AFN Korea serving America's best for 60 years

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  From the time you wake up to the time you go to work you can hear and see it. It is a very important part of everyone's daily lives here at the Wolf Pack and throughout Korea, and an important source for information and entertainment. What is it you ask? It's the American Forces Network Korea.

"American Forces Network Korea is a radio and television network that has been in Korea for 60 years," said Tech. Sgt. Tonia Morgan, detachment commander of Kunsan AFN. "We offer a way for local commanders to get their command messages out as well as serve as a news and entertainment source for Department of Defense, civilian and contract employees and their families overseas."

AFN has been on the frontline with commanders and troops since the height of the Korean War in 1950. As a matter of fact, the network's radio was used by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to demand that North Korean Gen. Kim Il Sung lay down his arms and surrender his armies. The network was used as valuable tool to assist in reaching a cease-fire agreement during the War.

Today, there are five AFN-Korea Networks which are still active on the peninsula located in Seoul, Osan, Daegu, Camp Casey and here at Kunsan. Here at Kunsan the AFN staff is dedicated to providing quality programming to Wolf Pack members.

"We want our audience to understand the unique mission at Kunsan and how the Wolf Pack Airmen Defend the Base, Accept Follow on Forces, and Take the Fight North," said Tech.Sgt. Tonia Morgan. "When we choose a topic we are looking at a few things. First and most importantly how does the unit or people support both the Pacific Air Force and Wolf Pack missions? Then we look at how the subject reinforces the command's message? Finally, is the subject interesting and will people want to see this story?"

AFN has various ways of getting the message throughout the entire Air Force. They support the 8th Fighter Wing mission by providing a way for the commander to communicate directly with his personnel through weekly radio shows. They also provide broadcast news stories of personnel and units to PACAF and the Pentagon channel, making sure that the Wolf Pack story is going global.

AFN's mission is not limited to only delivering the commander's message. They also have a radio show which helps improve the morale of the base using various methods.

"I provide entertainment for the base through radio by playing music, providing contests for the audience to play, and informing them on the latest news/happenings here on base and back in the states," said Senior Airman Melissa Hay, broadcast journalist for Kunsan AFN. "I love giving away prizes to the audience. Who doesn't love free food?"

AFN has the opportunity to connect with their audience on many different levels. Whether it's through documenting a Kunsan member's job, showing their involvement with the local community, or providing music to listen to while they work on an aircraft.

"I do feel a connection with my audience, whether they are out driving around during work, in their dorm rooms, or at the gym," said Airmen Melissa Hay. "I feel like I'm controlling the background music of their lives at the moment, so I better make it good."

AFN's audience isn't just limited to Kunsan Air Base; they have a global audience that it reaches throughout the entire Air force. Stories that they broadcast reaches various military shows like Pacific Report and The Pentagon Channel.

"I have personally been told from an individual who is currently in Afghanistan watching our stories that I've never realized that there is so much going on in Kunsan," said Sergeant Morgan.

AFN always welcomes story ideas and encourages people to send requests for on air Wolf Bites, or commercials for a service such as campaigns the units are offering. If you would like to get in contact with AFN, you can contact Sergeant Morgan at 782-4373.

"We could not do our job without the Wolf Pack," said Sergeant Morgan. "Wolf Pack members do exceptional work every day and we are here to make sure the rest of the Peninsula and the Air Force know about it. We are here to tell the story."