PACAF commander redesignates Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rene White
  • Seventh Air Forces, Air Forces Korea Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Korean citizens provided support to Airmen, while Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander, opened a new chapter for the primary combat air force provider to the Republic of Korea, as he uncased the Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea flag and appointed Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, Seventh Air Force, AFKOR commander, Jan. 30.

The re-designation ceremony for America's oldest numbered Air Force was translated into Korean and witnessed by close to 2,000 Korean nationals and U.S. and Republic of Korea servicemembers. It also begins a historical new chapter in the transformation of forces in the Republic of Korea.

"This change enhances our ability to Fly, Fight and Win," said General Wood, now the Seventh Air Forces, AFKOR commander. "It enables us to better provide critical component capabilities to the U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. B. B. Bell, ensuring a key element of the joint and coalition operations on the Korean peninsula."

The re-designation effort marks the implementation of the chief of staff of the Air Force's direction to establish an Air Force component organization structured to operate and train everyday in its wartime configuration. Warfighting organizations are being stood up around the globe to enable the effective command and control of air, space and cyberspace forces conducting missions across the spectrum of military operations.

"We commemorate the proud heritage, tradition of honor and a legacy of valor that Seventh Air Force has woven into the history of the United States Air Force," said Chaplain (Maj.) Randall Kitchens, 51st Fighter Wing senior Protestant chaplain, during the invocation.

The Seventh Air Force, AFKOR operates more than 100 combat and combat support aircraft with the strength of more than 7,800 Airmen and civilians, supporting the ROK/US alliance along with its joint U.S. partners - Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

After General Wood assumed command, with the assistance of Chief Master Sgt. Ray Allen, the highest ranking U.S. Air Force enlisted member in the Republic of Korea, he immediately redesignated one group, inactivated two and activated another in an effort to consolidate and streamline the organization. This new structure promises to improve air and space power, using an Air and Space Operations Center, an Air Force Forces or AFFOR Staff, and a new support group.

- The general re-designated the 607th Air Operations Group to the 607th Air and Space Operations Center. Brig. Gen. Michael Keltz accepted command, assisted by Chief Master Sgt. Dan Moran in casing the old colors and uncasing the new.
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- General Wood then inactivated two squadrons: the 607th Combat Operations Squadron, commanded by Col. Robert Kyrouac assisted by Master Sgt. Tommy Manis; and the 607th Combat Plans Squadron, commanded by Col. Steven Bashman, assisted by Master Sgt. James Lyda.

- Finally, the general stood up the 607th Support Group. Col. Ronald "Keith" Miller accepted command, assisted by Chief Master Sgt. Mike Smith.

Others who participated in the ceremony include the "Commander of Airmen," Brig. Gen. "Punch" Moulton Seventh Air Force, AFKOR vice commander.

Distinguished guests included Republic of Korea Air Force:
- Commander, Air Force Operations Command - Lt. Gen. Cho, Won Gun and Mrs. Cho
- Commander, Air Defense Artillery Command - Maj. Gen. Kwon, Choon Soong
- Chief of Staff, Air Force Operations Command - Brig. Gen. Park, Jae Ku

Other representatives of the host nation showed their support, including Korean honorary commanders and local wing and group partners.

The Seventh Air Force, AFKOR provides "Ready to Fight Tonight" expeditionary air and space power, including command and control and information operations, like no other military in the world.

Headquartered at Osan, Seventh Air Force, AFKOR leads Airmen in planning and directing air component operations in the Republic of Korea and Northeast Asia in support of U.S. Pacific Command, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea.

Seventh Air Force, AFKOR Airmen are "on watch" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - serving along side the United States' finest Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and hand-in-hand with their Korean counterparts - all doing their part to help guarantee the Republic of Korea's freedoms and future.