OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea –
This is the first in a series of articles relating an overview of the 12 key
tasks at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The way Team Osan focuses on the 51st
Fighter Wing's command priorities and defends the freedom of 51 million people
will be explored through the 12 tasks prioritized as: runway construction, base
defense, Operational Plan readiness, pilot training, Enlisted and Officer
Performance reports and decorations, combat operation procedures, ready Airmen,
communications, dormitories, the Mustang Resiliency Center, consolidated
requirement listing, and leadership development. Concluding the series will be a
wrap-up article with a video showing the comprehensive spectrum of how Team Osan
works on the key tasks.
In previous articles, we've explored the
mission principles and commander priorities of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
The principles pose the "why" of why Team Osan is in the ROK: to defend the
freedom of 51 million people. The three principles of "defend the base, execute
combat operations and sustain the force," explains "how" Team Osan accomplishes
the mission. The commander priorities of "building fight tonight readiness",
"strengthening the base and team", "growing leadership and professionalism", and
"driving innovative solutions" further direct the path of Team Osan. Beyond the
priorities are 12 specific key tasks, which enable Team Osan to focus on
accomplishing the command priorities.
Each key task falls under one of
the four priorities:
Runway construction, base defense, OPLAN readiness,
pilot training, and combat operation procedures are tied to "building fight
tonight readiness".
The focus on enhancing and improving EPR, OPR, and
decorations, the erection of a more resourceful Mustang Resiliency Center, and
leadership development all fall under the priority of "growing leadership and
professionalism."
Having mission ready Airmen, diversifying communication
on and around base, and overhauling the base dormitory system to include greater
dorm integrity are all under "strengthening the base and team."
In
addition to being directly tied to command priorities, each task is filled with
specific goals and a purpose.
Runway repair focuses on immediate
short-term repairs to the base runway and how to best accomplish this while
maintaining mission requirements at Osan AB. The Civil Engineer Squadron is the
primary means of achieving this task.
Base defense is an omnipresent
focus of Team Osan, which includes perimeter defense. This task is primarily
accomplished by the Security Forces Squadron.
OPLAN readiness is
accomplished through the Korean Readiness Orientation and Ready Mustang Program.
The two policies work in tandem to ensure incoming service members are equipped,
trained, and ready to fight within 30 days. This task is primarily taken care of
at the unit level and by the Logistic Readiness Squadron.
Pilot training
is aimed at keeping Team Osan's collection of F-16 and A-10 Airmen trained and
ready to the best extent possible. This task is primarily accomplished through
the Operations Group.
EPR, OPR, and decoration progress is, like OPLAN
readiness, in part accomplished through the KRO and also at the unit level.
Supervisors and service member's chain of command are primarily responsible for
focusing on this task.
Combat Operation Procedures is a team effort that
requires Team Osan to stay mission ready and capable. The team accomplishes this
through quarterly operational readiness exercises and other training. This task
is primarily taken care of by the commander's action group and Mission Support
Group.
Ready Airmen is a task aimed at decreasing alcohol related
incidents, increasing fitness, and enhancing volunteer opportunities. This is
accomplished through team initiatives like the wing's 51 days of resiliency
campaign.
Base communication is a task primarily charged over by the
Communications Squadron that includes the diversification of communication
capabilities.
Dormitory integrity and habitability is a task primarily
taken care of by the CES. This task seeks to place units together in the same
dormitories and ensuring every Airman has the highest quality of living possible
on base.
The task of enhancing the Mustang Resiliency Center is primarily
tackled by the Force Support Squadron. The team will overhaul the coffee shop,
build a multipurpose room, and includes modern technological amenities such as
large televisions and video games.
The CRL is a task taken care of by the
Comptroller Squadron. This means all the groups from the 51st FW are making
lists for funding requirements, which will then be prioritized by the wing and
group commanders. The top 10 items will be sent to Major Command headquarters
for funding.
Finally, leadership development is a comprehensive effort
that will see an uptick in offered leadership events. The primary office of
responsibility for this task is the CAG.
It's the role of Team Osan to
defend the freedom of 51 million people. This is achieved not just by broad
principles and priorities, but specific and obtainable tasks. By taking on these
tasks with the verve and enthusiasm they're capable of, the men and women of
Team Osan can continue to build their peerless reputation around the Air Force
and the world.