(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. It is rather strange to be here, maybe its just me but you can feel the tension. It was in 1972 when the 35th moved to Kunsan Air Base to fly the F-4 Phantom. Redesignated the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing and flying USAF's newest fighter aircraft, the F-4C Phantom, the wing joined other USAF, Navy and Marine bases in the SEA theater flying combat missions to North Vietnam. 25 1951 We go together! WebThe Official Website of the 908th Airlift Wing. 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. The first operational squadrons in place at Ubon in the early months of 1966 were the 433rd and the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. Its not like any other base that Ive visited, less relaxed maybe. The 8th Mission Support Group is tasked with supporting the base with civil engineering, communications, base defense, services, logistic readiness and overall mission support. The aircrews' initial scepticism quickly turned to respect for the "old guy's" leadership style and obvious proficiency in the F-4. We can produce forecasts all day, but if nobody uses them, that's kind of pointless, Verleur finished. The Squadron flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon out of Kunsan Air Base and is assigned to the Wolf Pack (8th Fighter Wing). This includes intermediate level aircraft maintenance, component repair and maintenance training. This ensures the bases protection against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. The 80th was stationed at various bases during the battle for Korea, where it remained in continuous combat during the entire conflict. Just win it!" Met by a large group of Pentagon officials, journalists, and photographers, he embraced his wife and daughters before posing for photos. The first assigned aircraft wing at Kunsan was the 3rd Bombardment Wing, on August 22, 1951. 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 . By Senior Airman Shannon Braaten, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea -- Members of the Wolf Pack bid farewell to Col. John Wolf 2 Caldwell, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander after completing his fini-flight at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 25, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. The pilots surged out of the briefing toward their waiting F-4s and ground crews with new fervor and a brand new identity. the capability of the ROKAF/USAF has improved exponentially. 8 . The 80th continues to support the United States in Korea with the same pride and excellence instilled in the squadron from the Headhunters of the past. The TSP demonstrated the U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region but also ensures that the Wolf Pack remains ready to Fight Tonight. If you continue to browse we will assume your permission to use cookies. The 8th Maintenance Group is tasked with the daily flying and maintenance operations. Deployment to Kunsan of over 180 airmen from the 115th FW, 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was realized in early August of 2017. Wolf Pack welcomes Wolf 61. It was mainly tasked with escorting light to medium bombers and ground support attacks. 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. When the president asked how he proposed he should do that, Robin replied, "It's simple! The 80th Fighter Squadron was activated during WWII, in 1942, as the 80th Pursuit Squadron at Mitchell Field, NY. Examples of the services provided by the physical therapy clinic include posture and gait analysis, strengthening, stretching, joint manipulation, pre- and post-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation, and health and fitness information. The legend of the maverick Robin Olds had been fully born. After photographing many military exercises in Europe over the years, Peter decided to spend the last 15 years visiting Asia and the USA. Thats the 8th Fighter Wings motto, nicknamed the Wolf Pack. KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea Although aircraft assigned to the 80th and 35th Fighter have left Kunsan for the duration Contents of this website may not be used without prior written permission. However, at the start of the Korean Conflict in July 1950, North Korean forces occupied Kunsan Air Base. The 35. 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. The 35th changed base multiple times throughout Korea, including Pyongyang, flying the F-80 Shooting Star (and later the F-86 Sabre). The 8th Fighter Wing renders a salute during the 8th FW change of command at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 1, 2021. It was originally an aircraft maintenance squadron, as the unit served in France from 1917 to 1919. Peter has written books about NAS Fallon, Red Flag and the Japanese Airforce. This enables day or night, all weather capabilities. Robin arrived on September 23, 1966 to find squadrons demoralized by mounting losses of pilots and aircraft due to enemy MiG forces, surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries, heavy concentrations of anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) units and multiple early warning radar systems. Wolf Pack tail no. The deployment became a great teaching opportunity, seeing that the guard had a lot of knowledge due to most of the crew having up to 20 years of experience. The airmen, nicknamed the Badgers, have frequently been active in the region since 2004. The 80th Fighter Squadrons vision is to lead the combat air forces as the most lethal fighter squadron of motivated, expertly trained warriors focused on the defense of the Republic of Korea, in order to maintain regional stability in the Pacific. (Capt.) Members of the Air Force bioenvironmental engineering career field work to ensure healthy and safe working conditions for Airmen through the management and monitoring of various programs such as industrial hygiene, radiological health and environmental protection. It is part of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. This was done with the aforementioned F-80 Shooting Star. 