Kunsan Air Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, South Korea
Installation Type: Air Base
Status: Active

Overview

Kunsan Air Base, known as “The Wolf Pack,” is located along the Yellow Sea coast in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. Established in the early 1950s during the Korean War, Kunsan serves as a frontline tactical air base supporting the defense of the Korean Peninsula. Kunsan is designated as an unaccompanied tour (remote tour) — family members are not authorized to accompany service members to this installation.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide combat-ready F-16 airpower to deter aggression and defend the Republic of Korea in support of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
Major Units:
8th Fighter Wing (8 FW) — “The Wolf Pack”; host wing equipped with F-16C/D Fighting Falcons
8th Operations Group
8th Mission Support Group
8th Maintenance Group
8th Medical Group
Tenant Units: Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) units on the shared airfield; various USFK tenant support elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Gunsan city, immediately adjacent to the base; Jeonju approximately 40 km east; Daejeon approximately 90 km northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Gunsan Airport (civilian terminal adjacent to base); Jeonju does not have a major airport; Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) approximately 180 km north is the primary international gateway
Gate Access: Main gate operates 24 hours; CAC or valid DoD identification required. Visitor passes issued at the Visitor Control Center with proper sponsorship and identification. Korean nationals follow separate SOFA-based access procedures.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000–6,000 (unaccompanied tour only; fluctuates with rotational units)
Family Members: Not applicable — Kunsan is an unaccompanied/remote tour; families remain at the home station
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,000–1,500 (U.S. and Korean)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 6,000–7,500 (all unaccompanied)

Key Facilities

Medical: 8th Medical Group — clinic providing primary care, dental, and mental health services; serious cases evacuated to 65th Medical Brigade at Humphreys (Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek) or Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; primary shopping option for unaccompanied personnel
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — BX with retail, electronics, food court, barber, and other services geared toward unaccompanied personnel
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; indoor pool; intramural sports leagues (very active due to unaccompanied nature); bowling center; movie theater; outdoor recreation; USO presence
Schools: No DoDEA schools — unaccompanied tour; no dependent children authorized on base
Childcare: No CDC — unaccompanied tour; not applicable
Veterinary Services: Limited veterinary services on base; primarily for government-owned working dogs; personal pet ownership is significantly restricted during unaccompanied tours and personal pets are generally not authorized
Legal Assistance / JAG: 8th Fighter Wing Legal Office — appointment and walk-in services; handles wills, powers of attorney, SOFA-related legal matters, and separation/administrative actions; especially important for personnel dealing with legal issues related to remote tour challenges

Housing

On-Base Housing: All unaccompanied personnel assigned to dormitories (dorm rooms) on base; E1–E4 typically share rooms; E5 and above may have single rooms depending on availability; dorm conditions are generally adequate to good with recent renovation projects
Average Wait Time: Not applicable — all personnel live in dorms on base during the unaccompanied tour
Off-Base Housing: A limited number of senior NCOs and officers may be authorized off-base living arrangements, though most personnel reside in dorms; Gunsan city has affordable rental options (KRW 300,000–700,000/month for goshiwon/small apartments)
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. Note: service members on unaccompanied tours retain BAH at the “with dependents” rate for their home station if dependents reside there.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Gaining unit orderly room or first sergeant assigns a sponsor; request a sponsor through official sponsorship program before departure; sponsors are critical at Kunsan due to the unique demands of the unaccompanied tour environment
In-Processing: Report to the 8th Mission Support Group in-processing; mandatory newcomer orientation covers USFK regulations, curfew policies, ration control, and liberty restrictions; plan approximately 3–5 days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment is still required for service members with special needs dependents even at unaccompanied tours, as dependents remain at the home station; contact gaining medical group to ensure records are current; home station EFMP office manages dependent support during absence

