Osan has hosted many types of fighter aircraft in its history, from the F-86s during the Korean War, F-100s in the late 1950s, F-105s in 1962-1963, F-106s in 1968-69, F-4s in 1971. Concrete surfaces were restored in 1957 and total renovation projects were completed in 1958 when the base became a permanent peacetime installation. During that time most facilities fell into disrepair.
The 18th FBW provided air operations in support of UN ground forces during the Korean conflict.įollowing the war, Osan AB was transitioned to standby status and hosted only temporary duty or transient units involved in PACAF tactical operations. The runway opened in December 1952, with the advance elements of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing arriving for duty late in the month. The rolling hills were transformed into a base of operation and the runway was completed in less than six months. Elements of the 839th, 841st, and 417th Engineering Battalions took part in constructing the base. A fifth Korean village (unnamed) was relocated in 1953 to enlarge the compound area for the location of Headquarters, 5th Air Force, which maintained an advanced headquarters until the arrival of the 314th Air Division in 1954. Air Force to purchase 1,250 acres in 1952 to expand the base. They completed the 9,000-foot runway in November 1952. Osan Air Base is one of two major airfields operated by the United States in Korea. For his heroic actions, Captain Millett received the Medal of Honor. Millett and his soldiers charged the communist Chinese forces holding Hill 180, which dominates present day Osan Air Base. Part of a larger force charged with the task of clearing the Republic of Korea of all communist troops south of Seoul, Army Capt. Army company-strength bayonet charge since World War I, which occurred on Feb. Osan also is remembered as the location for the first U.S. The larger memorial on the east side of the road was erected by the Republic of Korea to honor the gallant men of Task Force Smith who had fought so bravely. On the west side of the highway a stone pillar constructed by Companies B and C of the 3rd Engineering Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, pays tribute to the first American soldier who gave his life in the valley. Topping a hill a few miles north of Osan on the road to Suwon stand two monuments. The delaying actions fought by Task Force Smith and the 34th Infantry enabled the 24th Infantry Division to land in Korea and establish and hold the "Pusan Perimeter" along the Naktong River. Delaying actions continued just north of Chonan, until the weary soldiers pulled back to Taejon where General Dean had established his headquarters. Outnumbered, outgunned, and out of ammunition, the survivors managed to fight their way clear and reach Pyongtaek where they joined elements of the 34th Infantry Regiment. The battle raged for seven hours as the task force held firm against an entire communist division. On July 5, 1950, "Task Force Smith" engaged the enemy near Chukini-Ryong. Dean time to regroup United Nations forces and establish a defensive perimeter. Smith's mission was to halt the enemy drive south and allow Maj. Charles Bradford Smith, this force of 540 men, now called "Task Force Smith" moved into position at Juk Mi Pass, just south of Suwon Air Base, where they faced more than 5,000 North Korean soldiers and 34 Soviet built T-34 tanks. There they were joined by elements of an artillery battalion. Dean, commander of the 24th Infantry Division, sent two under strength infantry companies and a headquarters element from Japan to Pyongtaek July 2, 1950. To halt the advancing North Korean army, which had seized Seoul and was pushing south, Maj. The first ground combat action between American and North Korean forces was fought just a few miles north of Osan Air Base. Osan is situated near the site of two significant battles that occurred early in the Korean War. A large ginkgo tree that was in the village square of one of these villages still stands on a hill in the present golf course site.
The four villages that were moved to make room for the base were Jeuk-Bong-Ri, Chang-Deung-ri, Shin-Ya-Ri and Ya-Ri. The first base commander named the base Osan, as it was the only village shown in this region on military maps and because it was easy to pronounce. The base was not named for any of the villages on the site. Originally designated K-55, the base was redesignated as Osan Air Base in September 1956. Prior to the invasion of the Republic of Korea by the North Korean communists in 1950, the area, now designated Osan Air Base, consisted of four villages near the hillsides and a large number of rice paddies where the runway now lies.
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