Kunsan provides strong foundation for F-16 pilots

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  First Lt. Wyatt Morrise, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, jumped at the chance to come here after graduating from aviator school. Although it is a one-year unaccompanied tour, almost every veteran F-16 pilot he met recommended this place as one of the best flying assignments in the Air Force.

Now, after six months here, he said his only complaint is there are not enough hours in a day to learn.

“There’s so much work to do. There are so many things to know,” he said.

Kunsan is an excellent place for new pilots, he said. The operation tempo is high, and they have a lot of opportunities to fly. He also said the best part of their job here, unlike assignments at other bases, is the realistic training. The crews said they conduct operations like they would do during wartime.

First Lt. Amy Ringwald, a new pilot assigned to the 35th FS, said Kunsan is a great place to concentrate on being “good.”

Every day, 35th FS pilots learn how to integrate their tactics and techniques with other American pilots from Osan Air Base, South Korea, and those from the South Korean air force.

The unit’s pilots said they are very focused on their mission.

“We take our job here very seriously. We study up on our threats. We know exactly what we’re going up against,” Lieutenant Ringwald said.