7th Air Force Commander bids farewell to Korea, USAF

  • Published
  • By Maj. Eric Badger
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs Office
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  After an incomparable 3-year tenure on the Korean Peninsula and an illustrious career that spans more than 34 years, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington and his wife, Machelle, are bidding a heart-felt farewell to Korea Jan. 6, 2012 and to the United States Air Force March 1, 2012.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington is the Deputy Commander, United Nations Command Korea; Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea; Commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command; and Commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Osan Air Base, South Korea. He is also the U.S. representative to the joint committee for the Status of Forces agreement between the two countries.

Crimson Sky journalist Airman 1st Class Michael Battles sat down with Lt Gen Remington to discuss his experiences in Korea and to reflect on his stellar career.

Crimson Sky: What impact do you feel you've had on the 7th Air Force?

Lt Gen Remington: I think I've brought an operational perspective to 7th Air Force. We're all about 'fight tonight'. Our focus is on what we need to do better in our tactics, techniques and procedures. I brought knowledge with me, from previous experiences and being in the Pacific before, of how to work with the Koreans. We don't just focus on Korea. We now have more of a Northeast Asia perspective. We focus on understanding the impact of any kind of war plan we may have to execute here in the protection of South Korea, and the impact these war plans would have on Northeast Asia. In addition, we've enhanced our ability to acquire the appropriate resources and advocate for those resources.

Crimson Sky: What or who was the most memorable during your time here?

Lt Gen Remington: I will tell you that I have been all over the world in my 34 and a half years of service. Nowhere have I, my family or Airmen in general been treated as warmly as we are in the Republic of Korea. The South Koreans have welcomed us with open arms. They recognize the stability we bring to their nation. They recognize the sacrifices we have made. This alliance is forged in blood. They are very thankful for that, and as a result they are very warm and supportive of the US military. The US military is not only one of the most respected organizations in America, it's just as much so in Korea.

Crimson Sky: What is your forecast on relations with North Korea?

Lt Gen Remington: It's hard to say, hence the planning that we do -- a war plan to deter and to defeat North Korea should we need to do that. We also look at the possibility of instability in North Korea. We are very concerned about the transition of power if and when Kim Jong-Il passes away. Whether or not the transfer of power happens in a peaceful manner is to be determined. There are a lot of people up there starving, and we are very concerned about that. I would say a full-out attack on South Korea by North Korea might not be as probable as it once was, but it is most definitely possible. I think we need to be more worried about instability. Instability in North Korea can create instability in South Korea and China. The North Koreans could lose control of fissile material or nuclear weapons, or it could get into the hands of the wrong people. With these crude nuclear devices and enriched uranium they claim to have, it's a very dangerous situation. It's hard to predict. So we need to be prepared for all different kinds of circumstances--from counter-provocation, to instability, to all-out war.

Crimson Sky: Knowing we've already been here for 50 years in a semi-stable tension, how do you foresee the current budget reduction decisions impacting operations in 7AF?

Lt Gen Remington: The U.S. military commitment to the Korean Peninsula will not change. Whether our force structure changes is still to be determined. We are still very early in the budget discussions -- $10 billion dollars a year for 10 years just to the Air Force. It's roughly the same to the other services. We either have to reduce our size or quit certain missions. But I do maintain that the alliance will only grow stronger over time, and the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with the ROK. It is still to be determined whether that's through a force deployment or through forces that are actually on the Korean Peninsula. Our size may change a bit, and airframes will change over time as we modernize our fleet. It's also important to remember that as we modernize our fleet, we may have less.

Crimson Sky: What is your parting message for the men and women of 7AF?

Lt Gen Remington: My parting shot to Airmen today is that we are going to change. We may become a bit smaller and we may have to be more mobile. However, the one thing that cannot change is we cannot be any less lethal. Air, space and cyberspace are the domains that we will fight in. Be as knowledgeable as you can in whatever specialty we've signed up to do. Understand the tenets of airpower and understand how being a professional gives you all the credibility in the world. Know your job, understand it, be able to explain it, and more than anything be able to live it.

Crimson Sky: What does the future hold for you? How will you remain connected to the Air Force you've served for so long?

Lt Gen Remington: I will stay connected to the Air Force through the various Air Force organizations as an advocate for the Air Force and airpower. What does the future hold for me? That's the million dollar question. I don't know. I may go work in the Aerospace Defense industry, the hotel industry, or the insurance industry. I look forward to whatever opportunity may come our way. My wife and I are extremely excited, but not because we're leaving the Air Force. That's the sad part because it's all I've done for the past 34 and half years. It will be an adjustment for us, but we're excited about the opportunities ahead.

Crimson Sky: What will you miss most about being in uniform?

Lt Gen Remington: I'll definitely miss the people and the camaraderie the most.

Crimson Sky: Do you have any regrets?

Lt Gen Remington: None.

Crimson Sky: Is there anything you'd like to add?

Lt Gen Remington: The one thing I tell Airmen everywhere I go is to never apologize for how good we are. Be proud of yourself and be humble, but never, ever apologize for how good you are. It's been a pleasure serving with you, thank you.

Lieutenant General Jan-Marc Jouas, currently the Director of Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will assume command from Lieutenant General Remington Jan. 6, 2012.

(Airman 1st Class Michael Battles, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, contributed to this article)