Like I said before, I was going to wait until USFK provided the other side of the story before commenting on the allegations from two Osan AB employees that they were abused by two Air Force security personnel. Sure enough the other side of the story was far different from the one presented by the two employees and Oh My News:
Base officials said that while detaining the men, one of the civilian’s cheeks was scratched because he moved while being taken to the ground.
The movement caused the security forces member to lose his grip and the man to “come into contact with the grass,” where his own eyeglasses scratched his face.
The incident occurred after the men tried to enter an area that houses a “highly sensitive strategic national intelligence asset” for South Korea without proper authorization or identification, officials told Stars and Stripes in a written response to questions.
The men were detained until “the facts of the situation could be verified,” according to the statement.
Both men were seen by a doctor at the Osan medical center. They were released with “no documented medical problems other than one minor abrasion,” according to the statement. [Stars & Stripes]
In typical anti-USFK fashion the two people in question are claiming racism:
He said that guard’s actions were disrespectful and indicate “racial discrimination against the Koreans.”
Officials at Osan responded to this claim pretty well:
Osan officials, however, said the same procedures would be applied to “any personnel, regardless of nationality, military or civilian status, in the same situation.”
Originally I was thinking these two ajushis were pissed off because they were detained and had an axe to grind and fed their side of the story to Oh My News. Now I’m wondering if the reason these two are making such a big issue out of this is because they fear losing their jobs for the security violation. Remember the original report from Oh My News claimed that the two were detained for carrying fraudulent identification which the Stars & Stripes report made no mention of.
So if these guys can turn this into an anti-US issue it deflects attention away from their own indiscretion. I expect Osan will not bring up the issue anymore and these two will quit talking to Oh My News and this just all goes away.
Popularity: 2%
12:33 pm on February 23rd, 2008 1
Yep, like I thought as well. The rest of the story makes a world of difference.
2:16 pm on February 23rd, 2008 2
I just wonder what they were doing trying to get into a restricted area anyway….The paper did not even address that
Speaking of racism, today I needed to change my door knob to my office. Simple thing to do right. I wanted to get this thing done quick so I did not call DPW…So I went to the Humphreys PX…No Door knob replace mt. Next day I went to Osan and they also did not have the replacement door knob…they checked all the other PX and guess what? The PX no longer carries Freakin DOOR KNOBS and the Koreans do not make a DOOR KNOB replacement that works for the Average American door.
AFFESS pisses me off every day. Its bad enough they refuse to put fresh honey rolls in the vending machine (instead of really old and some are opened) And they fact for over a year they still cant figure out that Diet coke goes in the Diet Coke selection
I think we need a replacement for AAFFESS if they cannot have simple things like Door Knobs and fresh honey dew roles
3:36 pm on February 23rd, 2008 3
Don’t taze me, nam-dongsaeng!
3:54 pm on February 23rd, 2008 4
Maybe racism had a little to do with a ‘foot to the neck,’ but I’ve been slammed to the ground for the exact same thing and I ain’t even Korean. However, I only got a ‘foot to the back.’
4:53 pm on February 23rd, 2008 5
[...] (HT to ROK Drop) [...]
10:52 pm on February 23rd, 2008 6
I thought most of security personnels are combined US-ROK AF security personnel in Osan. Weren’t there any ROK AF SP/MP at this guard post? There is no reporting on the race-ethnic make up of US Guards. (It would be funny if these SPs were Korean Americans.)
8:27 am on February 24th, 2008 7
Cpt Kim,
The only place you have joint security guards are at the gates and facilities like the HTACC and KCOIC bunkers, where you also have a large number ROK military working. And (I think)the ROK guys only check ROKAF personnel badges and identification - physical security itself falls on the AF SP’s (I could be wrong, but in 10 years, I’ve never seen the ROKAF cops do more than check ID cards). The flightline and other areas like the U2 area are all manned by U.S. Air Force Security Police.
9:24 am on February 24th, 2008 8
Nomad,
It is so good to hear from you. I am glad that you chimed in on my comment. Thanks I hope you are enjoying your Hiatus (sp?) from blogging.
10:06 am on February 24th, 2008 9
I’ll wager that these two douchebags get a call from the Songtan Businessman’s Association, and the incident will rapidly fade.
Nobody, but nobody, goes near the Blackcat ramp unless they have the area marked on their line badge, or are escorted by someone with does. These bozos ‘broke red’ and are trying to save their asses. Probably civil engineer KGS’s.
Nomad is right on target. The ROKAF SP draftees are nothing more than ID checkers. It’s funny when, on the rare occasion, ROKAF assists with enforcing parking violations on ROKAF POVs, you’ll see a real ROK SP, typically a SNCO or warrant officer.
3:38 pm on February 24th, 2008 10
CPT Kim,
Thank you, and yes, I am enjoying my new-found free time very much. As are my wife and daughter
9:56 am on April 1st, 2008 11