As part of a reorganization program, the 80th TFS was re-designated the 80th FS and re-assigned to the TFW. Wolf Pack 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. 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). KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea Although aircraft assigned to the 80th and 35th Fighter have left Kunsan for the duration The Squadron flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon out of Kunsan Air Base and is assigned to the Wolf Pack (8th Fighter Wing). Thats the 8th Fighter Wings motto, nicknamed the Wolf Pack. We enjoy friendships at a personal level while providing for the collective defense of the peninsula and the region. From this time forward, the 8th Fighter Wing became known as the Wolf Pack. 8th Fighter Wing [8th FW] - globalsecurity.org MiG pilots avoided engaging the powerful, heavily armed and more maneuverable F-4s. 8th Conversion to the F-4 Phantom II started in 1967 and the squadron was moved from Yokota AB to Kunsan AB in 1971. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/change-of-command-49712/. "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/. Pictured here are revetments and F-4s of the 8th TFW at Ubon, It was during this period that a new 5,000ft runway was built. Our goal is the same: peace on the peninsula. Both meetings were contentious. (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. The 8th Fighter Wing consists of four groups, each carrying the responsibility for the wings operations, maintenance, support & medical functions. 908th Airlift Wing > Home A variety of Air Base Groups and Squadrons operated and maintained the base in the decades after the Korean Conflict. The first assigned aircraft wing at Kunsan was the 3rd Bombardment Wing, on August 22, 1951. 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. Wolf Pack welcomes Wolf 61. I am standing in front of Kunsan Air Base, waiting for the Public Affairs Officer. The 80th was stationed at various bases during the battle for Korea, where it remained in continuous combat during the entire conflict. 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. DVIDS - 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 80th Fighter Squadron was activated during WWII, in 1942, as the 80th Pursuit Squadron at Mitchell Field, NY. The Badgers took part in two large-scale exercises during their three months in Korea, working together with the active 80th & 35th FS. (Capt.) This week across the Air Force, Jan. 23-27, is Biomedical Sciences Corps (BSC) Appreciation Week, a week to highlight the men and women who comprise the BSC and all that they bring to the fight. 021 returned to 8th FW operations after about seven weeks away for maintenance, where the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centers Post Block Integration Team project, provided the aircraft with the first wave of 22 modifications designed to improve F-16 lethality to meet the needs of current and future operations. 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. It was April 1951 that the 27th Air Base Group became the first Air Force unit assigned to the base. 8th OSS forecasting the fight > Pacific Air Forces > Article Display Weve developed our ability to train and fight together through RED FLAGs and our Peninsula-wide exercises MAX THUNDER and VIGILANT ACE. Its not like any other base that Ive visited, less relaxed maybe. Original material featuring air forces from around the world, High quality photographs tell the visual story. 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 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 December of 2017 saw their biggest cooperated air exercise so far. 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. 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. 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. 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 . Deployment to Kunsan of over 180 airmen from the 115th FW, 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was realized in early August of 2017. A warm welcome was felt in a time of heightened tension. 8th Fighter Wing KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- This week across the Air Force, Jan. 23-27, is Biomedical Sciences Corps (BSC) Appreciation Week, a week to highlight the men and women who comprise the It was mainly tasked with escorting light to medium bombers and ground support attacks. The unit was, among others, based in Australia and New Guinea. WebBy the end of the war, the 8th TFW led the USAF wings in SEA with a total of 38.5 MiGs destroyed. All rights reserved Aviation Photography Digest, 2023. Rotational Deployment in Korea of the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing was completed on November 8, 2017. But if called upon to defend our neighbors and allies, may God have mercy on the Wolf Packs prey.- Col. David G. Shoemaker. The U.S. Army recaptured the base, together with Kunsan City, two months later. 24 of its pilots (Head Hunters) became aces, of which Captain Richard L. Bong became the American ace-of-aces. 70 . 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. 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. 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. When the president asked how he proposed he should do that, Robin replied, "It's simple! For training purpose with the 80th FW, multiple of their F-16s were present at Kunsan Air Base during my visit here. It was in September 1974 that the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing was assigned to Kunsan Air Base. The 35th flew the P-12, PB-2, A-17 and P-36 out of Langley Field, Virginia. It was in 1981 that the 80th became the first overseas squadron to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. 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. 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. The cumulative losses forced the North Vietnamese Air Force to ground their remaining aircraft, reassess tactics and retrain crews for four full months. (Eagle). 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. All 8th TFW squadrons flew F-4Cs until F-4Ds replaced the older aircraft in 1967. This was done from Itazuke Air Base, Japan. North Koreas state media said that the drill pushes the Korean Peninsula to the brink of nuclear war. The Kunsan physical therapy office treats musculoskeletal conditions to include sports injuries, chronic issues and postoperative rehabilitation. The war games came a week after North Korea test-fired its most powerful missile ever, an ICBM that may be able to target the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Armys 2nd Battalion, the 1st Air Defense Artillery, consists of the Charlie and Delta missile batteries. WebU.S. https://www.airforcemag.com/article/1198sweep/), NMUSAF PR Video: Robin speaking of his love for his ground crews. Aforementioned 3rd Bombardment Wing returned to Japan at the end of the Korean Conflict. It is part of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. 8 . Kunsan AB | Base Overview & Info 8th OSS forecasting the fight. 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 the start of the most impactful and far-reaching assignment of his 30-year USAF career. 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. 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. G. Shoemaker once mentioned: , Post war, the squadron moved to Itazuke AB, Japan. 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. (Operation BOLO) Wolf Pack( ) . . (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. Cameron Silver), Capt. Katchi Kapshida! An alliance 70 years strong Just win it!" The legend of The Wolf Pack had begun. When the 80th was attached to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the unit became the first to fly jet aircraft in combat. The 80th flew its final combat mission of WWII in August of 1945, during which the squadron commander was shot down. 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. The 35th Fighter Squadron, one of two fighter squadrons assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, the Wolf Pack. Wolf Pack tail no. 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. 1966 . 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. 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. 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. 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. After photographing many military exercises in Europe over the years, Peter decided to spend the last 15 years visiting Asia and the USA. The 8th Mission Support Group is tasked with supporting the base with civil engineering, communications, base defense, services, logistic readiness and overall mission support. WebThe nickname of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing -- the Wolfpack -- fit Robin Olds aggressive style. The Wolf Pack is the most tight-knit, lethal unit in the US Air Force, and the Airmen of the Wolf Pack are extremely skilled at their craft.- Col. David G. Shoemaker. (Click to play). Olds had flown 152 missions, 105 of them over North Vietnam. The base also houses the U.S. Armys 2nd Batallion, 1st Air Defense Artillery. Later the same week, Wolf Pack F-4s again engaged the enemy, knocking down another two MiGs. It was here that the squadron converted from the P-51 to the F-80. ( ! The F-100s were eventually replaced by F-105 Thunderchiefs in 1963 and the squadron moved to Yokota Air Base, Japan. 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. 25 1951 We go together! Olds had flown 152 missions, 105 of them over North Vietnam. 8 (Wolf) . As part of a reorganization program, the 80, Re-designated the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, it entered combat as the Korean War began. Kunsan Air Base: The Den of the Wolf Pack - Aviation (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. Even though operations differ between National Guard, Reserve and active duty units, the advantage for the 176th turned out to be experienced instructor pilots. 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. Approximately 250 Airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 120th Fighter Squadron from Colorado Air National Guard Base were stationed here. (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-.