8th The first operational squadrons in place at Ubon in the early months of 1966 were the 433rd and the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. The 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron joined later in June 1967. Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW > Tinker Air Force Base > (Operation BOLO) Wolf Pack( ) . ( ! F-16 F-35B, F-22 . The F-100s were eventually replaced by F-105 Thunderchiefs in 1963 and the squadron moved to Yokota Air Base, Japan. In November, 1966, the 8th TFW hosted a tactics conference designed to bring combat pilots throughout SEA together to exchange information and foster teamwork. 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 I am standing in front of Kunsan Air Base, waiting for the Public Affairs Officer. The Kunsan physical therapy office treats musculoskeletal conditions to include sports injuries, chronic issues and postoperative rehabilitation. The 35. The Badgers took part in two large-scale exercises during their three months in Korea, working together with the active 80th & 35th FS. 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." Built in 1938 by the Japanese as a fighter-interceptor base, Kunsan AB became the home of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group at the end of WWII. 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. They oversaw the bases reconstruction. This iconic mustache became the visible symbol of the fighting spirit of the Wolf Pack and its renegade leader. The pilots surged out of the briefing toward their waiting F-4s and ground crews with new fervor and a brand new identity. As the squadron was re-designated the 35th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) and moved to Mitchell Field, N.Y., they started flying the P-40 Warhawk. They have also been stationed in The Netherlands, East Indies and the Philippines. WebU.S. Memorabilia at Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. Olds had flown 152 missions, 105 of them over North Vietnam. It was in 1981 that the 80th became the first overseas squadron to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It was during this period that a new 5,000ft runway was built. Defend the base, accept follow-on forces, take the flight north. This goes to show the tension and threat, something that I certainly felt during my time at Kunsan. 25 1951 We go together! The 8th Fighter Wing wears its heritage proudly: the famed Wolf Pack of Robin Olds. 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. It is part of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. During the second half of 2017, the 118th Fighter Wing was stationed here for several months. 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 legend of The 8th Medical Group is tasked with managing the medical clinic, offering flight & general medicine, dentistry and military public health services. 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. The Armys 2nd Battalion, the 1st Air Defense Artillery, consists of the Charlie and Delta missile batteries. (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. Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW > Kadena Air Base > News But if called upon to defend our neighbors and allies, may God have mercy on the Wolf Packs prey.- Col. David G. Shoemaker. 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. This ensures the bases protection against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. (Capt.) 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 1966 . the capability of the ROKAF/USAF has improved exponentially. Vincent Antwi, 8th HCOS pharmacy technician, in taking inventory at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. When U.S. forces left Korea in 1949, the base was turned over to the Republic of Korea Air Force. The 35th Fighter Squadrons mission is to provide combat-ready F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to conduct air operations throughout the Pacific. It was originally an aircraft maintenance squadron, as the unit served in France from 1917 to 1919. The 8th Fighter Wing renders a salute during the 8th FW change of command at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 1, 2021. As part of a reorganization program, the 80, Re-designated the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, it entered combat as the Korean War began. 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 From this time forward, the 8th Fighter Wing became known as the Wolf Pack. The 8th Fighter Wing consists of four groups, each carrying the responsibility for the wings operations, maintenance, support & medical functions. Wolf Pack 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 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. 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. 908th Airlift Wing > Home The 8th Fighter Wing serves as the bases host unit and falls under the Seventh Air Force at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. 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). Kadena Air Base, Japan, saw the deployment of U.S. Olds had flown 152 missions, 105 of them over North Vietnam. MiG pilots avoided engaging the powerful, heavily armed and more maneuverable F-4s. 8th Tactical Fighter Wing - ROBIN OLDS 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. Peter has written books about NAS Fallon, Red Flag and the Japanese Airforce. 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. 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. 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. The legend of The Wolf Pack had begun. As part of a reorganization program, the 80th TFS was re-designated the 80th FS and re-assigned to the TFW. 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/. 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. Something which is extremely important in hostile times like these. 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. Hundreds of aircraft including two dozen stealth jets began training as the United States and South Korea launched a massive combined air force exercise. It was here that the squadron converted from the P-51 to the F-80. 8 (Wolf) . (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Dr. Kunsan Air Base, located in the Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the Wolf Pack. 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. 8th 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. The airmen, nicknamed the Badgers, have frequently been active in the region since 2004. 