Kurt Weisel. An undisclosed number of establishments near Kunsan Air Base were inspected in April, ministry officials said. Clusters of airmen stand outside and smoke, and around the corner, where the diners turn into juicy bars, music is already starting to blare. A lot of them didnt like going outside the gate because of the seediness of the environment, and now thats been turned around.. Numerous bars, restaurants and clothing stores fill the shopping area. This tends to have poor results for a variety of self induced reasons. wplodge@outlook.com google_ad_client="pub-5023238660846020"; "Defend the Base (Hooah), Accept Follow on Forces (Bring it), Take the Fight North (Wolf Pack).". from around the world. Welcome to the official website of the 8th Force Support Squadron at Kunsan AFB - United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman . If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. (Ashley Rowland / S&S), Airmen from Kunsan Air Base eat dinner at the Big Boy Restaurant in America Town as the South Korean owners clean up at the counter behind them. We are not trying to find them doing illegal acts through sudden spot checks, Hong said. Its menu includes danpatppang (bread filled with red bean paste) and yachaeppang (vegetable bread). The official said businesses could then make temporary fixes in order to pass the checks, including telling their employees what to say during the inspections. They might change it, but it’ll always be referred to as A-Town.". Pacific Air Forces Commander opens Australia airshow, aerospace . The city wants to further spruce up the town by building a giant shopping center, and areas where troops can relax and the city can hold festivals. . Air Reserve Technician/Craftsman. 96264 Kunsan AB is located on the western coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the yellow sea. You cant presume that things go beyond that, which is what you would have to do if you want to put them [all] off-limits.. Home; Exhibits and Displays Businesses will be notified before the checks take place. In 2009, Stars and Stripes first reported that prostitution and indentured servitude were everyday realities at many of these popular hangouts for American soldiers. %PDF-1.7 Everybody knows about it in Korea. Several bars alongside each other in the Sinjang-dong Shopping Mall outside Osan Air Base, South Korea on April 6, 2014. A look into life on Kunsan Air Force Base from two wives perspectives. The Wolf Pack welcomed back seven senior leaders from its heritage to provide feedback on the mission and professional development to Airmen. google_color_bg="DED1E9"; In 2010, then-USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp said it would be unfair to punish all juicy bar owners for the actions of a few. The history of Kunsan Air Base dates back to 1938, when Japanese forces occupying Korea built a base near Kunsan for fighter-interceptor aircraft.. The base is named after Gunsan City, a port town seven and a half miles east of the installation. People tell stories," Senior Airman Michael Downard said over dinner at Big Boy Restaurant, a clean but simple one-room diner with five tables, sagging wallpaper, and a pink plastic pig on the front counter. Majority of inbound military personnel PCSing to Kunsan will fly in on the Patriot Express from Seattle and will arrive at the passenger terminal on the flight line at Osan AB, Korea. 782-4987. Most of the bars had stages equipped with stripper dancing poles. The 8th MXS Corrosion Control Section executes a 30-day wash interval on all assigned aircraft to prevent corrosion and prolong the longevity of aircraft. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. South Korea has 265 businesses designated as entertainment venues for foreigners, though it was unclear how many of those are juicy bars that cater solely to the U.S. military community. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. "The military makes this place what it is, and it’s A-Town," said Staff Sgt. Author: MATHEWS, ALEXANDER A Maj USAF AETC 502 ABW/CCE Created Date: 1/3/2023 2:57:03 PM Elevated kitchen bar dining, open air mixologist bar, Florida patio seating, and sparkling bay views.Located just off of iconic Bayshore Blvd, in the heart of South Tampa, a few minutes from . google_ad_width=125; The DoD has a bad habit of losing money on something and thinking that the answer to the problem is to contract that service out to a company that knows how to operate in that industry and not just break even but to make a profit. The local population is about 