JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) hosted 165 Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Academy cadets here, June 6, 2018.

The visit was an effort to educate future ROKAF leaders on PACAF priorities in the Indo-Pacific region by immersing them in the command’s history and present-day goals.

“These cadets will grow up as young officers in a potentially different scenario than we grew up in on the Korean Peninsula,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams, PACAF director of air and cyberspace operations. “I think it’s important for them to understand where we came from so they can help shape where we go.”

The visit included briefings to highlight the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and PACAF roles and missions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The cadets also visited historical sites on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, received a static display tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker, and interacted with a variety of USAF officers during a knowledge and cultural exchange.

Brig. Gen Seung Bae Kong, ROKAF Academy deputy superintendent, spoke highly of the opportunity for the cadets.

“I believe that through the presentations today and the briefings, the cadets will have a much broader and complete understanding of USINDOPACOM and PACAF,” said Kong.

ROKAF Academy Senior Cadet Jaeoo Shin said a highlight of the visit was seeing a U.S. Air Force base for the first time and learning about the history of PACAF and the Indo-Pacific region.

“It’s interesting to see our allies’ historic role in the Pacific,” Shin said. “Seeing the battle damage and the memorials during our tour of the headquarters building gave a sense of the combat experience of the U.S. Air Force.”

This is the 6th visit of ROKAFA cadets to PACAF since 2015.