The economy is about the same as the US national average. Contact your sponsor for specific details about your living situation and arrangements.
Mission
Defend the Base, Accept Follow-On Forces, [and] Take the Fight North
The vision for the 8th Fighter Wing is to be "a resilient warfighting wing ready to deliver combat airpower at a moment's notice; honoring our legacy by fostering an environment of teamwork, dignity, and respect; enhancing the Wolf Pack culture of innovation, compliance, and excellence...1-year tour with a 10-year vision."
Special and Critical Installation Information
Kunsan Air Base is home to the 8th Fighter Wing which is known as the “Wolf Pack”, a nickname given during the command of Colonel Robin Olds back in 1966. It is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the United States in Korea. It is located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. 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).
Gunsan City is the host city for Kunsan Air Base. “Kunsan” and “Gunsan” are spelled the same in Korean: 군산. Gunsan City is pronounced Gunsan-si and is spelled 군산시. If you search “Kunsan” on the internet, you will find information on the installation. If you search “Gunsan”, you will find information about the host city.
The city of approximately 272,000 people (as of Mar 2019) and is located on the edge of central western coast, as a waist of the Korean peninsula, is in 2~3 hours away from anywhere in Korea (231 km away from Seoul and 337 km away from Busan). Many excursions await those interested in exploring the traditions and customs of this great country. 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 local markets are a tradition in Korea and offers many hidden treasures to include a huge variety of inexpensive clothes, kitchenware and imported products. These markets offer the excitement of feasting on delicious street eats; almost every type of Korean street food can be found at the market.
The city also has a thriving fishing fleet and is an excellent place for fresh seafood. There are two fish markets that can be found in town: Haemang-dong and Bieung port. Gunsan is known for saengseon hoe (생선회), raw sliced fish.
Lee Sung Dang is the oldest bakery in Korea. It has been in business in the same location since 1945. Its menu includes danpatppang (bread filled with red bean paste) and yachaeppang (vegetable bread). If given the opportunity you must visit.
The WON (Korean Currency) exchange rate varies from day to day according to market conditions; there are many online sites available to research current rates.
When reporting to Kunsan ABUs and/or OCPs are the uniform of the day. It is also recommended that you have at least one set available in your accompanied baggage. Kunsan AB has a high ops tempo, thus your arrival could be during one of many exercises. Nearly all base facilities are closed during exercises to include BX and commissary. It is critical to coordinate your arrival with your sponsor to ensure you have the basic necessities.
The Community Bank, which is affiliated with the Bank of America is the only banking service located on Kunsan AB. You may access Navy Federal banking system at both Camp Humphreys and Osan AB, respectively 2 to 2.5 hours away.
U.S. Transportation Command re-instituted Patriot Express service to Osan and Kunsan AB with the port located at Seattle, WA. This service is mandatory for all duty passenger travel. Your local Traffic Management Office at your current base will book your tickets for your PCS flight to Korea on the Patriot Express.
All newcomers must complete the mandatory online USFK sponsorship survey as well as USFK Theater Specific Required Training. 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.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense. Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. 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. The DSN area code in Korea is 315 and must be dialed when calling Korea by DSN. Long distance charges may be incurred if calling commercially.
The major command is the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the primary weapon system is the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
"Defend the Base (Hooah), Accept Follow on Forces (Bring it), Take the Fight North (Wolf Pack)."
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. Learn more about Kunsan from the website. Kunsan Air Base (af.mil)
Organization
The 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, and is assigned to Seventh Air Force, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Seventh Air Force falls under Pacific Air Forces, which is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the "Wolf Pack." Located seven miles west of Gunsan City, the base is on the west coast of the peninsula near the Kum River
The base is also home to the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, which is equipped with Patriot Advanced Capability missiles. The battalion's one battery helps protect the base against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
Other associate units include the Air Force Judiciary Area Defense Counsel, American Forces Network-Korea, American Red Cross, Army Air Force Exchange Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Army Contracting Command Korea, Contract Air Terminal Operations, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 613 and the U.S. Army 25th Transportation Battalion.
History
Originally built by the Japanese as a fighter-interceptor base in 1938, Kunsan became the home of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group in Korea at the end of World War II. In 1949, U.S. forces left Korea, turning the base over to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
In July 1950, at the outset of the Korean Conflict, North Korean forces occupied Kunsan Air Base. The U.S. Army's 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry recaptured the base and Kunsan City on Sept. 30, 1950. In April 1951, the 27th Air Base Group became the first Air Force unit assigned to the base. The group oversaw the base's rehabilitation. The Army's 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion built a 5,000-foot runway to replace the sod runway built by the Japanese. The 3rd Bombardment Wing moved to the base Aug. 22, 1951, as Kunsan's first assigned aircraft wing.
Following the 3rd Bombardment Wing's return to Japan at the end of the Korean Conflict, Kunsan became the home to several Air Force units. The 6170th Air Base Group and the 6170th Air Base Squadron operated and maintained the base from 1954 to 1968. From 1968 to 1970, the 354th and later the 54th Tactical Fighter Wing ran the base. The 6175th assumed responsibility for the installation in the mid-1970s until the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing returned to Kunsan in March 1971. In September 1974, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to Kunsan Air Base. As a part of an Air Force-wide reorganization, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was re-designated the 8th Fighter Wing on Feb. 3, 1992.
The local population estimate is 303,415 in a country almost 52 million people.
The base population consists of around 3,000 individuals that comprise of U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army personnel, DoD Civilains, and Korean nationals. This is unaccompanied tour, so family members are not authorized (command sponsored). For more specific details please contact your unit sponsor at Kunsan AB.
Kunsan AB is located on the western coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the yellow sea. It is approximately 150 miles south of Seoul. The base is named after Gunsan City, a port town seven and a half miles east of the installation. Many interesting sites, including temples and historical landmarks are within an easy driving distance. Contact Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) for additional information, 011-82-63-470-5644, or DSN 315-782-5644.
Kunsan Air Base - is the name of the base.
Gunsan City - is the name of the surrounding city to the base.
Most of inbound military personnel who are 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, S. Korea.
All inbound members traveling from Osan AB will be transported to Kunsan AB by bus. The bus is called "WolfPack Wheels". The cost for official travel is $65. Payments can be made using a Government Travel Card (GTC), or cash can be used if you do not have a GTC. Please keep all your travel receipts.
Arriving at Incheon Airport
Modes of transportation:Commercial bus and train, Military transport (8th Army) bus to Humprey's, Osan and Kunsan Air Base, depending on the time you land. Commercial bus and train tickets can be purchased in Terminal 1 and 2. The bus is the easiest and cheapest commercial transport (Keep all receipts, use your government travel card for all suthorized charges). The airport has an information desk that can assist you necessary.
Military: Ensure your sponsor is aware of your flight arrangements. Do not take a taxi from Incheon Airport to Kunsan Air Base, it is vary expensive.
DoD Civilian/Contractor Employees: Ensure your sponsor is aware of your flight arrangments. Do not take a taxi from Incheon Airport to Kunsan Air Base, it is very expensive.
For taxi service, call DSN 315-782-4318 or 063-470-4318 from a cell phone. Taxi fare starts at $3.30 and prices go up depending on the distance. Off-base taxis are paid in Korean currency (won) and fare starts at 3500 won. Taxis may also be requested utilizing the "Exchange Taxi" application on any smart device.
Contact information for the base operator is: 011-82-63-470-1110 or DSN 315-782-1110.
Release 2023.08.17.1