Osan Air Base
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Osan Air Base, a base of the United States Air Force, is located 4.7 miles (8 km) southwest of the town of Osan in the Republic of Korea and 40 miles (60 km) south of Seoul. Headquarters for the 7th Air Force are located at Osan Air Base, and also the 51st Fighter Wing.
The base was originally named Osan-Ni Air Base (with the alpha-numerical designation of K-55) when established in November 1951.
Osan Air Base is one of two major Air Force installations operated by the United States in Korea, the other being Kunsan Air Base.
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History
On 5 July, 1950 the first Korean War battle between North Korean and U.S. forces designated "Task Force Smith", was fought just a few miles north of the base.
Prior to its use as an air base, Osan's site housed an army regiment. Airplanes began to arrive at the base in 1952. Bombers from Osan provided support for United Nations ground forces during the conflict. After the conflict, Fifth Air Force advanced headquarters moved to Osan and remained until September 1954. The base was redesignated as Osan Air Base in late 1956.
The 51st Air Base wing was relocated from Okinawa to Osan 1 November, 1971. It has undergone several names changes but remains on the base as the 51st Fighter Wing, its current designation.
Osan Air Base is also home to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Operations Command (AFOC).
Units
- 51st Fighter Wing
- 731st Mobility Squadron
- 33rd Rescue Squadron
- 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
- 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment
- 303rd Intelligence Squadron
Aircraft
Present
Former
External links
Osan Air Base (http://www.osan.af.mil/)
