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Air defenders compete in goodwill soccer match

  • Published
  • By Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich
  • HHB 35th ADA
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, competed in the goodwill soccer match against the Republic of Korea's 2nd ADA BDE in Cheonan on Oct. 18. 

After some preliminary briefings and photo ops, the two partners in peace drew a line in the sand, to do battle on the pitch in cleats instead of combat boots. 

The match was hard-fought with both teams defending their goals with military-like discipline. The ROK drew first blood and opened the scoring, but the U.S. team drew even when Pvt. Elaine P. Good, an intelligence Soldier with HHB 35th ADA BDE, scored the first goal for the U.S. 

After a short half-time, both teams spent the remainder of the game playing tough defense and fighting for the win. After a couple of precision strikes from Lt. Col. Gerald M. Dailey, 35th ADA BDE deputy commander found the back of the net, it looked like the U.S. was going to cruise to a victory. The champagne was kept on ice, and the U.S. was left holding their breath as the ROK team looked to stage a comeback. Cpl. Bang, Kwang Suk, a Korean assigned to U.S. Army Soldier with HHB 35th ADA, scored late in the second half to leave the ROK team just needing the equalizer. The U.S. defense stood strong and held off any comeback ideas the ROK had in store. The 35th ADA BDE team won the game with a final score of 3-2. 

The competition was set up a few months ago between the two air defense brigade commanders as a chance for not only a little competition between the two brigades, but also to build fellowship between the air defenders. 

"It promotes camaraderie between us and our Korean Air Defense counterparts by actively displaying those traits and characteristics necessary to win on the field, as well as in defense of our common interests," said Colonel Dailey. "(Those traits are) teamwork, selflessness, tenacity and determination." 

"It help makes a deeper relationship between the ROK Air Force and the US. Someday if there is war, we need to cooperate, and this helps prepare us for that," said Pvt. Hwang, Eui Yung, a KATUSA Soldier with HHB 35th ADA BDE. 

Another added benefit to this game was that the enlisted Soldiers played alongside officers from both the U.S. and the Korean side. During the second half, both Col. James H. Dickinson, 35th ADA BDE commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. James T. Carr, 35th ADA BDE CSM, played with the Soldiers on the field. 

"The best part was that every commander and every NCO played together," said Private Hwang. 

Following the soccer match, a barbequed meal was served to all the participants, as well as an exchange of gifts. Colonel Dailey and Sgt. Maj. David M. Poehlein, 35th ADA BDE S3 shop sergeant major, serenaded the crowd with "Danny Boy." Every member from the 35th ADA BDE team received a 2nd ADA BDE cap while every player from the 2nd ADA BDE team received a 35th ADA BDE coin from Colonel Dickinson. 

"This has been my best afternoon in Korea," said Colonel Dickinson. 

35th ADA BDE hopes to continue such community relations events in the future because it allows the two cultures to work alongside together outside of the work environment. 

"These community relation events are scheduled throughout the year and will continue so that our Soldiers can better understand and appreciate the warmth and generosity of our hosts and their culture," said Colonel Dailey.