Wolf Pack proves "Excellent"

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 8th Fighter Wing culminated its 10-month run of exercises Tuesday with the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General rating the Wolf Pack's ability to execute its war-time mission as "Excellent."

The presentation, which took place at Hangar 3 on the flightline, broke down and evaluated the four areas of the April 16 to 20 Operational Readiness Inspection. These included the wing's initial response, employment, mission support and ability to survive and operate, or ATSO.

In each category, the wing was graded "Excellent," leading to an overall "Excellent."

Since September 2006, the wing focused on specific war-time responsibilities in each exercise, ranging from decontamination procedures after a chemical weapons attack to perimeter defense engagements with "coyotes," the term given for simulated enemy forces.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, Seventh Air Force commander, was on hand for the results. Also in attendance was Undersecretary of the Air Force, Dr. Ronald M. Sega, who met with wing leadership prior to the presentation. Before the IG presented its findings, Gen. Wood thanked each member of the Wolf Pack for their dedication to the mission and for ensuring deterrence from North Korean aggression was always in place.

"Thank you for defending your country and for the year you spend here," Gen. Wood said to a crowd of more than 1,500 Airmen. "Hundreds and thousands of Airmen have come before you and you continue the tradition. Ten years ago, I was here as the "Viper" and you all are 10 times better than we were. The grade doesn't matter. I have confidence in your ability to Take the Ffight North. You showed North Korea and our South Korean allies the deterrence we train for. You are ready to fight and support this alliance. It's a big deal what you did."

Viper is the traditional call sign for the 8th Operations Group commander.

Gen. Wood continued, praising the Wolf Pack for making them and their families back home proud of their accomplishments. But the general also touched on an important subject to all United States Forces Korea members.

"Just as important as doing our jobs is our ability to show our Republic of Korea hosts that we are ambassadors in blue for the U.S., Seventh Air Force and the Wolf Pack," Gen. Wood said. "Every time we have an incident off base, it hurts us. And if you don't care about being a good ambassador, I want you out of the Air Force I love."

After Gen. Wood's comments and the IG briefing, Col. Jeff "Wolf" Lofgren, 8th FW commander, took to the stage. During his speech, he expressed his gratitude to the wing, saying "I couldn't be more proud of you and your performance.

"All along, this is what we strived for Wolf Pack," the Wolf said. "For 10-and-a-half months, we talked about being a team, because no one person could have done what you just accomplished. It was incredible the attitude you showed, because we are Ameri-CANS. We 'can' do it. We showed North Korea the Wolf Pack has a clear mission here. And that is to Defend the Base ... HUA, Accept Follow-on Forces ...Bring it and to Take the Fight North ... Wolf Pack!"

As the Wolf gave his speech, he also said this wasn't the time for the Wolf Pack to say it's over.

"We can't think we finish the ORI and it's over; it's not over," Col. Lofgren said. "We need to look at how we did during the ORI, take those findings and fix them. Finally, pass them on to your successor so we continually get better. You've all left your mark. This part of the world is important to all of us. At the Wolf Pack, you know this and you defend it every, single day."

The Wolf Pack capped the day with an 8th Services Squadron-supported 'post-ORI' celebration, which included local bands and a Top-40 group from the U.S., 'The Josh Goode Band.' Food and beverages were also served to Wolf Pack members as a token of appreciation by wing leadership.