Air Force 1st Lt. Benjamin Carlson teaches English on Monday to Yongmoon Elementary School students. Carlson is a volunteer in an annual program sponsored by the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base. This winter is the first time that wing airmen are teaching in their military uniforms since the wing began its English programs in 2005. Carlson is with the wing’s 8th Civil Engineer Squadron. (Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force)
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — Kunsan Air Base kicked off its annual winter English-teaching program for South Korean school kids this week, this time with a quiet but unmistakable accent on the airmen’s role as members of a U.S. military allied with South Korea.
For the first time since 2005, when Kunsan’s 8th Fighter Wing began sending airmen to local schools, the airmen starting this week are wearing their U.S. Air Force uniforms.
"In previous English camps, our folks just went in civilian attire," wing spokesman 1st Lt. David Herndon said. "I’d argue that many of the children probably just remember them as ‘the teacher,’ as ‘the American teachers.’ To my thought, now, they’ll be remembered as ‘the American servicemember’ that came and participated."
Also for the first time, the program will feature a visit Friday from F-16 fighter pilots from the wing’s 80th Fighter Squadron. They’ll show off some of the flying gear they rely on to stay alive and talk about the wing’s mission.
This season’s program began Monday and ends Jan. 23. It is held at Gunsan’s Yongmoon Elementary School.
About 80 pupils from elementary schools throughout the Gunsan school system have been handpicked by the board of education to attend.
"They’re almost like the top students, the best and brightest in Gunsan, that are headed to this program," Herndon said.
About 24 airmen have volunteered to teach the classes Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Also planned for the class is a Jan. 21 tour of the air base.
Topics covered include basics of English grammar, vocabulary and conversation. The airmen are aided by instructors from the school system who are native Korean speakers.
The wing maintains its various English programs as part of the U.S. Forces Korea Good Neighbor Program, which mandates that all U.S. military units in South Korea take robust, proactive steps to foster goodwill between the American military and local public.
