Son Of Huntsville Resident Serves In Korea
Last updated Saturday, January 6, 2007 3:40 PM CST in Our Town
By Dona Fair
Air Force Hometown News Service
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea
Being surrounded by rice paddies, in a small fishing village on the Yellow Sea, could be calm and serene.
But for the men and women stationed here, it's not uncommon to be awakened at 5 a.m. from a deep sleep by a thunderous loudspeaker voice announcing an invasion, resulting in the need to jump out of bed, grab chemical warfare gear and rush to work.
Just 100 miles from the demilitarized zone that separates democratic South Korea from the communist North, training like this is commonplace for the son of a Huntsville resident.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher E. Loghry, son of Debra A. Sloan of Huntsville, is an aircraft fuel systems craftsman with the 8th Maintenance Squadron, serving a year-long assignment at this remote base.
"I maintain the internal and external fuel system on the F-16 Fighting Falcons," said Loghry, who graduated in 2001 from Appleton East High School, Wis.
At Kunsan, the men and women in the 8th Fighter Wing also know as the "Wolf Pack," are kept busy conducting air-to-ground and air-to-air missions in support of the F-16 aircraft. As a warrior base, they are at the front lines to deliver lethal airpower when and wherever directed. Recent events in North Korea have reinforced the need for the airmen to always be alert and ready for action.
"The situation in North Korea hasn't changed our mission as far as I know. It has only reinforced exactly why we train, practice and play the way we do-to defend the base, accept follow on forces and take the fight North," explained Loghry.
Life in Korea is often a dramatic contrast for Americans stationed here.
"From what I have seen of Korea, it is a lot nicer and cleaner than I had expected. The country is very beautiful and the culture and history is very interesting," he said. "The Koreans put a great deal of energy and dedication into whatever they are doing."
Missing family birthdays, anniversaries and holidays can make it hard to stay focused on readiness. "I miss my wife and daughter dearly. They are always on my mind and in my heart. Although I miss and love my family, if I didn't believe in what I am doing, then I wouldn't be here," said Loghry.
Although the hours are long and the training intense, Loghry and his fellow Wolf Packers know that whether a 5 a.m. drill or the real thing, they'll be ready to respond.
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