264,656 in a country of 52 million. . Kunsan Air Base is a remote / unaccompanied assignment, and all 8 FW active-duty military members must reside on the installation unless authorized by the Installation Commander (Wolf). SEOUL A year after protests by bar owners brought the popular Songtan entertainment area outside Osan Air Base to a near-standstill, the 7th Air Force says its efforts to put "juicy bars" off-limits to U.S. servicemembers have helped dramatically lower the clusters of establishments thought to be involved with prostitution and human trafficking. Although proprietors have recently changed the entrance sign to read "International Ville," the military community and local Gunsan residents will always call it A-Town. Due to NIPR Net restrictions this website might not be displayed correct or complete. 2023 Stars and Stripes. 79 reviews. Contact information for the base operator is:011-82-63-470-1110, or DSN 315-782-1110. USAG Daegu Kunsan Air Base Phone Directory CFC United Nations Command Leadership. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. made a visit to Kunsan on Aug. 12, where he visited with airmen and base leaders, according to a press release from the service. google_ad_client="pub-5023238660846020"; <> U.S. Transportation Command re-instituted Patriot Express service to Osan and Kunsan AB with the port located at Seattle, WA. The U.S. Army's 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry recaptured the base and Kunsan City on Sept. 30, 1950. Building A is pet-friendly, and building B is . Dunn Maintenance. Of those, almost 85 percent were working at tourist or foreigner-only venues, according to the ministry. But establishing the link to human trafficking and proving that the female hostesses were working against their wills was almost impossible. Nearby restaurants serve the goods up raw, and sometimes still wriggling. I wanted it to be more representative of the community," he said. Kunsan, South Korea, 96264 View on Google Maps. An association representing the bars had been notified in advance that the inspections would take place. Explore reviews, photos & menus and find the perfect spot for any occasion. First choice not available so made another selection. google_ad_height=125; (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes). Just looking for some advice on a provisional itinerary for 2 weeks in South Korea flying in/out Seoul ICN in June as first time visitors. There are two fish markets that can be found in town: Haemang-dong and Bieung port. All of those venues will be subject to inspections, though Hong Hyeonjoo, a MOGEF official, said the government does not have the authority to inspect those that are not registered and may be operating illegally. Infrastructure and Operations Division Chief. The United States and the Republic of Korea conducted a combined air training event when U.S. Air Force B-1s. Gunsan (Korean pronunciation: ), also romanized as Kunsan, is a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.It is on the south bank of the Geum River just upstream from its exit into the Yellow Sea.It has emerged as a high-tech manufacturing industrial city and an international trade seaport that is approximately 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Seoul on the midwest coast of the Korean Peninsula. r M id-}`xe!C$YMo*lzRt#jwO^/W>{_=U39[S G*CNJT>b Gunsan is known for saengseon hoe (), raw sliced fish. 364 others named Anthony Barnett are on . more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. "It’s always going to be A-Town. https://kunsanfss.com/, Address 2023 Stars and Stripes. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Also check cheapest flight ticket for your upcoming destination here. Bars are commonly found in the basement, first and second floors of many buildings in the area. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. google_color_text="697335"; Bldg. Visit us often to find out what's going on around base and how you can be a part of it. RELATED STORY:Congressman pushes for DOD post to enforce trafficking rules. x=n\75@~$Y0{}0J;U-,c7AV>d+_WMx7r2bN\VI>+:ty!->^^qnn)vI)5KZ@kRk9b&f,dli!ANTfz=]^;3a&.4^P1;18L$U!?QM?OMh|w~v The 8th Fighter Wing of the United States Seventh Air Force and the 38th Fighter Group of the Republic of Korea . "I was here 10 years ago, and this place hasn’t changed a bit. google_ad_height=125; Many interesting sites, including temples and historical landmarks are within an easy driving distance. No worries! Cody Martin. Director of Operations at Blue Sky Restaurants Plainfield, NH. The base is named after Gunsan City, a port town seven and a half miles east of the installation. 