdoor recreation at 782-4833.