BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Reporting for duty as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee often means getting thrown right into the mix with little to no ramp-up time. You’re expected to be proficient, professional, and capable of accomplishing the mission, no matter what.
As a public affairs IMA with USFK, Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, South Korea, I recently stepped into some high-level situations in a very unstable part of the world when I arrived for my annual tour. When I showed up in January, I was told I would support the largest Department of Defense logistics exercise in history. I found that collaboration with my fellow Airmen, sister-service team mates and Republic of Korea counterparts was critical for success.
Shortly after arriving at my unit, I was informed I would be the PA officer in charge for Operation Pacific Reach and was sent to the rehearsal of concept drills. After arriving in the southern part of Korea for the rehearsal, I met up with my counterpart, an Army type from my unit, who had been on the ground for less than three weeks himself. We had little information as to what we were walking into but by pooling our resources were able to pull together a successful framework for the operation.
Imagine showing up at an indiscriminate warehouse in the dead of winter, very little heat, and walking into a large, Hollywood-style military briefing room and being told that you, a first lieutenant, will brief the three-star general and his ROK counterpart on the public affairs concept of support for an international media day for an upcoming operation. It was a bit nerve-wracking but, thanks to the support of my Army and ROK counterparts, everything came off without a hitch and I left the rehearsal with my career intact.
Normally, heading back to civilian life with a large international exercise looming in my future would leave me with a ball of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. Thankfully, I was able to pass the next phase of planning to another member of my USFK team, fellow IMA Maj. Agneta Murnan. As the previous public affairs OIC for the exercise, she was a fantastic continuity piece and already understood the ins and outs of the exercise. She was able to establish connections, finalize plans, package everything neatly and pass it back to me for execution a few months later.
Upon returning to South Korea for the exercise in April, I was fortunate to have two days of turn-over with the major prior to the media day. She and I worked tirelessly together for those two days to wrap up outstanding coordination pieces, attend final planning meetings and ensure all of my questions were answered.
As the public affairs officer in charge for Operation Pacific reach, I led a team of 10 PA professionals from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and ROK to execute the international media day that included more than 70 journalists from 40 outlets. Our collaboration resulted in four front-page stories in Korean newspapers, more than 40 additional stories in other publications, and numerous types of social media content. The entire public affairs team delivered the message, showcasing the strength of the ROK – U.S. alliance to an audience of millions worldwide.
Being military-- whether active duty, guard or reserve--we’re all in this fight together. Helping each other out and serving one another is what makes us effective. The success of our international media day during Operation Pacific Reach wasn’t the result of luck or any one person’s efforts, it was successful because of the hard work and collaboration between Air Force Reserve IMAs and the other outstanding public affairs professionals from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and ROK. This experience has me looking forward to the next “movie-esque” scenario I get thrown into in the non-stop world of USFK public affairs.