- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
| Sunday, January 07, 2007 | (No comments posted.)
At first glance everything about this U.S. air base just south of the capital city of Seoul, South Korea makes it look like any other base around the world.
Modern barracks, American restaurants, tons of shopping -- even a golf course - make the base one of the better assignments in the Air Force. But for the daughter of a Merrillville man, it's what is not obvious that makes this assignment one of the most tense in the world.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Ashley D. Ishmon, daughter of Ivory Ishmon of Merrillville, is often awakened to early-morning siren blasts and ominous messages over the loud speaker and forced to don her gas mask and grab her weapon in preparation for an enemy that waits just 50 miles away.
Ishmon is an outbound assignment counselor with the 51st Mission Support Squadron, part of a unit that is literally the first line of air support should a conflict ever be sparked between democratic South Korea and their communist neighbor to the north.
"I process orders and conduct mass briefings for military members who are leaving Korea. I want to make sure that they have a successful permanent change of station," said Ishmon, who graduated in 2001 from Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis.
As the most forward deployed wing in the world, the airmen of the 51st Fighter Wing are capable of providing combat ready forces in a moment's notice. Recent events have reinforced the need for alertness.
"The situation in North Korea has made my mission a little more critical. It has also made my situation awareness more important," she said.
Living in Korea, where the sights and smells are like nothing ever encountered in the United States, is an eye opener for Americans stationed here. "The culture here is awesome. The people are really friendly and there are a lot of tasty foods," she explained. "I have been to the capital, Seoul, which has a lot of cheap shopping." Even though they have some of the creature comforts of home, being separated from loved ones can make it hard to stay focused on readiness, especially during the holiday season. "It's hard being away from my family. I miss being with them because of all of the good times that we share with each other. But I know that my tour will end here and I will be reunited with my friends and loved ones," said Ishmon.
Although most airmen consider this to be the "garden spot" assignment, Ishmon and her fellow airmen must remember at all times that danger is only minutes away.
- For The Times
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.