Joint patrol helps keep Kunsan Airmen safe

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Collier
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  The 8th Security Forces Squadron Town Patrol, together with elements of the Korean National Police, or KNP, are conducting patrols of Kunsan City areas popular with base members.

They actively patrol restricted areas and popular destinations of Kunsan City, said Master Sgt. Aaron Hascher, 8th SFS Town Patrol noncommissioned officer in charge.

“In the past, only the KNP patrolled Kunsan City,” he said. “The KNP and the 8th SFS have been coordinating on this project for a few months now to implement it.”

Mr. Sim, Ch’ung Man, KNP detective, said South Korean police forces asked for town patrol support to help ensure the safety of base personnel.

“Most base troops are going to areas that are closer to populated areas,” the detective said. “This (patrol) is an opportunity to help improve our current relationship between the KNP and base security personnel. Kunsan City is safe to go around, but we wouldn’t recommend going to some areas alone in the middle of the night.”

The detective said the KNP didn’t want people getting in trouble with South Korean police forces by trying to stay out past curfew – a violation of base community standards.

The town patrol began joint patrols to provide assistance to personnel who fall under the Status of Forces Agreement, Sergeant. Hascher said.

“If town patrol does encounter a curfew or wingman violator, the subject will be processed the same as anywhere else on the peninsula,” the town patrol NCOIC said. ”Servicemembers who violate curfew, a punitive order, are subject to administrative or Uniform Code of Military Justice action.”