Holding the line

Osan and Kunsan Air Bases are home to the US Air Force’s fighter squadrons in South Korea and include the most forward, permanently deployed fighter squadron in the service. Lt Col ‘Cricket’ Renner, USAF (ret’d), visited these units, where the motto “We fight tonight!” is still on all airmen’s minds.

USAF in Korea

F-16C Block 40 89-2060 ‘WP/8th FW’ and acc ompanying 88-0465 ‘WP’ carry a typical loadout of wingtip AIM-120 AMRAAMs, Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod, Sniper pod, centreline ALQ-184 ECM pod and an AIM-9 Sidewinder – AIM-9X on 89-2060 and AIM-9M on 88- 0465.
All photos John Dibbs/The Plane Picture Company

“Because we always know we have to be ready to ‘fight tonight’, it really gives us something to focus on and gives us drive as a squadron to really be as tactically prepared as we possibly can” Lt ‘Alamo’ Morical

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below