315-782-1844 . \VKoE/gf'Npgo\+{|4|Nt|f33cp|/3bDOEZ$>PNk>1Qw}jS2l@r]>!s*DSoq<4?3_ 3 6+`Mf m yw R?3v%1c H=JLb%=P%{JK5-FM/rmZ;Se8"Y.]C=W!\) g>7.gM4$3wS Public Transportation is available for members to travel throughout the peninsula per COVID-19 Regulations and guidelines. However, at the insistence of the U.S. military, the juicy bars that once dotted the landscapes are gone. Forces Korea has for years employed a zero tolerance policy toward prostitution and human trafficking and has said unequivocally that buying overpriced drinks in a juicy bar supports the human trafficking industry, a form of modern-day slavery.. Kunsan Air Base: 100 miles south: DSN: 315-784-6112/6113: Camp Red Cloud: 55 miles north: DSN: 315-732-6142: Daegu/Waegwan/Camp . In April 1951, the 27th Air Base Group became the first Air Force unit assigned to the base. Last summer, when the 7AF put a number of bars outside Osan off-limits, owners staged protests for three weeks, saying the military was trying to shut them down. Theres only so much we can do as far as our folks being down there and seeing things, said Strunk, who received a commendation from the ministry last fall for his efforts at stopping prostitution and human trafficking. The local markets are a tradition in Korea and offers many hidden treasures to include a huge variety of inexpensive clothes, kitchenware and imported products. There are four buildings that make up Dream Ville labeled A-D. Buildings A and B are typically where most military families live. Republic of Korea Air Force Master Sgt. Just like less fatty galbi, this meat is cooked at your table and wrapped in a leaf with vegetables and sauces. "I get the opportunity to visit the Wolf Pack often as the 7th Air Force . New Deputy Commander position accelerates PACAFs Allies and partners connection, PACAF A4 assesses Wolf Pack infrastructure needs, Atop the world: Point Barrow LRRS keep watch over North America, Around the Air Force: Accelerating the Legacy, Expanding Cyber Resiliency, Poppy Seed Warning, African nations hold Women, Peace and Security Panel at AACS 2023, An official website of the United States government, US-ROKAF RAPCON partnership dominates airspace, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. - See 164 traveller reviews, 77 candid photos, and great deals for Ramada by Wyndham Gunsan at Tripadvisor. Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. There's nothing like a rooftop bar with a clear view of the city, especially during a sunset happy hour with friends, drinks in hand, and chill beats from a DJ. Italian cuisine, Korean cuisine, menu, cuisine of the United States | 762 views, 13 likes, 2 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from AFN Kunsan: Hey, Wolfpack! It serves udon, soba, nigiri, and fried cutlets.You can get a small bowl of udon, four pieces of sushi, and a pork cutlet for about 8,000W. The economy is aboutthe same as the US national average. Gunsan Saemangeum Air Show, Game on at Falcon CAC, Tournaments featuring Bingo, Chess, 8 Ball, and Ping Pong. Coordination with your sponsor prior to arrival is required to ensure they know your date/time of arrival. The buses from Osan to Kunsan AB are usually full on Sundays and Holidays. Dennis Hamm. The mayor agreed and even paid for the sign, Bearden said. The entrance to A-town is a few miles north of the military base along Airport Road. 52-3249 of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing being refuelled over Korea, 1953. Toggle navigation. an Ohio resident who went to the restaurant and saw the sign . He walked away with telephone numbers of five Filipinas, who wrote . The city of Gunsan itself is a very vibrant and upbeat community filled with 5-star restaurants, quaint coffee shops and numerous clothing stores. The Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a 5,000-foot runway to replace the sod runway built by . Former 8th Fighter Wing Commanders and Command Chiefs visited Kunsan Air Base as part of the inaugural Wolf Leadership Forum, Feb. 23-24, 2023. . google_color_url="1A4292"; View on Google Maps, Latitude, Longitude While the Philippine government had denied most of those visa applications, the promoters were skirting the law by sending the women to other countries before they went on to South Korea. Jeffery Furbush, 8th Maintenance Squadron, cuts up a pizza during a cooking class at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 20, 2013. Kunsan Air Base is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in western South Korea and falls under the command of the United States Air Force. Kunsan AB is home to the 8th Fighter Wing made up of two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 35th Fighter Squadron and the 80th Fighter Squadron. This run down neighb. Lodging Operations Manager. 