Air Defense commander meets Pyongtaek mayor Published Oct. 2, 2013 By Spc. Shawn Denham 35th Air Defense Artillery Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. Thomas Nguyen, commander of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, met with Kim, Sun-Ki, mayor of Pyongtaek City, Republic of South Korea here, Oct. 1. This meeting served as the introduction for the two leaders and both offered invitations to future events in order to foster the ROK/U.S. relationship. Though Osan Air Base, home of the Dragon Brigade, is named for Osan City, it is actually within Pyongtaek City boundaries and shares direct ties with the city. This connection brings Soldiers in direct contact with the local Korean populace of Pyongtaek City on a daily basis. Both Nguyen and the mayor are members of the ROK - U.S. Friendship Council, consisting of senior U.S. military leaders in the area and local political leaders, said Kim, Hyong-Uk, community relations officer with the Dragon Brigade. The council works to strengthen the ties between service members and their Korean hosts through such events as cultural tours of historical sites, museums and other venues, all hosted by Pyongtaek City. First proposed by the mayor in 2012, the ROK-U.S. Friendship Council was established in March of this year. Soldiers should interact with the local populace to build better relationships, the mayor said. "I hope Soldiers will contribute to cultural exchanges [in the future]," said the mayor. "I think it went well," said Nguyen, of the meeting, where he answered the mayor's questions concerning the role of the 35th ADA on Osan AB. "We're one of the few Army units which operate with the Air Force almost all the time," Nguyen explained. Following the meeting the Mayor presented Nguyen with a miniature Korean drum as a token of appreciation and friendship. The large number of U.S. service members in Pyongtaek area make the relationship between these two neighbors especially important, said Kim.