20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing commander, and Amber McKibban, spouse of McKibban, wave to a crowd during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The two-day event held every fall to celebrate the partnership of the U.S. and the ROK provides an opportunity for both cultures to learn about each other. The U.S.-ROK alliance has maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

Members from the Korean dance group, Aighty 9, perform a dance routine to kick-off the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The festival created an environment of appreciation and cultural exchange by showcasing talent from both the ROK and the U.S. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing commander, gives a speech during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. During his speech, McKibban emphasized how activities like the festival help to fortify ties between the two nations and develop deeper understanding of one another. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing commander, shakes hands with Col. Patrick Lowe, 607th Air Support Operations Group commander, during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The Korean American Friendship Festival is a two-day event held every fall to celebrate the partnership of the U.S. and the ROK. It also provides an opportunity for both cultures to learn about each other. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

Jang Seon Jung, Pyeongtaek City mayor, gives a speech during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, in front of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The festival is sponsored by the Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City, and hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation, and Songtan Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Osan Air Base. The two-day event held every fall to celebrate the partnership of the U.S. and the ROK. It also provides an opportunity for both cultures to learn about each other. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

(From the right,) U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing commander, Amber McKibban, spouse of McKibban, Col. Patrick Lowe, 607th Air Support Operations Group commander and Chief Master Sgt. Dax Keehu, 607th ASOG command chief attend the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The festival slogan, “Gatchi kapshida, Choen eeut doepshida,” translates to, “We go together, be a good neighbor,” is said to reinforce the bond between the U.S. and the ROK. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Trundle, right, 51st Fighter Wing command chief, greats Col. Patrick Lowe, middle, 607th Air Support Operations Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Dax Keehu, 607th ASOG command chief, during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, in front of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The annual two-day festival, held every autumn, commemorates the strong partnership between the U.S. and the ROK, offering a valuable occasion for mutual cultural understanding. The U.S.-ROK alliance as maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

20th Annual ROK/US Friendship Festival

Published Oct. 16, 2023
By Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing commander, and Amber McKibban, spouse of McKibban, wave to a crowd during the 20th ROK U.S. Friendship Festival, near Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 14, 2023. The two-day event held every fall to celebrate the partnership of the U.S. and the ROK provides an opportunity for both cultures to learn about each other. The U.S.-ROK alliance has maintained peace and stability in Northeast Asia for over 70 years and led to the unparalleled economic growth and democratization of the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)