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3rd BCD-K leaders celebrate Arbor Day

OSAN AB, Republic of Korea -- ROK Col. Eunchul Kim and Col. Joseph Gleichenhaus, commanders of 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment - Korea, plant a pine tree sapling during an Arbor Day celebration held at the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade headquarters April 11. The 3rd BCD-K is comprised of U.S. Soldiers and ROK Army and Air Force personnel who work together to ensure synchronization of air power and ground maneuvers during armistice and war. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA Public Affairs)

3rd BCD-K leaders celebrate Arbor Day

OSAN AB, Republic of Korea -- Spc. Brian Nicasio, a transportation management coordinator assigned to 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment - Korea and native of Pittsburg, Calif., hydrates a pine tree sapling during an Arbor Day celebration held at the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade headquarters April 11, 2014. The 3rd BCD-K is a combined and joint detachment responsible for synchronization of air power and ground maneuvers during armistice and war. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA Public Affairs)

3rd BCD-K leaders celebrate Arbor Day

OSAN AB, Republic of Korea -- Spc. Christopher Foley [CENTER], an intelligence analyst assigned to 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment - Korea, compacts the soil around a cherry tree sapling during an Arbor Day celebration held at the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade April 11.The 3rd BCD-K is comprised of U.S. Soldiers and ROK Army and Air Force personnel who work together to ensure synchronization of air power and ground maneuvers during armistice and war. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA Public Affairs)

3rd BCD plants friendship, strengthens alliance

Published April 13, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby
35th ADA Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- More than a dozen Soldiers and Republic of Korea service members conducted a combined and joint operation that embodied the spirit of U.S. Forces Korea here April 11.

"We go together and now we grow together," said Col. Joseph Gleichenhaus, commander of 3rd Battlefield Detachment - Korea.

The 3rd BCD-K is comprised of U.S. Soldiers and ROK Army and Air Force personnel who work together to ensure synchronization of air power and ground maneuvers during armistice and war.

Capt. Ho Chul Jang, 3rd BCD air space and management supervisor, was responsible for coordination of the local tree-planting project held in conjunction with the former Korean holiday Sikmogil.

"April has always been considered an optimal time for planting," said Jang. "It is also when Silla Kingdom unified Korea and King Songjong cultivated a famous field known as 'Sonnongdan' back in 1343."

In 2006, the Korean government decided to cancel this public holiday.

However, variations of Arbor Day are still celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world, Jang said.

To commemorate the event, Osan City donated two pine tree saplings.

The pine tree is a symbol of longevity and resilience, according to Jang.

Pyeongtaek City also donated two cherry blossom trees for the event.

The inter-service detail planted the trees around the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade headquarters, which is also home to the 3rd BCD-K.

"It is my hope that as we walk past these trees, we are reminded of this moment and we will become closer as a detachment because of it," said ROK Col. Eun Chul Kim, 3rd BCD ROK commander.

Kim said that the event fosters more than the detachment's combined and joint operational relationship; it grows friendship as well.