I would love to see the risk assessment form done on this training exercise that some how involved real anthrax:
Twenty-two personnel at a U.S. Air Force Base in South Korea have been given emergency medical treatment after being exposed to a possible live sample of anthrax, the U.S. military said in a statement on Thursday.
The anthrax was destroyed on Wednesday when a sample initially expected to be inactive and destined for a training exercise was suspected of being live, according to a statement by the U.S. Air Force 51st Fighter Wing in the South Korean city of Osan, 35 kms (21 miles) south of Seoul.
None of the personnel in contact with the sample showed signs of exposure, the statement said, but were given “appropriate medical precautionary measures to include examinations, antibiotics and in some instances, vaccinations”. [Reuters]
Condolences to the family of this deceased airman:
A wooden frame encapsulated Kevin Bittinger’s military life — an American flag folded in a triangle, medals, and Air Force pins held his accomplishments, showcasing his dedication to serving his country.
The boxy frame was shown to his mother, Cindy Bittinger, on Monday. She nodded in approval and attempted to hold back tears for her son.
Kevin Bittinger, formerly of Wapakoneta, died at Osan Air Base while serving in South Korea as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Though the circumstances surrounding his death remained under investigation, his family was trying to come to terms with their loss. He was 24 years old.
Bittinger’s remains were brought back to Wapakoneta on Monday from South Korea. Family, friends and strangers gathered and participated in a processional, led by the Ohio Patriot Guard.
“It was awesome to see so many people honor Kevin. But it’s heartbreaking, too. You know, I think every one of these guys deserve that and it’s just … Kevin would have thought that was so neat. It’s awesome to see the support of our county,” Cindy Bittinger said.
Tori Wynn, a friend and a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, also escorted Kevin Bittinger’s remains home to Wapakoneta from South Korea. Wynn is stationed in Japan.
Wynn said of the support shown, “It was amazing.”
At the time of his death a senior airman, Kevin Bittinger joined the Air Force right after he graduated Wapakoneta High School in 2009. He had been on active duty for nearly six years.
After his death, the U.S. Air Force issued a news release about the incident.
Kevin “Bittinger, a Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman, was assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron and arrived at Osan in May 2014,” according to the statement.
“The loss of Kevin is a devastating blow to the team,” said Lt. Col. Jack Wheeldon, 51st CES commander in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. From RED HORSE to Prime BEEF, Kevin has done so much for the Air Force and he will be truly missed.”
The U.S. Air Force declined further comment. [Stars & Stripes]
Just when you thought you have seen all the stupid incidents a soldier could cause in Korea someone finds a new level of stupid:
Police say a U.S. soldier was detained after rushing onto the field during a professional baseball game in Seoul in what they called a “heroic” attempt to impress his girlfriend.
The soldier, identified by South Korean police as a 30-year-old corporal, rushed onto the field of Jamsil Stadium around 7:30 p.m. Saturday during a nationally televised game between the Doosan Bears and Hanhwa Eagles.
Doosan security guards nabbed the soldier, who was attending the game with friends, as he ran toward second to first base. Officials suspended the game for about five minutes following the incident.
8th Army spokesman Col. Shawn Stroud said the soldier has been released to his unit and is being investigated by South Korean police. A Jamsil police officer said police could smell alcohol on his breath. His name was not released.
The soldier is expected to be charged with obstruction of work, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine up to 15 million won (about $13,700). The officer said the soldier is unlikely to receive the stiffest punishment, and similar disturbances have resulted in fines or suspended sentences. [Stars & Stripes]
If your kids go to middle or high school over Yongsan Garrison expect your kids to have a different school schedule next year:
Osan American Elementary School students say the Pledge of Allegiance at Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Aug. 25, 2014. Department of Defense Dependents Schools began the new school year this week.
Department of Defense Education Activity middle and high school students in Seoul will attend classes on a “hybrid” schedule next year that combines traditional seven-period days and block-scheduled days within a single week, officials announced last week.
The change will mean more time in the classroom and fewer mix-ups at Seoul American High School over which classes students should be attending on a given day, principal Kathleen Reiss said.
The school now operates on a block schedule, with “A” and “B” class schedules alternating daily.
“It’s constant confusion now,” Reiss said. “There’s not a day that goes by that somebody doesn’t ask me, ‘Is this A day or B day?’ ”
Under the hybrid schedule, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays will be seven-period days. Wednesdays and Thursdays will be block-scheduled days, with a built-in seminar period used for assemblies, makeup tests and other instructional purposes. [Stars & Stripes]
You can read more at the link, but I love the picture the S&S decided to add to the article.
A South Korean boy celebrates with a U.S. soldier as he visits a U.S. Army air defense artillery unit in Suwon, just south of Seoul, on May 5, 2015, as part of a Children’s Day event. (Yonhap)
The 2nd Infantry Division is moving forward with its combined division concept with the ROK Army:
2nd Infantry Division civil affairs officer Lt. Col. Gil Kwon, left, and his deputy, Lt. Col. Michael Cole have shared an office at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea since Kwon and 30 other South Korean officers joined the division in January.
It’s a little cramped these days in the office that South Korean Lt. Col. Gil Kwon shares with his deputy, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Cole.
