Published April 6, 2023 By Senior Airman Shannon Braaten, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs KUNSAN AIR BASE, REPUBLIC OF KOREA The Wolf Pack welcomed Pacific Air Forces Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Mr. Anthony Cruz Unoz at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 5-6, 2023. In the spring and summer of 1966, before the arrival of Col. Robin Olds, the 555th and the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadrons joined the 8th TFW. In the spring of 1967, North Vietnam put a bounty of $25,000 on Col. Olds' head, payable to any pilot who could shoot down and hopefully cause the high-visibility capture of the North's "most-wanted" enemy. Kunsan Air Base, located in the Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the Wolf Pack. Special thanks to Kunsan AFB Public Affairs for making this visit possible. Kunsan AFB and its 8th FW is home to more than 2,800 active-duty personnel, mostly U.S. Air Force (2750) but also U.S. Army (185), U.S. DoD civilians (28), Korean nationals (450) and family members (50-100). Four F-16s take to the South Korean skies with afterburners. It was in 1972 when the 35th moved to Kunsan Air Base to fly the F-4 Phantom. The pilots surged out of the briefing toward their waiting F-4s and ground crews with new fervor and a brand new identity. Later the same week, Wolf Pack F-4s again engaged the enemy, knocking down another two MiGs. WebKunsan Air Base is home to the 8th Fighter Wing which is known as the Wolf Pack, a nickname given during the command of Colonel Robin Olds back in 1966. WebThe nickname of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing -- the Wolfpack -- fit Robin Olds aggressive style. This was the first of over 200 victories ever since. From this time forward, the 8th Fighter Wing became known as the Wolf Pack. . The 8th Fighter Wing wears its heritage proudly: the famed Wolf Pack of Robin Olds. The first assigned aircraft wing at Kunsan was the 3rd Bombardment Wing, on August 22, 1951. "The Bad Boy Commander of Operation Bolo" by Don Hollway, https://www.historynet.com/bad-boy-commander-operation-bolo/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_vietnammag&fbclid=IwAR17gJAgwiaEG6Phyc-gDIMcVFSYYapttd8Z3f7OF8JIrf64prMQ_SKMusA, Today in Aviation History: Operation Bolo, https://warbirdsnews.com/warbird-articles/today-in-aviation-history-operation-bolo.html, Aces & Aerial Victories, US Air Force in Southeast Asia 1965-1973:https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001329821/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-010.pdf, The Robin Olds Factor; Air Force magazine June 1, 2008.https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0608olds/. Conversion to the F-4 Phantom II started in 1967 and the squadron was moved from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB in 1971. Its not like any other base that Ive visited, less relaxed maybe. Forces in May of 2017. The Kunsan physical therapy office treats musculoskeletal conditions to include sports injuries, chronic issues and postoperative rehabilitation. The legend of The Wolf Pack had begun. The five-day drill, named Vigilant Ace, is meant to improve the allies wartime capabilities and preparedness, South Koreas defense ministry said. It is one of two Hundreds of aircraft including two dozen stealth jets began training as the United States and South Korea launched a massive combined air force exercise. December of 2017 saw their biggest cooperated air exercise so far. Weve developed our ability to train and fight together through RED FLAGs and our Peninsula-wide exercises MAX THUNDER and VIGILANT ACE. Its mission includes air interdiction, close air support, All rights reserved. The lab at the 8th MDG is uniquely trained in lifesaving emergency blood procedures and detection of bioterrorism agents in support of wartime operations. It was here that the squadron converted from the P-51 to the F-80. This was of great help to the eager and willing to learn Airmen of the 8th FW. The squadron received P-38 Lightning aircraft in January of 1943, which it operated throughout the rest of the war. Block 40 F-16s were received in 2000, these aircraft carried Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pods, enabling the Wolf Pack to take the fight into the night. This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. (August 2015) The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force. The 8th Fighter Wing consists of four groups, each carrying the responsibility for the wings operations, maintenance, support & medical functions. Public health officers manage programs that focus on the following: food safety and public facility sanitation, disease surveillance and prevention, force health management and medical readiness, vector surveillance and entomology, and occupational and environmental health. For training purpose with the 80th FW, multiple of their F-16s were present at Kunsan Air Base during my visit here. However, at the start of the Korean Conflict in July 1950, North Korean forces occupied Kunsan Air Base. Regardless of the location of the 8th FW F-16 assets, Airmen at the 8th OSS weather flight continue to support the Wolf Packs flying mission. