Remarks: Joe Biden Visits the Air Operations Center at Osan Air Base in South Korea - May 22, 2022

"First of all, I want to say thank you. And I wish you'd work on your biceps a little bit. [Laughter] And you too, pal." 1

"[No video available] It's about as big as my thighs. [Laughter] And I was a pretty good athlete. And I -- I'm worried about you, Captain. I don't know. I -- first of all, it's great to be here with the President. We had a -- we've had great meetings thus far. We had a great state dinner last night as well. And -- and I want to say what I'm sure the President thinks as well: " 2

"Thank you. Thank you to all of you -- every one of you. You are -- you are the frontline of everything we're concerned about. You represent the commitment of our two countries made to each other and the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance." 3

"And our alliance -- our alliance was formed through shared sacrifice of the Korean War. And now, seven decades later, thanks to you, the Republic of Korea is a strong, thriving, and innovating democracy. And our alliance grows stronger every single day because of you all." 4

"And today, Korean and American forces stand sentinel still to -- the integration and coordination between our forces is essential as it was yesterday and 10 years ago and 20 years ago and 40 years ago, et cetera." 5

"The fact is that deterring threats and underwriting stability is as vital today for not only the Peninsula but for the world -- for the world. That's what the President and I spent the last couple of days talking about. It's not just the Korean Peninsula, it's the world. And so --" 6

"Should I stop and have that translated? [Laughter]" 7

"[A translation is provided]" 8

"The connections that you form serving together -- not just as fellow service members, but as friends -- helps knit our two nations together." 9

"[No video available] To all the American troops that are here and your families: Thank you for what you do to defend our country and our ally, and for representing our country so very well." 10

"And to the Korean forces: Thank you as well for your service, for having our backs just as we have yours. I won't attempt the Korean, but we -- we -- we're -- we go together, and we go together well. I've been impressed. Thank you so very much. And, by the way, we go together. [Applause]" 11