51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published October 26, 2020
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, Seventh Air Force commander, along with base and project leaders prepare to cut a ribbon during a ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 26, 2020. The ceremony was the official opening of the 731st Air Mobility Squadron’s new state-of-the-art air freight terminal, a project which was in the works since 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Murray, 731st Air Mobility Squadron commander, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 26, 2020. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the squadron’s new state-of-the art air freight terminal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Murray, 731st Air Mobility Squadron commander (right), participates in a traditional Korean “Gosa” offering during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 26, 2020. A “Gosa” ritual includes offering food and money to the spirits to bring good luck and avoid misfortune. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
Members from across the installation gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony observing the 731st Air Mobility Squadron’s new air freight terminal, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 26, 2020. The $34 million project enhances the squadron’s ability to support the readiness of U.S. Forces on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
Members from across the installation watch a live-feed of U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Terry, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 26, 2020. The 731st Air Mobility Squadron, a geographically-separated unit under the 515th AMOW, held the ceremony to mark the official opening of the squadron’s new state-of-the-art air freight terminal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
The 731st Air Mobility Squadron’s new air freight terminal sits on the flight line following construction completion at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2020. The $34 million state-of-the-art increased the unit’s cargo and warehouse storage space by over 50 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
The cargo warehouse of the 731st Air Mobility Squadron sits empty following construction completion at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2020. The warehouse is part of the squadron’s new air freight terminal, which increased the unit’s storage space by more than 50 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Team Osan’s 731st Air Mobility Squadron officially opened a new air freight terminal, during a ribbon cutting ceremony here Oct. 26, 2020.
The $34 million state-of-the-art air freight terminal, broke ground in November 2017 as part of a two-phase project to optimize the readiness for the pacific theater serving as the main logistical hub for the Korean peninsula.
“This new air freight terminal is bringing the 731st Air Mobility Squadron into the modern era; expanding our capability in handling all inbound and outbound Department of Defense and joint-service air cargo for the Korean peninsula,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Murray, 731st AMS commander.
With the first phase of the project complete, nearly doubling their cargo yard space, the 731st AMS will be able to more efficiently maneuver cargo. They have tripled their usable warehouse space, which will enable their ability to handle more cargo than before and remain a key contributor to the delivery of persistent joint air and space power.
“We take all the cargo for the entirety of Korea here,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Brodeur, 731st AMS special handling supervisor. “This warehouse gives us the space so we can handle a big influx of cargo compared to the last warehouse, and better equipment to get the jobs done faster. It's very beneficial in terms of the ‘Fight Tonight’ attitude we have here.”
The terminal includes upgraded freight storage spaces with a security cage, larger refrigerators and freezers, climate-controlled facilities, and covered outside storage.
“This is the result of a collaborative effort of the close relationship we share with the 51st Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, United States Forces Korea, the Combined Forces Command and our Republic of Korea military and civilian partners which has led to an enduring peace and strengthening our efforts,” said Murray.
Bringing this terminal to fruition took the combined efforts of Air Mobility Command, Republic of Korea, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron. While the 731st AMS falls under AMC, the 51st CES oversaw the entire project and ultimately accepted the facility from the contractor on behalf of the U.S. Air Force.
The second phase of this construction project is currently underway with a new air freight material handling equipment maintenance facility projected to be completed next year.
While the increase in storage and warehouse space benefits all of U.S. Forces Korea, the squadron will personally benefit due to the consolidation of personnel to a central location.
The 731st AMS, a tenant unit at Osan AB, is responsible for the operation of the Patriot Express as well as managing all air freight cargo for U.S. Forces Korea while supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command.