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. 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. To quote the 176th EFS Commander: In order to provide you with the best possible experience on our website, we use cookies. Other associate units that operate from the Air Base, amongst others, are the American Red Cross, Army Contracting Command Korea, American Forces Network-Korea, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 613 and the U.S. Army 25th Transportation Battalion. Feel free to contact us using the form below: Late October, its around 70F and slightly foggy. (For detailed description of Operation Bolo, see: MiG Sweep by Walter Boyne, November 1, 1998, Aces & Aerial Victories, US Air Force in Southeast Asia 1965-. This is done to provide a deterrent against threats for both security and stability in the region. His love for military aviation began in 1980. WebThe 8th Fighter Wing is responsible for conducting air-to-ground and air-to-air missions in the 45 F-16s assigned to the wing. The legend of The Wolf Pack had begun. Pictured here are revetments and F-4s of the 8th TFW at Ubon, In December, Robin brought over his former Director of Operations from the 81st FW at RAF Bentwaters, Col. Daniel "Chappie" James, to be his DO, and later, vice-wing commander at Ubon. Hammer is a BEE officer by trade and now leads one of the two squadrons containing biomedical service corps personnel at the 8th Fighter Wing. The meeting with President Lyndon Johnson was tense, as the combat weary colonel said, "Sir, with all due respect to you as my Commander-in-Chief, get us the hell out of this god-damned war!" F-16 F-35B, F-22 . Generations of U.S. Air Force members have aspired to become members of the Wolf Pack (8th Fighter Wing), to be stationed at Kunsan and for the opportunity to get after the mission with our ROK brothers and sisters. Peter van den Berg is from Coevorden, Netherlands. All 8th TFW squadrons flew F-4Cs until F-4Ds replaced the older aircraft in 1967. Four F-16s take to the South Korean skies with afterburners. She became the first to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1981, together with its sister squadron; the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Kunsan Air Base, located in the Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the Wolf Pack. Forces in May of 2017. This was the first of over 200 victories ever since. We enjoy friendships at a personal level while providing for the collective defense of the peninsula and the region. Special thanks to Kunsan AFB Public Affairs for making this visit possible. Flying the P-39, it scored its first victory within a month when it engaged and destroyed six enemy aircraft. 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. G. Shoemaker once mentioned: , Post war, the squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan. As the family left together in an Air Force staff car, Robin was informed he had to report immediately to his boss in the Pentagon, followed by a visit to the White House. Established in Japan shortly after WWII, the 8th Fighter Wing went through varying operations as fighter-interceptor and fighter-bomber wings, first providing air defense for the islands and then flying combat missions during the Korean War. Copyright 2012-2023 Aviation Photography Digest. It was during this period that a new 5,000ft runway was built. 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. 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. The 8th Fighter Wing serves as the bases host unit and falls under the Seventh Air Force at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Kadena Air Base, Japan, saw the deployment of U.S. The 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron joined later in June 1967. WebThe 8th Fighter Wing "Wolf Pack", comprised of the 35th Fighter Squadron "Pantons" and the 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats", performs both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions Vincent Antwi, 8th HCOS pharmacy technician, in taking inventory at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. The 80th flew its final combat mission of WWII in August of 1945, during which the squadron commander was shot down. All rights reserved Aviation Photography Digest, 2023. The F-100s were eventually replaced by F-105 Thunderchiefs in 1963 and the squadron moved to Yokota Air Base, Japan. ( ! The base is established on the west coast of the country, close to Gunsan City. Chris Drager (left), 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron physical therapist, guides a patient lifting weights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. 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. 8 (Robin Olds) . WebBy the end of the war, the 8th TFW led the USAF wings in SEA with a total of 38.5 MiGs destroyed. This ranged from striking the enemys front line to missions deep behind the lines to hit supply routes, bridges, build-ups and heavy troop concentrations. 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. It was April 1951 that the 27th Air Base Group became the first Air Force unit assigned to the base. It was in September 1974 that the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to 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. They oversaw the bases reconstruction. 