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: The U.S.-Republic of Korea Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) governs the legal status of U.S. personnel in Korea. The U.S. retains primary criminal jurisdiction for on-duty offenses; Korean authorities have jurisdiction for off-duty civilian criminal offenses. The SOFA has been revised and remains a politically sensitive agreement; service members should be thoroughly briefed on its implications during in-processing.
Host Nation Rules: Korean law applies off base. Drug use is strictly illegal and treated as a severe offense. Public intoxication and disorderly conduct are taken seriously by Korean law enforcement and result in both criminal and UCMJ consequences. Respect for Korean customs, especially toward elders, is expected.
Curfew Policy: USFK curfew applies to all U.S. military personnel in Korea. Curfew hours restrict off-base movement, typically from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. (check current USFK General Order No. 1 for exact times, as they are subject to change). Violation of curfew is a serious UCMJ offense. The “Liberty” program at Kunsan includes a buddy system requirement for off-base travel — personnel are typically required to travel off base in pairs or groups.
Ration Card / Customs: Korea uses a ration control program managed through USFK. Service members receive a ration card controlling duty-free purchases of alcohol, tobacco, and certain other goods from AAFES and the commissary. Off-base resale of duty-free goods is prohibited and is a serious criminal offense. The ration card must be presented at time of purchase.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: Personal vehicles are generally not recommended at Kunsan for unaccompanied personnel due to the short tour length (typically 12 months). If a vehicle is brought, it must be registered with USFK and meet Korean safety standards; SOFA license plates are required. A USFK driver’s license is required (obtained on base based on a valid U.S. license). Korean traffic laws apply and driving on the right-hand side of the road is standard.
Language & Culture: Korean (Hangul) is the official language. English is understood in many areas near U.S. military installations, but off-base communication often requires Korean language basics. Korean language classes are available on base through the Education Center. Respect cultural norms including hierarchy, appropriate greetings (slight bow for elders), and removing shoes in homes.
Currency & Banking: South Korean Won (KRW) is the local currency. On-base banking at the AAFES/Chase ATMs and Community Bank branch; KEB Hana Bank (partnered with USFK) is available. Off-base ATMs widely accept international cards in Gunsan city.
Travel Restrictions: USFK General Order No. 1 restricts travel — service members must comply with the Kunsan liberty area boundaries, which define approved off-base travel zones. Travel outside approved areas requires chain of command approval. Travel to North Korea is strictly prohibited. Travel outside Korea requires leave and command approval.
Mail: PSC 470 Box [unit], APO AP 96264; allow 10–21 days for standard CONUS mail; Priority Mail generally 7–14 days
Pets: Personal pets are not authorized at Kunsan AB due to the unaccompanied tour designation. Working dogs assigned to security forces are present. Ensure family pets are cared for at the home station or with family members during the tour. Korea has strict quarantine requirements (10 days minimum) for dogs and cats arriving from the U.S., but this is not applicable for unaccompanied tours.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Four distinct seasons; hot and humid summers (28–35 degrees Celsius); cold winters with occasional snow (minus 5 to minus 10 degrees Celsius); monsoon rain season (jangma) in June–July; Yellow Sea coastal location provides some moderation
Cost of Living: Generally affordable; Korean food and local consumer goods are inexpensive; American-style goods and imported products are more expensive; unaccompanied tour members often save money due to limited off-base expenditures
Nearby Attractions: Gunsan Modern History Museum (reflecting Japanese colonial period); Saemangeum Seawall; nearby Jeonju (40 km) is famous for bibimbap and traditional hanok village (Jeonju Hanok Village); local seafood markets and restaurants on the Yellow Sea coast; weekend trips to Seoul are common
Spouse Employment: Not applicable — unaccompanied tour; spouses remain at home station; home station A&FRC should be consulted for spouse support resources during the service member’s deployment/remote tour

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.kunsan.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: +82-63-470-1110 (DSN: 782-1110)
MWR Website: https://www.kunsan.af.mil/Units/Kunsan-MWR/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — DSN 782-4440 or commercial +82-63-470-4440; also coordinates with home station A&FRCs for family support

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Training knowledge (cutoff August 2025); kunsan.af.mil; USFK General Order No. 1; DTMO OHA reference; USFK SOFA information; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law