2009 KOREAN REVISIT PROGRAM
20 OCTOBER 2009 TO 25 OCTOBER 2009

The Military Attaché in Korea has received an invitation from the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), General Lee Kae Hoon, for ten RAAF Veterans of the Korean War to take part in celebrations to mark 60th Anniversary of the formation of the ROKAF. In addition, a memorial event to honour Air Force Veterans from around the world who fought and sacrificed their lives during the war will also be held.
 
The memorial arrangement will be held over six days from 20th Oct as part of the annual re-visit program hosted by the Korean Veterans Association (KVA). During the period the ROKAF will hold a dinner for overseas veterans. In addition, Veterans will also be invited to the ROKAF's 60th anniversary ceremony.

Eligibility – RAAF Korean War veterans who served between 25th June 1950 and 25th October 1954. If selected each veteran is allowed to bring a family member, either a wife/husband, a son/daughter, or a grand son/daughter.

Quota – the RAAF quota is ten (10) persons which includes family members. Unless the quota cannot be filled a person who has already been on a revisit program will not be considered for selection.   

Program - the focus will be on the 60th ROK Air Force Day and Seoul Air Show. The standard itinerary of a Revisit Program is as follows (although some variation is possible):

● Day #1: Arrival and hotel check-in
● Day #2: Pay tribute to the Korean National Cemetery, Visit the Korean War Memorial,    Banquet hosted by the Chairman of the KVA.
● Day #3: Visit Panmunjom (Joint Security Area)
● Day #4: Visit respective National Monument
● Day #5: Visit the Inchon Landing Memorial, Tour of Korean Folk Village
● Day #6: Departure or extension tour on veterans' own expenses

Benefits – the KVA will provided:

● Free hotel accommodations and meals for 5 nights and 6 days. Accommodation is on the “two    (2) persons per room” basis.
● Tour of Seoul and its vicinity
● Banquet hosted by the Chairman of the KVA
● Presentation of the “Ambassador for Peace” medal and its certificate

Note:  The Ambassador for Peace medal is a commemorative medal and is not a government award. Accordingly, it cannot be worn with Australian honours system campaign awards. 

Air Fares To and From Australia: Each participant is responsible to meet the cost of airfares to and from Australia. In addition, each person must be in possession of a valid passport with at least six months validity. A Korean visa is not required.   

Travel Insurance. KVA is not responsible for any losses or damages to personal items, nor medical expenses, nor injuries or losses of lives due to any accidents of whatever nature during the revisit program in Korea. Accordingly, each Veteran/family member is required to arrange individual travel insurance.

Administration

Admiral Ian Crawford. Admiral Ian Crawford is acting as the Australian “conduit to KVA.

77 Squadron Association. The 77 Squadron Association has volunteered to:

• act as the Point of Contact (POC) to Admiral Crawford,
• pass on information on the revisit arrangement to the Korean Veteran members of the association and to the RAAF Association.

State Divisions of the RAAF Association. The State Branches of the RAAF Association have agreed to publicize the revisit program to the RAAFA membership in their State and to act as a POC to pass the names of people who wish to put their name up for selection to the 77 Squadron Association. 

Selection

Selection will be a simple first 10 names out of the hat which includes the names of any accompanying family member. NB: the maximum of ten people has been stressed by Lieutenant Commander Chris Smith the Assistant Defence Attaché in Seoul. 

As the names of the people selected to take part in the revisit program are required by KVA, Seoul, by 7 September 2009 the selection will be conducted on 1 September 2009. Accordingly, the cut off date for receipt of completed application forms will be 31 August 2009. The preferred mode of communication is by e-mail to jaetread@bigpond.net.au alternatively by snail mail to: 77 Squadron Association, PO BOX 467, Mayfield. NSW. 2304.  

Application Forms. An application form annotated “Visitor’s Card” is attached.

Travel To and From Korea

Admiral Crawford has advised that travel arrangements including travel insurance can be made with:

Alex Lee
Korea Travel Agency
Tel – 02 97876633
Fax- 02 97876622

The normal airfare during October is around $1500 (incl taxes). However it is on sale for $1250 (incl taxes) until 30 June 2009 ex Sydney on Asiana, ex Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne on Korean Air. NB: Admiral Crawford has indicated that he will ask about an extension of time on the fare offer.   

Admiral Crawford has also indicated that he thinks that the contingent will depart on the morning of 20 October to arrive at Incheon in the evening of the same day. That departure from Korea will be in the afternoon of the last programmed day which is likely to be the 25th October to arrive in Australia on the morning of the 26th October.