KOREA
1st Lt Quynh Tran, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron chief of intelligence, poses in an "ao dai" next to a U-2S reconnaissance aircraft at Osan Air Base, April 22, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia)

1st Lt Quynh Tran, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron chief of intelligence, poses in an "ao dai" next to a U-2S reconnaissance aircraft at Osan Air Base, April 22, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia) ()

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, Osan is highlighting members of the AAPI community. This week we highlight 1st Lt Quynh Tran, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron. Tran is the chief of intelligence operations for the 5th RS and also volunteers to be a mission operations commander for the 694th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group. Tran represented her Vietnamese heritage by donning the national dress for Vietnam, the "ao dai" while posing in front of a U2S reconnaissance aircraft. The direct translation for ao dai is "long shirt" because the gown resembles a very long blouse, traditionally ao dais are made out of only silk, but newer iterations of the outfit use silk/nylon hybrids to increase breathability and comfort.

The best stories from the Pacific, in your inbox

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more.

Sign Up Now