8 (Wolf) . The following day, a cartoon appeared in newspapers around the country, showing LBJ holding his fainting Official Vietnam Line, admonished by a scolding, heavily-medaled and mustachioed old fighter pilot. This included the P-40 and P-38 Lightning, accounting for 124 kills during missions. While touring SEA bases with his USO troupe, comedian Bob Hope characterized the 8th TFW as "the largest distributor of MiG parts in all of Southeast Asia." Sudden media attention became focused on the 8th TFW and Robin Olds following Bolo. 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. We hone our craft and ensure our readiness to deter attack. Sgt. Air Force Chief of Staff, General John P. McConnell, ordered him to shave off his mustache before starting his new job as Commandant at the Air Force Academy in order to be a proper influence on cadets. Here at Kunsan Air Base, we train with the 38th Fighter Group of the ROKAF. Sofia Shank, 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron lab and ambulance services flight commander, handles blood samples at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. Conversion to the F-4 Phantom II started in 1967 and the squadron was moved from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB in 1971. The first airbase where he photographed was Soesterberg, Netherlands where the 32 TFS was stationed with the F-15. Aforementioned 3rd Bombardment Wing returned to Japan at the end of the Korean Conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. (Henry Jeffress) 70 . 24 of its pilots (Head Hunters) became aces, of which Captain Richard L. Bong became the American ace-of-aces. WebThe United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing (8 FW) is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force. The squadron performs a wide variety of activities such as air-and-space control, counter air, strategic attack, interdiction and close-air support missions. Entering combat in 1942 in the Pacific during WWII, another wide variety of aircraft were flown. Such language is typical in North Korean propaganda because the country claims US-South Korean drills are preparation for invasion. Beyond the initial distribution of medication, the pharmacys mission is comprised of several programs such as walk-in treatment for acute issues expedited by a pharmacist after a brief visit, smoking cessation and assisting Airmen with translating and filling prescriptions from off-base providers. 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 This battalion is equipped with Patriot Advanced Capability, or PAC-3, missiles. The need for strong air arm was recognized by American defense officials and the squadron was reconstituted in 1932, re-designated the 35th Pursuit Squadron. Lt. Col. Elisa Bones Hammer, 8th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, checks in on a group of Airmen from the bio-environmental engineering (BEE) flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. The mental health clinic is made up of both officers and enlisted personnel, who can teach and treat patients under their commissioned counterparts licenses. Weve developed our ability to train and fight together through RED FLAGs and our Peninsula-wide exercises MAX THUNDER and VIGILANT ACE. It is equipped with the latest, state-of-the-art ordnance. Hundreds of aircraft including two dozen stealth jets began training as the United States and South Korea launched a massive combined air force exercise. Apart from the 2,750 Air Force members stationed at Kunsan Air Base, it also employs 158 Army soldiers, 28 U.S. civilians and more than 420 local national appropriated and non-appropriated employees. The mental health clinic at Kunsan has implemented a frontline care strategy to be more accessible to base personnel by meeting them where they work. The Robin Olds Factor; Air Force magazine June 1, 2008. https://www.airforcemag.com/article/1198sweep/, https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001329821/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-010.pdf, https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0608olds/. 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 Rotational Deployment in Korea of the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing was completed on November 8, 2017. Robin would go on to shoot down a total of four MiGs during 1967, and the Wolf Pack downed a total of 24 enemy aircraft under his command between January 2, 1967 and September 23rd that year. The squadron accounted for 225 enemy aircraft destroyed during the course of the war, receiving 10 battle honors and three Distinguished Unit Citations. About the presence of U.S. forces at Kunsan, the 8th FW Commander Col. David. All rights reserved. 8th OSS forecasting the fight. (Eagle). Due to close cooperation of both ROKAF and USAF forces, their capabilities have improved exponentially. The five-day drill, named Vigilant Ace, is meant to improve the allies wartime capabilities and preparedness, South Koreas defense ministry said. 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. The 8th TFW pilots (mostly in their early to mid-twenties) looked with distrust at this "old" guy who hadn't flown combat since WWII. Robin Olds, leading the first of three flights of F-4s, scored the first MiG of his tour. Following the wars end, they moved to Fukuoka Air Base in Japan to fly the P-51 Mustang. As part of a reorganization program, the 80, Re-designated the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, it entered combat as the Korean War began. I am standing in front of Kunsan Air Base, waiting for the Public Affairs Officer. 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!". When the 80th was attached to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the unit became the first to fly jet aircraft in combat.
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