Kunsan squadrons receive USMC forces

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dana Hill
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  In the midst of a local Operational Readiness Exercise, 8th Fighter Wing Airmen had the real-world opportunity to accept follow-on forces participating in a larger United States Forces Korea-led exercise.  

A Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules, landed at Kunsan Feb. 23, loaded with Marines and cargo from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines are here to participate in Key Resolve, a routine training exercise designed to train and evaluate Republic of Korea and United States Forces Korea's ability to accept U.S. Forces from outside Korea. 

According to Capt. Angel Betancourt, 8th Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel Flight commander the Personnel Deployment and Reception Function plays a huge part in accomplishing the accept follow on forces mission. 

"Here at the personnel reception deployment line we accept follow on forces, we are the integral part to make sure all personnel arrive and get processed," he said. "We do the last check before they go on to do their wartime mission." 

As the Marines inprocessed they were also set up with lodging arrangements and their initial meals ready to eat, or MRE issue said Capt. Betancourt. 

Captain Mike Carter, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer, handles the reception of all forces coming into Kunsan during exercises and war time. 

"Here at Kunsan it's all reception, we have to be able to pull in from different bases and integrate." said he said. "We bring in our sister services, and get everyone in here and in processed in a relatively short period of time." 

The Marines' arrival during the ORE gave the FSS and LRS Airmen the opportunity to receive actual people instead of simulating, as well as hosting sister servicemembers. 

"Normally in the Air Force we'll practice to receive Air Force personnel," said Capt. Betancourt. "With the Marines being here it helps us to learn how to accept other forces and help in the whole process of bedding down and providing any assistance that they need." 

More than 400 Marines will operate out of Kunsan during the exercise scheduled to run from March 9 to 20.