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. (Maj.) Tanviben Patel, 8th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron public health flight commander, inspects food at the dining facility on Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 24, 2023. ) . (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. Kunsan Air Base, located in the Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the Wolf Pack. G. Shoemaker once mentioned: , Post war, the squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. Kunsan AB | Base Overview & Info Less than a year later, on 1 July 1958, the Air Force redesignated the wing as the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. During its tenure at Itazuke, the wing flew several different aircraft, including the North American F-86 Sabre, North American F-100 Super Sabre, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, and Republic F-105 Thunderchief . , . His love for military aviation began in 1980. Theres not much going on, which is fairly unusual for an Air Force Base at 8 a.m. Only a few vehicles arrive and depart, some of them being thoroughly checked. (Capt.) Our goal is the same: peace on the peninsula. The cumulative losses forced the North Vietnamese Air Force to ground their remaining aircraft, reassess tactics and retrain crews for four full months. Air Force Reserve Takes 75th Anniversary Celebration to Talladega This is a special day not only for the 70,000-plus Citizen After three days for a brief R&R in Hawaii, Col. Olds arrived home at Andrews AFB in Maryland, 40 pounds thinner and sporting his famous mustache. It scored the final American aerial victories of the war on the 14th of August, 1945. The squadron started flying F-100s after the Korean War had ended. This is done to provide a deterrent against threats for both security and stability in the region. The squadron performs a wide variety of activities such as air-and-space control, counter air, strategic attack, interdiction and close-air support missions. As mentioned, its first combat base was in New Guinea, after which it moved through Borneo and the Celebes Islands. To quote the 176th EFS Commander: The TSP is part of the Air Forces long-term initiatives to provide extra security in places where we need it.. By the end of the war, the 8th TFW led the USAF wings in SEA with a total of 38.5 MiGs destroyed. 8 . After receiving the first phase of one of the largest modernization efforts in U.S. Air Force F-16 program history, an upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcon rejoined the 8th Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Accessibility team build foundation Their major goal: Making the 8th FW & 7th AF commanders feel that they were a viable asset and of great support to the active duty squadrons. It was originally an aircraft maintenance squadron, as the unit served in France from 1917 to 1919. The 8th Operation Group trains and equips the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons (nicknames: Pantons and Juvats) in order to conduct air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. Chris Drager (left), 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron physical therapist, guides a patient lifting weights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. 8th Tactical Fighter Wing - National Museum of the United States Deployment to Kunsan of over 180 airmen from the 115th FW, 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was realized in early August of 2017. Its mission is to deliver lethal airpower when and where directed, including interdiction, close air support, counter air, air superiority and suppression of enemy air defenses. This includes intermediate level aircraft maintenance, component repair and maintenance training. In mid-January 1967, increasingly frustrated by missions planned and ordered by the White House and Pentagon brass back in Washington, Robin decided to grow a mustache deliberately out of limits, knowing it would inflame his bosses and inspire his crews. In his first pilot briefing, Olds ordered them sternly to teach him well because he'd be leading them over North Vietnam within two weeks. This goes to show the tension and threat, something that I certainly felt during my time at Kunsan. Such language is typical in North Korean propaganda because the country claims US-South Korean drills are preparation for invasion. This included the P-40 and P-38 Lightning, accounting for 124 kills during missions. When the 80, In the period leading up to the Vietnam Conflict, the 80th was one of the first units to send pilots and planes to Thailand where they would fly missions against North Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), 1st Lt. Makayla Arcara, 8th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron officer in charge of bioenvironmental engineering officer in charge, takes an air sample at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. The 80th was stationed at various bases during the battle for Korea, where it remained in continuous combat during the entire conflict. WebBy the end of the war, the 8th TFW led the USAF wings in SEA with a total of 38.5 MiGs destroyed. Conversion to the F-4 Phantom II