Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea -- OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea. — On July 17, 2025, the 51st Mission Support Group hosted a joint logistics and transportation training event with the Korean Service Corps Battalion at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The training focused on establishing bed-down locations and executing cargo-handling operations to boost interoperability and contingency readiness.
The hands-on exercise offered U.S. Air Force and USFK personnel the opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding, refine operational procedures, and reinforce their working relationship.
The Korean Service Corps is a paramilitary civilian organization assigned to the U.S. Eighth Army in South Korea. Established during the Korean War, the corps is composed of Korean civilian personnel who provide critical logistical, transportation and base support to U.S. forces across the peninsula. The KSC is responsible for tasks such as convoy operations, supply distribution, equipment movement and wartime augmentation, ensuring that U.S. and allied forces remain ready to respond to contingencies. Their work is essential in maintaining operational readiness and strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance.
“Today’s training was a great showcase of the importance of partnerships between the United States and Korea,” said Capt. Alexander J. Strickland, 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron, fuels management flight commander. “Interoperability is the key to success, and this exercise enhanced our ability to work alongside each other. Our goal is to strengthen our relationship with the KSC to the maximum extent possible, ensuring seamless integration in the event of a contingency.”
Joint teams conducted training to assemble bunk beds, familiarization with hand held communications and logistics operations to enhance base support-integration personnel for future operations and exercises. While the task may have appeared routine, participants emphasized its critical role in overall mission support.
“Anytime we can integrate with and work alongside our USFK counterparts, it enhances our joint capability,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cody Luginbill, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron, Operations Planner, Structures. “We learn from them and they learn from us, and we both walk away more prepared to face future operational challenges.”
Luginbill also highlighted the motivation and professionalism of the Korean Service Corps personnel.
“They were all highly motivated and hardworking,” he said. “This was my first time working directly with the KSC, and that alone made this event stand out.”
Joint exercises reinforce the combined readiness posture of U.S. and Korean forces, laying the foundation for stronger integration during any future operations across the peninsula.