OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Planning is underway for a victory barbecue March 18 at 4 p.m. in Rush Park to celebrate the conclusion of Key Resolve and Foal Eagle 2010.
The celebration is primarily funded by a $2,500 donation presented to Rush Park Mayor Maj. Audie Artero Thursday by Ms. Song, Sung Hee on behalf of nine members of the Korea America Good Neighbor Society.
The donation was given in appreciation of the support provided by the U.S. servicemembers who traveled to the Republic of Korea from bases around the world to support KR/FE 10. Rush Park officials will use the money to help purchase food, beverages and entertainment for the barbecue, which will feature "Guam-style" food, according to Major Artero, a member of the Guam Air Guard.
"We wouldn't be able to have the celebration without this donation," said Major Artero, who is responsible for the beddown of augmentees supporting the exercise. "We greatly appreciate the generosity of those who contributed. Many of the exercise augmentees will be getting on a plane the day after the exercise ends, so this barbecue is our only opportunity to thank them for their support."
All Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who supported the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle Exercises are encouraged to attend the celebration. Members of the Osan AB Good Neighbor Society are also invited to the barbecue, which will feature entertainment provided by traditional Korean performers.
"For many of the people in tent city, this is their first time in Korea - so we welcome them by making them sleep in a tent," joked Lt. Col. Rob Neher, 7th Air Force director of programs, exercises and analyses. "The victory party is our way of saying thank you."
Key Resolve is an annual exercise held in conjunction with Foal Eagle, a unit field training exercise. Both exercises prepare U.S. and Republic of Korea forces for the transition to a ROK-led exercise program, which will be complete by 2012, and involve forces from both the United States and the Republic of Korea. Like all Combined Forces Command exercises, KR/FE is defense-oriented and designed to enhance readiness and the ability to defend the ROK against external aggression.