Marines arrive in Kunsan for exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dana Hill
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Kunsan Air Base Airmen accepted and processed Marines as they landed on board a KC-130J Super Hercules Feb. 23 here.

The Marines from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Japan participated in an Exercise Key Resolve, a routine training exercise designed to train and evaluate U.S. Forces Korea's ability to accept U.S. forces from outside South Korea. 

The personnel deployment and reception function plays a huge part in accomplishing the follow on forces mission, said Capt. Angel Betancourt, the 8th Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel Flight commander.

"Here at the personnel reception deployment line, we accept follow on forces, we are the integral part to make sure all personnel arrive and get processed," he said. "We do the last check before they go on to do their wartime mission."

As the Marines inprocessed, they were also set up with lodging arrangements and their initial Meals, Ready to Eat, Captain Betancourt said.

"Here at Kunsan it's all reception, we have to be able to pull in from different bases and integrate," said Capt. Mike Carter, an 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. "We bring in our sister services, and get everyone in here and in processed in a relatively short period of time."

The Marines' arrival gave Kunsan AB Airmen the opportunity to receive actual people instead of simulating processing servicemembers.

"Normally in the Air Force will practice to receive Air Force personnel," Captain Betancourt said.  "With the Marines being here, it helps us to learn how to accept other forces and help in the whole process of bedding down and providing any assistance that they need."

More than 400 Marines will operate out of Kunsan during the exercise scheduled to run from March 9 through 20.

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