But they are learning more about each other every day as the two countries’ militaries try to bridge cultural gaps and prepare for a major reorganization that will shift south most U.S. forces from bases north of Seoul to an expanded megabase at Camp Humphreys.
What’s left will be a combined U.S.-South Korean unit prepared to defend the peninsula if war were to break out with North Korea.
The transformation involves adding South Korean troops and units, including 31 staff officers and an entire infantry brigade; replacing the Camp Hovey-based 1st “Iron” Brigade Combat Team with U.S.-based rotational brigades on nine-month deployments, and moving the bulk of the division to Camp Humphreys.
South Korean and U.S. officers started sharing offices inside 2nd Infantry Division headquarters on Camp Red Cloud in January as part of the transformation. In January, the division received a complement of 31 Korean officers with ranks ranging from major up to a brigadier general who is now deputy 2nd ID commander, said Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, who turned over command of the division to Maj. Gen. Theodore Martin last week. Vandal spent the past two years preparing for the changeover.
The South Korean officers speak English and have experience at U.S. and British military schools. Each is paired with a U.S. counterpart with one serving as the other’s deputy, he said. [Stars & Stripes]
You can read the rest at the link, but 1st Brigade on Camp Hovey will deactivate this summer and be replaced by rotational units coming to Korea from the US for 9 months at a time. The rotational units will train with the 16th ROK Brigade.
The protesters actually get themselves together a good size crowd of about a thousand people to protest for this huge sum of compensation money:
Men shave their heads in protest during a demonstration April 3, 2015, over a history of incidents near the Rodriguez Range live-fire complex in Pocheon, South Korea. The large range is frequently used by both U.S. and South Korean forces.
A citizens group living near the Rodriguez Range live-fire complex in South Korea is calling for 11 trillion won ($10.2 billion) as compensation for training-related incidents during the past six decades, organizers said Monday following a recent protest.
The call by the private Youngpyeong Seungjin Firing Range Task Force for payment from the national government to Pocheon, an area of about 160,000 residents living between Seoul and the Demilitarized Zone, came after the group demonstrated Friday against range accidents. The city of Pocheon has not endorsed the request.
Senior 8th Army officials drove to the village and compensated the homeowner that day, while South Korea soldiers fixed the damaged roof.
Citizens group officials said they counted more than 1,000 people attending a protest Friday, which had been planned prior to the errant round incident, though the figure could not be independently confirmed. Local police told Stars and Stripes they did not count the crowd but had been told to expect about 500 people. [Stars & Stripes]
You can read the rest at the link, but there is no way I envision that much money going to the city of Pocheon. Live fire training has to be conducted somewhere just like their has to be an airport constructed somewhere. What matters is if all the proper safety precautions are being taken to minimize accidents like what happened with the misfired Stryker training round.
As of this week the 2nd Infantry Division has a new commander:
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea (April 24, 2015) — Maj. Gen. Theodore “Ted” D. Martin assumes as the 2nd Infantry Division commanding general from Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal. Vandal served as the commanding general for the 2nd Inf. Div. for 22 months.
The 2nd Inf. Div. hosted the change of command ceremony at the Indianhead Field at Camp Casey, South Korea, April 24.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to have served in this storied and proud Division at such a significant time of transformation in its history,” said Vandal. “In so many ways, it has been the highlight of my military career as we took on many challenges and opportunities.”
During his time in command Vandal carried out the initial establishment for the Combined Division; employed the first combined arms and aviation rotational battalions to serve on the Korean peninsula; and established the “Think Twice” Campaign, which focuses on emphasizing responsible behavior among Soldiers in the Division, among other things.
“To the Soldiers of the 2nd Inf. Div., you are proud professionals and I am honored to have served as your commanding general,” said Vandal. “I thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Vandal also added that this July will be the 50th Anniversary of the 2nd Inf. Div.’s continued service on the Korean peninsula. “The friendship and mutual sacrifice is what makes this Alliance so great,” added Vandal.
Although the Vandal family will be leaving Warrior Country, they will not be too far away. Vandal will be assuming duties as the assistant chief of staff, C-3/J-3, at United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea.
Before assuming command of the 2nd Inf. Div. Martin served as the commanding general for the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Martin’s family military heritage goes back more than ten generations.
Martin said that as little boys he and his three brothers wanted to grow up to be just like their father: a Soldier who had experience serving in Korea. “Today the dream becomes a reality, as I now have the honor to serve where he once fought during the Korean War,” added Martin. [Army.mil]
You can read the rest at the link, but that is pretty cool that MG Martin’s dad served during the Korean War and now he is in command of the last US Army division in Korea.
A couple of USFK servicemembers have found themselves in trouble and it made the local news:
Police said Tuesday that they have arrested a U.S. serviceman over an alleged assault on a South Korean employee at a local club after being drunk.
The 29-year-old U.S. soldier, whose name has not been revealed, was arrested Sunday on accusations of hitting a South Korean employee’s face with a brick at a club located in the central Seoul.
Police said the sergeant was kicked out of the club after being too drunk and was protesting against the move when he made the assault.
He was immediately arrested and was handed over to the U.S. military police. Police said they will summon the soldier for further investigation in the near future.
In a separate case, another 28-year-old U.S. sergeant was also questioned by police on Sunday after fighting with three South Koreans. (Yonhap)
