KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. Tad “Wolf” Clark and Chief Master Sgt. Steve “Wolf Chief” Cenov hosted their second commander’s call for the members of the Wolf Pack to elaborate on multi-domain operations, squadron empowerment, multi-functional Airmen, agile combat employment, readiness and innovation, Oct. 25.
The 8th Fighter Wing commander and command chief started the all-call by expanding on Air Force Association's 2019 Air, Space and Cyber Conference they attended in National Harbor, Maryland, last month. Every Air Force wing commander and command chief was invited to attend this conference, including senior Air Force leadership such as the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright.
“We need to continue reinvigorating the squadrons, the heartbeat of the Air Force,” said Clark. “The intent is to push decision making down to the squadron level because that’s where the mission is happening. The true subject matter experts are all of you in the squadron. You understand the problems, challenges and needs to get the mission done. This will allow us to be more responsive.”
They also mentioned the evolution of future conflicts and how Kunsan Air Base and the Air Force as a whole must be able to operate in multiple domains.
“The United States has not faced great power competition since the end of the Cold War,” said Cenov. “Our near-peer adversaries are adapting. Multi-domain operations include not only being able to fight on land, in the air and at sea but also in space and cyberspace. It’s how we need to fight future conflicts.”
Several Airmen from Kunsan accompanied Wolf and Wolf Chief to the conference in September, and had the opportunity to share their experience with the wing during the all-call.
“I was inspired and motivated by all the senior leaders at the conference, but I was especially captivated by Chief Wright’s speech about grit and perseverance,” said Senior Airman Alondra Santos, 8th Medical Operations Squadron personnel reliability program monitor. “If we can control our thoughts, we can control our words. If we can control our words, we can control our actions and our actions dictate our future and who we become. Never underestimate the importance of your words and actions.”
Clark and Cenov’s last topic focused on innovation, as Wolf recounted Col. Robin Olds’ famous operation during the Vietnam War, Operation Bolo. Olds was the Wolf Pack’s first commander, also known as Wolf I and the creator of Operation Bolo. This operation was an innovative strategy used against the North Vietnamese military to help the United States gain the upper hand during air combat. The historical event is the inspiration for the Wolf Pack’s enduring emphasis on innovation, Operation Be On the Lookout for Opportunity.
This year, Airmen at the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron have continued to look for ways to keep the Wolf Pack on the leading edge. They became the first squadron in Air Force to utilize the Rapid Airfield Damage Assessment System capability in an operational role.
“Our Air Force has seen how unmanned aerial systems have been a problem over our bases,” said Clark. “Our Airmen are leading the charge in drone capability in the Air Force. They are continuing to build and refine tactics, techniqes and procedures to use this capability to assess airfield damage in a faster and safer way.”
Wolf and Wolf Chief closed by highlighting the work and sacrifice they have observed over the past six months and urged Airmen to continue to seize each day and make every one of them count at the Wolf Pack.
“Whatever section you work in, make sure you leave it better than when you found it,” said Cenov. “Strive for innovative thinking and mindset. Every single person in here is a talented Airmen with great ideas, share them. Wolf and I are extremely proud of you.”