At first glance, everything about the Osan 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, plenty of American restaurants, tons of local shopping -- even a golf course make the base one of the better assignments in Korea. But for the daughter of a Newnan woman, it's not the obvious that makes this assignment also one of the most tense in the world.

Army Spec. Jacelyn L. Stephens, daughter of Charola Langford of Newnan, is often awakened to early-morning siren blasts and ominous messages over the loud speaker and forced to don gas mask and weapon in preparation for an enemy that sits in wait not more than 50 miles away. Stephens is a supply specialist with the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 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 make sure that everyone has the appropriate supplies to complete our mission," said Stephens who graduated in 2004 from East Coweta High School.

As the most forward deployed wing in the world, the soldiers and airmen of the 51st Fighter Wing are capable of providing combat ready forces in a moment's notice. Recent events in North Korea have reinforced the need for the soldiers and airmen to always be alert and ready for action.

"The situation in North Korea has not changed our mission here," 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. "Korea is a small and crowded country and the people are very friendly and polite," said Stephens. "I am going to miss shopping for purses here."

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. "It does get lonely here, plus I miss my grandmother's cooking," Stephens said.

Although most soldiers and airmen consider this to be the "garden spot" assignment in Korea, Stephens and her fellow soldiers and airmen, know that danger is only minutes away.

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