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. Here at Kunsan Air Base, we train with the 38th Fighter Group of the ROKAF. (Click to play). All rights reserved Aviation Photography Digest, 2023. The pilots surged out of the briefing toward their waiting F-4s and ground crews with new fervor and a brand new identity. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and get notified when new articles are published. It was in September 1974 that the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to Kunsan Air Base. 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. 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". Pictured here are revetments and F-4s of the 8th TFW at Ubon, This enables day or night, all weather capabilities. The first assigned aircraft wing at Kunsan was the 3rd Bombardment Wing, on August 22, 1951. Re-designated the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, it entered combat as the Korean War began. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. 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 So, he obeyed orders in his own fashion, by choosing to fly within a flight of F-4s, not leading as #1, and he passed off MiGs he spotted for his flight members to down. MiG pilots avoided engaging the powerful, heavily armed and more maneuverable F-4s. (Eagle). Post war, the squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan. When the president asked how he proposed he should do that, Robin replied, "It's simple! Flying the P-39, it scored its first victory within a month when it engaged and destroyed six enemy aircraft. Aforementioned 3rd Bombardment Wing returned to Japan at the end of 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!". Nicole Saulovich-Rogan (top), 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron physical therapist, provides care to a patient at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 24, 2023. However, at the start of the Korean Conflict in July 1950, North Korean forces occupied Kunsan Air Base. Wolf Pack bids farewell to Col. John Caldwell | Stripes For training purpose with the 80th FW, multiple of their F-16s were present at Kunsan Air Base during my visit here. The aircrews' initial scepticism quickly turned to respect for the "old guy's" leadership style and obvious proficiency in the F-4. The base is established on the west coast of the country, close to Gunsan City. Sudden media attention became focused on the 8th TFW and Robin Olds following Bolo. DVIDS - 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs This included the P-40 and P-38 Lightning, accounting for 124 kills during missions. (Henry Jeffress) 70 . 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. His love for military aviation began in 1980. Due to close cooperation of both ROKAF and USAF forces, their capabilities have improved exponentially. The squadron performs a wide variety of activities such as air-and-space control, counter air, strategic attack, interdiction and close-air support missions. The 80th flew its final combat mission of WWII in August of 1945, during which the squadron commander was shot down. 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. The squadron moved to Okinawa in August 1944, where it saw immediate action, flying missions against the Japanese mainland. 70 . Wolf Pack welcomes Wolf 61. The 35th Fighter Squadron, one of two fighter squadrons assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, the Wolf Pack. , . 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), Dr. (Maj.) Joshua Dalzell (left), 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron (HCOS) pharmacist, assists Staff Sgt. Deployment to Kunsan of over 180 airmen from the 115th FW, 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was realized in early August of 2017. The 8th Mission Support Group is tasked with supporting the base with civil engineering, communications, base defense, services, logistic readiness and overall mission support. 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. A warm welcome was felt in a time of heightened tension. Chris Drager (left), 8th Healthcare Operations Squadron physical therapist, guides a patient lifting weights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 25, 2023. Both meetings were contentious. WebThe nickname of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing -- the Wolfpack -- fit Robin Olds aggressive style. She became the first to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1981, together with its sister squadron; the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron. 8 (Robin Olds) . The Wing remained in Japan through the Cold War, briefly relocated to George AFB, CA in 1964, and then moved to Ubon RTAFB, Thailand in December, 1965. (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. 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. To quote the 176th EFS Commander: In order to provide you with the best possible experience on our website, we use cookies. 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. (Train Together), (Fly Together), (Go Together), An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Thats the 8th Fighter Wings motto, nicknamed the Wolf Pack. 24 of its pilots (Head Hunters) became aces, of which Captain Richard L. Bong became the American ace-of-aces. He regularly writes books for Veldhuis Media Group. Kunsan Air Base, located in the Republic of Korea, is home to the 8th Fighter Wing, known as the Wolf Pack. Deployment to Kunsan of over 180 airmen from the 115th FW, 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was realized in early August of 2017. Seventh Air Force falls under With Kunsan maintaining a constant state of readiness, these professionals are extra sharp in delivering trusted care, improving the 8th Fighter Wings health and underwriting the Wolf Packs lethality. 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. All military members live on base in dormitories. Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW > 15th Wing > Article Display Kunsan AB | Base Overview & Info Later the same week, Wolf Pack F-4s again engaged the enemy, knocking down another two MiGs. When the 80th was attached to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the unit became the first to fly jet aircraft in combat. About the presence of U.S. forces at Kunsan, the 8th FW Commander Col. David.