Forty-sixth Wolf takes command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The son of a retired Army colonel became the 46th "Wolf" here today in front of Wolf Pack Airmen and various community and military leaders from the Republic of Korea and the United States. 

Col. Charles "Wolf" Brown assumed command of the 8th Fighter Wing during a change of command at Hanger 3 presided by Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, 7th Air Force commander. 

The 8th Fighter Wing is gaining a commander who is an "experienced fighter pilot and leader who possesses all the tools necessary to continue the proud tradition and successes of the wolf pack and to lead the 8th fighter wing to even greater levels of excellence," General Wood said. 

"I'm thrilled to be back at Kunsan and once again to be associated with this prestigious wing, there is no other place I'd rather be," the new wing commander said. 

This is his second tour at Kunsan, his first being the class of 1987 - 1988, his first assignment after pilot training. He was assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron. 

During the ceremony, he highlighted his four personal tenants of leadership-- to execute at a high standard, be disciplined in execution, pay attention to detail and have fun. 

"Regardless of our respective ranks and positions within the Wolf Pack, we must execute to the best of our abilities, we must do it right the first time and we must be accountable - because in our business of combat operations, playing for second place is not an option," he said. 

Colonel Jeff Lofgren the 8th Fighter Wing's previous commander received a Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his leadership of the wing over the last year. 

"To all the Wolf Pack thank you for what you do every day," Col. Lofgren said. "You were my family for this past year and I am blessed to have shared this time with you." 

The colonel is headed to Pentagon to be the director of the joint advanced war fighting program. 

Among the attendees at the ceremony were Col. Brown's father and uncle both retired Army colonels. For Uncle Robert Brown it was the first time back in the Republic of Korea since flying an O-1 Bird Dog in the early 1960s. 

Colonel Brown not only thanked his father and uncle but all in attendance. "This is a tremendous milestone in my Air Force career and it means a lot to have each of you share in this special day," he said. 

Colonel Brown's previously served as the commandant of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev. He is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours, 81 hours in combat.