1 0 obj google_color_link="000000"; Website: Across the street is the old sign for A-Town, hanging on a neon orange palm tree that blinks at night. The AAFES Taxi Service is available in Bldg 712. google_color_bg="DED1E9"; The Filipinas — all dressed in short skirts, low-cut blouses and high heels — would hold hands with the customers or place a hand on a leg. Enjoy!0:09 Best part of Kunsan=the friendships. Future plans for the reclaimed land include a hotel, water park, and tourist beach as well as plenty of rice fields. It is approximately 150 miles south of Seoul. Phone: 011-82-63-470-110. endobj 2 F-35A aircraft taxi down a runway at Kunsan Air Base, . Ocotpus, cuttlefish, mussels, clams, and fish of all varieties are available for purchase. Yet USFK continued to allow servicemembers to patronize the juicy bars outside its bases with the exception of businesses caught promoting prostitution or human trafficking. View Details. From 1997 to 1998 he was the 8th . Gunsan City officials put up this sign for "International Culture Ville" in September at the turnoff to A-Town, a restaurant, bar and shopping area near Kunsan Air Base. 3 hard or soft tacos or 2 tacos and 1 serving of homemade Wings: $0.75 a wing Various flavors (No discounts or coupons), Lunch: Mexican Baked Chicken, Beef Enchiladas, Baja Fish Tacos, Spanish Rice, Oven Brown Potatoes, Spanish Style Beans, Hacienda Corn & Black Beans, Hacienda Green Beans, and Jalapeno Cornbread, Seonyeon-ri, Okseo-myeon, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, South KoreaBldg: 1027 DSN: 782-5985Cell: 010-9917-7841. This upstairs restaurant is one of the few places in Korea to get pizza without corn (or with, if that's your thing). Now, the South Korean government says it is beginning its own crackdown on human trafficking through inspections of businesses that employ foreigner entertainers, and has inspected bars near at least three U.S. military installations. The class is held once a month and features a different dish each time. The city took suggestions from historians and Kunsan airmen, whose nominations included "Healing Spirits," "Peace Ville," "Global Ville" and "Holy Ville.". "The new signposts are the first sign of change," he said. The inspections included interviews with 51 Filipina employees, most in their 20s or early 30s. It is approximately 150 miles south of Seoul. NnSrlAp@~L>ga4;h@ozwYm,[%SNg)|&.w=>}xcGkp8SXt~sk#[suvY+&vlU1w-TU@Kj$M 5Y+F`> :V$mBk {"{LJj>ss4xzM>mhs3^k}Mcpj. Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. Many excursions await those interested in exploring the traditions and customs of this great country. Although the Department of Defense may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. google_color_text="697335"; If given the opportunity you must visit. However, keeping the so-called juicy bars in check requires constant vigilance. Copyright 2019 The EXCHANGETM All Rights Reserved. "The new name doesn’t match this neighborhood at all," said Jang Gil-hoon, who owns a sportswear store there. Use the resources provided to become familiar with the housing and support services available to you. Located inside 8FSS Falcon Community Activities Center (CAC), Wolf Pack Caf at Kunsan AB offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items available 24/7 Wolf Pack Caf - 8th Force Support Squadron - Kunsan Air Force Base The city has done little to make the area nicer for residents or airmen, who sometimes come into his store looking for a garbage can for their cans and cigarette butts because they can’t find one on the street, he said. Many interesting sites, including temples and historical landmarks are [] Notes: This hole-in-the-wall is best for takeout or a quick bite before hitting the bars outside nearby Kunsan National University. Latitude, Longitude 35.9274549834673 . 