Industrial tour showcases Gunsan

by Senior Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/5/2014 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Airmen watched the screen flicker with images of Korean history, war, peace, development and progress at one of the many stops on their tour of Gunsan, Republic of Korea, Feb. 21, 2014.

Gunsan's history, current events and future plans were right at the fingertips of the Airmen that participated in the Gunsan Industrial tour, one of several tours offered by the 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs community relations office.

"The tours we offer open up the door to not only newcomers, but Airmen unfamiliar with Korean culture and history," said Rosemary Song, 8th FW PA community relations specialist. "Airmen are not just part of the Wolf Pack, they are also part of the city, so we offer a chance for them to develop and build relationships."

During the tour, the Airmen also visited a shipyard and a distillery, both two leading industries in Gunsan, according to Song. Along with the current industries, the Airmen viewed future developments at the Gunsan Industrial Complex - developments in progress since the 1990s.

"I had a great experience on the industrial tour of Gunsan," said Airman 1st Class Khinmyat Tun, 8th Communications Squadron technician. "It showed me that Korea, like America, is trying to rebuild their country by expanding their trade and their land to foreign countries."

While the tour lasted several hours, it gave Airmen only a brief view of Gunsan's history and culture.

"Looking at pictures from World War II and on, you can see that the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the Korean people ... led them to become one of the top leading industries in the world," said Tun. "I think that now after the tour, I have a much better understanding of why U.S. forces are here and why our mission is so critical."

For more information about other tours or community relations opportunities, Airmen can contact the community relations office at 782-5194.