Korean-American friendship

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. Robert Givens, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Col. Jae Hoon Choi, 38th Fighter Group commander, sign the Combined Defense Plan here April 23. The Combined Defense Plan is a security agreement between the U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force and Army to work in close corporation to provide additional support in the performance of air base defense operations at Kunsan. "I think it is very meaningful that the ROK and the U.S. contribute to defending the base and have an agreement on that, said Col. Choi about the significance of this signing. "Air Force Operations Command, ROKAF, views Kunsan Air Base as an exemplary base in Korea in terms of cooperation between the ROKAF and the USAF, the US Army. Based on this document signed by both sides, we proudly conduct combined defense, Col. Choi said. The purpose of this agreement is to establish air base defense operations and procedures specifically for the 8th Fighter Wing base defenders to work in alliance with ROKAF/Army during expanded operations. "We are happy to sign this agreement today. While we all wish for peace and hope to live a stable life here on the peninsula, we must always be prepared for the worst. You can take comfort in knowing that while you defend this installation we will take our planes and together and we will fight our enemies at the fence lines and in their homeland," said Col. Robert P. Givens, 8th Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)