01 Wolf Leadership Forum - Leading the Wolf Pack. Bars are commonly found in the basement, first and second floors of many . At least one airman thinks the name change is a good idea. The group oversaw the base's rehabilitation. Your local Traffic Management Office (TMO) at your current base willbook your tickets for your PCS flight to Korea on the Patriot Express. Kunsan Air Base South Korea Commissary is a US supermarket; Ramstein Air Base Commissary codes a US supermarket for Amex Gold and Blue Cash Preferred; . After completing the USFK Theater Specific Required Training, print out a copy of the certificate and bring it with you to in-process with your Command Support Staff. " Food was good. Reservations. Museum of the Kansas National Guard . The difference in atmosphere is obvious outside Osan, where juicy bars numbered 44 about a year and a half ago. In that case, accurate inspections could not be done, he said. Aragon Alley has the highest concentration of bars in the area. Col. Michael Strunk, 51st Fighter Wing Mission Support Group commander at Osan, said officials had a gut feeling that illegal activity was taking place. The scenes inside juicy bars near Kunsan and Osan were strikingly similar. Members of the 8th Maintenance Squadron corrosion control section, wash an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 17, 2023. He said owners need time to prepare documentation for inspections about employee pay. Exercise Agile Reaper 23-1 kicks off in Guam, Tinian. #2 of 315 Restaurants in Gunsan. Worldwide Numbers. Off-base taxis are paid in Korean currency (won) and fare starts at3500 won. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets The United States first used the base in 1945, but on a very small scale. Back To Top. Bearden asked Gunsan City mayor Moon Dong-shin if he wanted to change the name. Ramada by Wyndham Gunsan: Excellent Hotel with Superb Service. F-84G-25-RE Thunderjet AF Serial No. KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — It’s 9 p.m., still early for a Saturday night, as airmen trickle into the mom-and-pop restaurants in this dimly lit neighborhood for bulgogi, ramen and . Welcome to America Town, a tangle of narrow streets and neon lights where generations of airmen from tiny Kunsan Air Base have gone to eat, drink, buy souvenirs and meet women. Gunsan, North Jeolla Province 96264, KOR. Gunsan Marathon runs along this road in the spring bringing a surprising number of local runners. KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — It’s 9 p.m., still early for a Saturday night, as airmen trickle into the mom-and-pop restaurants in this dimly lit neighborhood for bulgogi, ramen and greasy fried mandu. It is also recommended that you have at least one set available in your accompanied baggage. google_ad_format="125x125_as"; Kunsan AB, Korea Han said area residents have asked the city for years to clean up A-Town, famed for decades for its South Korean and foreign prostitutes. 5.9 miles from Gunsan Air Base. For Covid relation questions, please review the updated CoVid-19 Guidelines for USFK. A Stars and Stripes reporter recently visited about a dozen juicy bars outside Osan and Kunsan air bases over a two-night period. We are the ONLY radio station in Longview-Kelso with a locally Cell / Other Phone Number. " 03/05/2021. Edit. Kunsan commander Col. Bryan Bearden suggested renaming A-Town after he arrived at the base in late spring. Best Western Gunsan Hotel435 Saemangeumbuk-ro, Gunsan, 573-540 Korea (South) 96 Hotel Reviews. 4 0 obj They abandoned the demonstrations after Osan placed all 500 businesses in the Songtan area off-limits because of fears of confrontations between servicemembers and protesters. Three of the women said they were open to "having a boyfriend" and another said she wanted to "talk personally" over lunch about what it would take to accompany him back to his hotel room. <>/XObject<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> To get there, head west on Highway 21. Learn more about Kunsan on the homepage. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes), Numerous bars are tightly packed together in "Aragon Alley" in the Sinjang-dong Shopping Mall outside Osan Air Base, South Korea on April 6, 2014. The base operator's phone number is 011-82-63-470-1110, or DSN 315-782-1110. When it actually crosses the line and we no longer have authority, like checking on immigration status, thats where the Korean government becomes very important, and theyve been very supporting in continuing partnering with us and working those issues.. Located inside Falcon Community Activities Center (CAC), Wolf Pack Caf offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items available 24/7. Osan Air Base USAG Yongsan, Camp Red Cloud and Camp Casey . 0118263-470-1110. Local business owners don’t think much of the name either, saying the area is far from international. It is critical to coordinate your arrival with your sponsor to ensure you have the basic necessities.
