미공군, 군산공군기지에서 올해 4명의 자살자 발생

[위종민]

지난 8월 28일 제이콥 베네가스 Tech. Sgt. 가 군산공군기지의 기숙사에서 사망한 채 발견됐는데, 그는 군산공군기지 내 33일 만에  발견된 세 번째 사망자이자 3월 이후 4번째 사망자라고 합니다. 

미공군에서 자살은 젊은 군인들의 주요 사망원인으로 2020년에는 117명이 자살로 사망했다고 합니다. 

서울에서 120마일 가량 떨어졌고, 가장 가까운 관광지인 전주에서 40마일 가량 떨어진 군산공군기지엔 2,800명 가량의 군인 및 민간인이 주둔중인데, 대부분 동반자 없이 1년 가량 근무하고 있으며 기숙사 생활을 하고 대중교통이 부족하다고 합니다. 레딧에 올라온 글에는 군산공군기지를 'depressing'하다고 표현했네요. 

노스다코타주 마이노트 공군기지도 비슷한 문제를 겪고 있고, 작년 10월에는 3명이 사망했다고 하네요. 

군산공군기지가 군산시 외곽에 있긴 하지만 마이노트 기지와 비교를? 싶기는 한데 외국인 입장에선 별반 차이가 없을 지도..

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/4th-death-this-year-sparks-worry-at-kunsan

4th Death This Year Sparks Worry at Kunsan

A U.S. Air Force Airman walks to his dorm at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, on Feb. 26, 2019. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards.

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4th Death This Year Sparks Worry at Kunsan

Sept. 13, 2024 | By Unshin Lee Harpley

When Tech. Sgt. Jacob Venegas was found dead in a dorm at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 28, it marked the third death there in just 33 days, and the fourth since March, sparking concern about the conditions and support systems in place at the base, home of the 8th Fighter Wing.

The Air Force has not identified the cause of death in any of the cases, said 8th Fighter Wing spokesperson Capt. Alvin Nelson, who explained that the deaths remain under investigation. “We cannot speak to causes.”

None of the fatalities were “related to operations or mission requirements,” Nelson said. Law enforcement officials stated earlier that foul play is not suspected in the deaths of Jones-Smalls, Vang, and Kruse, based on “forensic experts on the scene.”

Suicides remains a leading cause of death among young military members. A detailed analysis of suicide deaths in 2020 released earlier this year found that of the 117 Air Force and Space Force members who died by suicide that year, 90.8 percent were enlisted and 69.2 percent were on Active Duty. The average age was 30.6. Confirmed suicides dropped to 91 in 2023, according to the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

Individuals posting on the unofficial “Air Force amn/nco/snco” Facebook page who said they had been based at Kunsan voiced concern about the base’s isolated location. Home to the 8th Fighter Wing and some 2,800 military and civilian personnel, the typical assignment there is a one-year unaccompanied tour.

Most Airmen at Kunsan live in dorms and public transportation is scarce. The base is about 120 miles south of Seoul, in a rural area near the Yellow Sea. The nearest tourist destination is Jeonju, 40 miles away. Without a personal vehicle, travel is difficult. One study suggested that isolation can be especially dangerous for younger service members, who are at higher risk of suicide.

Airmen posting anonymously on Reddit called the base “depressing” and cited the lack of mental health support and connection opportunities at Kunsan.

“It has been a difficult summer for the Wolf Pack with multiple losses over the past few weeks, and we are reinforcing existing support entities to care for our Airmen,” said Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th Fighter Wing commander, in a statement.

Nelson said leadership is working to “increase the number of daily opportunities for connection between Airmen at all levels to strengthen our community,” but offered no details on how they are doing that.

Minot Air Force Base, N.D., suffered a similar spike in deaths last year, with three last October that remain under investigation. Minot officials called in additional chaplains, counselors, and mental health professionals, but also cited the base’s remoteness, its harsh winter weather, and shortages of advanced medical care and childcare as persistent issues of concern.

군산공군기지의 위치

노스다코타주 마이노트 공군기지의 위치

[백선호]

Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area에 들어가 있는 오산과 평택보다는 확실히 심심하고 할 것이 없긴 하겠네요...

[위종민]

자차로 한시간 반 정도면 대전 유성구로 점프뛸 수 있는데 1년 단위 근무라서 중고차 마련하고 이것저것 하기가 애매한가 봅니다.

[백선호]

대전 유성도 10년 전에 1년간 대전 사무소에서 일할 때 본 기억으로는 그냥 퇴락한 80년대 스타일 유흥가였고 미군들 입맛에 맞는 곳은 역시 홍대 앞이 유일할 것 같습니다.

[위종민]

하긴 세계의 20대 젊은이들이 시간 보낼 만한 곳은 서울 말고는 없네요 ㅎㅎㅎ