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Air Force reservists bring know-how, wisdom to massive Korean exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sam Hymas
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Nearly 1,100 Airmen from across the globe gathered on the Korean peninsula this week to execute air operations for the annual Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2009 joint military exercise.

U.S. and Republic of Korea military forces, including 87 U.S. Air Force Reserve personnel assigned to the 701st Combat Operations Squadron located at March Air Force Base, Calif., participated in the large-scale joint military exercise, which focuses on crisis management and warfighting operations.

Members of the 701st COS, working alongside their ROK Air Force counterparts, provide trained battle-staff operators who manage combat scenarios from the Air Operations Center here.

"The Air Operations Center is the senior element of the theater control system," said Col. Doug Hall, 701st COS deputy commander. "It's the heart of air ops."

Executing combat scenarios and planning strategic operations from the AOC is a critical responsibility during the exercise, which challenges the reservists of the 701st COS to stay current on all tactics, techniques and technology involved in conducting large-scale operations such as Key Resolve.

"We train constantly and stay ready to show up in theater should the request or need arise," said U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. R. David Johnson, 701st COS commander.

Airmen from more than 40 Air Force career fields make up the 701st COS, with most positions filled by experienced reservists.

The Airmen provide remarkable continuity in the Korean theater of operations, said Colonel Johnson. Our experienced personnel fill positions in all divisions of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at Osan, including strategy, combat plans, combat operations, intelligence and communications, he said.

The 701st COS is unique in that they are considered a "geographically-separated unit." Based out of March AFB in southern California, the 701st COS regularly deploys to Korea in support of exercises when serving on Reserve duty.

"We welcome the opportunity to integrate our Reserve Airmen into the fight," said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea commander. "Our ability to seamlessly integrate our forces and successfully accomplish the combat mission is vital. We fight together, so we must train together to perfect our operations, and members of the 701st COS are integral to our ability to do so."

With the reservists come years of deployment experience and time spent executing exercise operations. Many of the 701st COS officers and enlisted have participated in more than 20 major exercises, making Key Resolve another combat scenario to add to their impressive list.

"Having this seasoned team on our side gives us a decisive edge," said General Remington. "Support provided by the 701st COS helps the ROK Air Force lead all combined and joint air operations over the Korean peninsula."

Not only do members of the 701st COS bring enhanced air defense capabilities needed to harness the power of air, space and cyberspace operations, many bring ground and sea experience as well.

"Our members are currently Airmen serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve," said Colonel Johnson. "However, we have quite a few cross-service transfers who have previously served in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps."

The 701st has come to Korea so often over the years that it's like a second home for them.

"We think of ourselves as part of the Air Operations Center team," said Colonel Hall. "We identify ourselves as key warfighters during exercise missions, not just as 'augmentees' to the operation."

The 701st COS was formed in the fall of 1996, and has always been dedicated to supporting the Korean theater of operations. The unit is slated to return in August to participate in the exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian.