Col. Christopher Cotts, Seventh Air Force Chief of Staff, greets Swedish Maj. Gen. Mats Engman, right, head of policy and plans department for the Swedish Armed Forces and Swedish Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission member, and Swiss Lt. Col. Christian Guillaume, Swiss delegate to the NNSC, during an observation tour during exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian Aug. 24, 2015, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.. The NNSC provides transparency to the international community by ensuring planning and operations are conducted with a “defensive and deterrent” nature. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier)
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea – Swedish and Swiss representatives of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission visited the 607th Air and Space Operations Center Aug. 24, as part of an observation tour.
The visit included a tour of the Hardened Theater Air Control Center and a meeting with Air Component Command leadership to discuss regional issues, the Seventh Air Force’s mission and observe the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise.
“The observers from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission play a vital role in ensuring all parties observe the stipulations of the armistice which governs our relationship with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” said Col. Christopher D. Cotts, Headquarters Seventh Air Force chief of staff. “By maintaining an independent stance, not aligned with any of the major actors in the region, our observers can be counted on to provide accurate, timely, and unbiased views on our armistice performance.”
The NNSC representatives, Swedish Maj. Gen. Mats Engman, and Swiss Lt. Col. Christian Guillaume, visited to observe Republic of Korea-U.S. interactions, meet with 7AF leadership, review operational briefs and monitor joint operations throughout the AOC.
Four other sending states nations joined the Republic of Korea and 7AF in conducting UFG 15, to include: Australia, Canada, Denmark and the United Kingdom, to ensure readiness to defend the Southern Korean Peninsula and strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance.
The NNSC was established in July 27, 1953 by the United Nations, when the Korean War came to an Armistice. Their contribution in observing and evaluating exercises helps to ensure that planning and operations are conducted with a “defensive and deterrent” nature.
“Seventh Air Force is prepared to accommodate visits from the NNSC at all times,” said Cotts, “including during major exercises. This is important, since it guarantees that the NNSC has the access required to verify armistice compliance. Transparency is absolutely key in assuring the international community that the United States stands by the commitments we make to all nations, friend and foe alike.”
Neutral nations, such as Sweden and Switzerland, are deemed neutral nations because their combatant forces have not been involved in the hostilities in the Koreas. The primary role of the NNSC today is to maintain relationships with both the north and the south and facilitate open channels of communication between them.
“I think the NNSC visit helps educate those unfamiliar with their presence,” said Capt. Sarah Gates, 7AF Vice Commander’s executive officer. “Through monitoring the armistice, it gives peace of mind knowing we have a checks and balance system in place.”