started in 1967 and the squadron was moved from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB in 1971. The 8th Mission Support Group is tasked with supporting the base with civil engineering, communications, base defense, services, logistic readiness and overall mission support. This was done from Itazuke Air Base, Japan. Conversion was completed in 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. December also began the planning for Operation BOLO, a tactic to disguise flights of F-4s as F-105s, which were flying bombing missions so routine (as ordered by Washington) that North Vietnamese MiGs and SAM missles easily shot them out of the sky. The Badgers took part in two large-scale exercises during their three months in Korea, working together with the active 80th & 35th FS. Something which is extremely important in hostile times like these. Peter has written books about NAS Fallon, Red Flag and the Japanese Airforce. The 35th Fighter Squadrons mission is to provide combat-ready F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to conduct air operations throughout the Pacific. OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- After receiving the first phase of one of the largest modernization efforts in U.S. Air Force F-16 program history, an upgraded Post war, the squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan. It was here that the squadron converted from the P-51 to the F-80. On September 30, 1966, Col. Robin Olds took official charge of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon RTAFB, near Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. 8th F-16 F-35B, F-22 . (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), An official website of the United States government, SLIDESHOW | 0 images | BSC: Looking after the Wolf Pack, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. It was in September 1974 that the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to Kunsan Air Base. In the period leading up to the Vietnam Conflict, the 80th was one of the first units to send pilots and planes to Thailand where they would fly missions against North Vietnam. Washington quickly ordered him not to lead any more missions over North Vietnam and Robin, in turn, did not want to be sent home to endure the hoopla of getting his fifth MiG and becoming an "Ace". Just win it!" One photograph in particular showed his youngest daughter, Susan, playfully mimicking her father's mustache with a strand of long hair above her upper lip. Aforementioned 3rd Bombardment Wing returned to Japan at the end of the Korean Conflict. The base is established on the west coast of They oversaw the bases reconstruction. Air Force maintainers from the 8th Fighter Wing maneuver an F-16 Fighting Falcon into a hardened aircraft shelter during the Fiscal Year 2023 More 8FWPA Images New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, Special Purpose Military Aircraft Gallery, Kunsan Air Base: The Den of the Wolf Pack, About the presence of U.S. forces at Kunsan, the 8th FW Commander Col. David. The 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron joined later in June 1967. Re-designated the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, it entered combat as the Korean War began. Wolf Pack tail no. We enjoy friendships at a personal level while providing for the collective defense of the peninsula and the region. The Squadrons first active combat mission was flown from Port Moresby, New Guinea, on July of the same year. This enables day or night, all weather capabilities. the capability of the ROKAF/USAF has improved exponentially. 8th Tactical Fighter Wing - ROBIN OLDS https://www.airforcemag.com/article/1198sweep/), NMUSAF PR Video: Robin speaking of his love for his ground crews. Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW > 15th Wing > Article Display (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Maj. Brock McNabb (left), 8th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (OMRS) mental health flight commander, laughs with Tech. Robin Olds, leading the first of three flights of F-4s, scored the first MiG of his tour. LeAnne Mullinax (right), 8th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron mental health element chief, engages with maintainers from the 80th Fighter Generation Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 26, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. The aircrews' initial scepticism quickly turned to respect for the "old guy's" leadership style and obvious proficiency in the F-4. It was part of the Indo-Asia-Pacific Theater Security Package (TSP) which, on a routine basis, deploys fighter aircraft to the U.S. Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces. Wolf Pack Together they formed a legendary team known as "Blackman and Robin". Wolf Pack welcomes Wolf 61. A variety of Air Base Groups and Squadrons operated and maintained the base in the decades after the Korean Conflict. During the early morning BOLO briefing on January 2nd, 1967, Robin Olds, inspired by his WWII group commander, Col. Hub Zemke and his notorious 56th FG Wolf Pack, urged his 8th Wing pilots with a rallying cry, "Go get 'em Wolf Pack!".
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