Osan exercise optimizes communication between forces

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aileen Carter
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  More than 2,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors participating jointly with South Korean air force members in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle in mid-March here have learned the key to success is communication.

Despite some language barriers, the key players smoothly conduct the air and space portion of Key Resolve/Foal Eagle from the Hardened Tactical Air Command Center here.

"We may have all the technology in the world, but without communication and a focused mission, nothing will get accomplished," said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington, the 7th Air Force commander. "Our objectives must become one when defending South Korea. We train together how we fight together." 

A quick glance inside the Hardened Tactical Air Command Center, the heart of air operations during Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, shows how communication is achieved from one Airman working side-by-side with a South Korean air force airman. On the strategic level, the U.S. and South Korean air force servicemembers play their roles using a state of the art classified network shared by both countries.

Not all of these air staff members, with roles ranging from manning and personnel to medical support, are proficient in both English and Hangul. Communication barriers become apparent through face-to-face interaction at the strategic and tactical levels.

But, the U.S. and South Korean air force servicemembers are not fazed by this language barrier.

Col. Debora Esque, a reservist assigned to the 51st Medical Group and 7th Air Force surgeon general during Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, had minutes to respond to an exercise scenario involving a helicopter crashing into a medical facility during the second week of Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, she said.

She worked closely with South Korean air force Lt. Col. Yong Joo Baek, a surgeon general, to allocate the medical logistics and support needed to evacuate and care for survivors of the incident.

In this U.S. and South Korean partnership, the assets of both countries become one and support both countries indiscriminately, she said.

Colonel Esque does not speak Hangul and Colonel Baek does not speak English, but both Airmen were able to work together by writing out their responses in English.

"I discovered that he can understand and respond to English better when it is written," Colonel Esque said.

In cases where there are more technicalities, Colonel Esque said she resorts to pictures and diagrams.

So far, she has only asked for translation help four times during this exercise, she said.

Besides the language barrier, the difference in the meaning of words also presents some challenges, Colonel Esque said. When used by Airmen, the term "urgent" means medical care is needed right away, but when used by the South Korean air force it denotes a mobilization priority. However, these subtle meaning differences have been overcome by working closely together.

"We communicate really well," Colonel Esque said.

The exercise permits a constant interface where communication can be practiced and optimized by permanent party and exercise augmentees, Colonel Esque said.

"Key Resolve provides the opportunity to strengthen the alliance and air warfare support between the United States and South Korean air force," General Remington said. "It's focused on maintaining and improving readiness of the Combined Forces Command staff and components."

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