News>PACAF commander visits Wolf Pack for last time
Photos
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, receives a pre-flight briefing for one of his final flights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. The flight was part of North's final visit to the base before his upcoming retirement after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, performs pre-flight preparations before a flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. This flight was one of four flights that the general participated in during his final visit to Kunsan before his upcoming retirement after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, prepares to taxi out of a hangar in an F-16 Fighting Falcon before one of his final flights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. This flight was one of four flights that the general participated in during his final visit to Kunsan before his upcoming retirement after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, taxis out of a hanger in an F-16 Fighting Falcon before one of his final flights at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. This flight was one of four flights that the general participated in during his final visit to the base before his upcoming retirement after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon between two fire trucks following his final flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. This flight was the last of four flights that North participated in during his final visit to Kunsan before his upcoming retirement after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, is congratulated by numerous members of the 8th Fighter Wing following his final flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. North will be retiring from the U.S. Air Force after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, smiles following his final flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 17, 2012. North has been stationed at Kunsan twice before including being the 8th Fighter Wing commander from 1999 to 2000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, visits the 8th Force Support Squadron as Lon Shadel, deputy commander of the 8th Force Support Squadron, shows him around at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. This was part of General North’s final tour of Kunsan before his official retirement in October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, visits the Base Exchange Barber Shop at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. North used some of his time while he was at Kunsan to visit friends Yun Nae Pak, left, owner, Base Exchange Barber Shop, and Sun Kyoung Yi, right, stylist, Base Exchange Barber Shop. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, along with Col. John Pearse, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt Col. Deron Frailie, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, awards Kim Tong Su, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron project programmer, with a certificate of service for his 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. Kim manages all new construction, facility maintenance and repair requirements for Kunsan and is one of five civilians who were awarded this honor by North. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Capt. Hoyoon Chung, right, 8th Maintenance Squadron mission flight commander, congratulate Hong Kwon, 8th Maintenance Squadron explosive operator, for 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. Kwon is one of five civilians who were awarded this honor by North. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, along with Col. John Pearse, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt Col. Deron Frailie, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, awards Yu Chun Hui, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer section chief, with a certificate of service for his 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. As the senior environmental engineer for Kunsan, Yu provides oversight on all environmental programs and ensures compliance with environmental initiatives for the 8th Fighter Wing. Yu is one of five civilians honored for their 30 years of service to Pacific Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, along with Col. John Pearse, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt Col. Deron Frailie, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, awards Choe Chi Pong, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron general supply specialist, with a certificate of service for his 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. One of five civilians awarded this honor by North, Choe worked for his first four years at Kunsan’s 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron as a supply clerk before moving to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron’s material control office. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, along with Col. John Pearse, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt Col. Trenton Maly, 8th Force Support Squadron commander, awards Chi Yong Ki, 8th Force Support Squadron resource manager, with a certificate of service for his 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. Chi serves as the chief of the funds control section for the non-appropriated funds accounting office and supervises, manages and directs the section to ensure cash controls are effective, financial data is accurate and payments are timely. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, awards Hong Kwon, 8th Maintenance Squadron explosive operator, with a certificate of service for his 30 years of service at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 18, 2012. The general was joined by Col. Ray Lindsay, 8th Maintenance Group commander, left, Col. John Pearse, 8th Fighter Wing commander, and Capt. Hoyoon Chung, 8th Maintenance Squadron mission flight commander. Hong inspects and maintains a wide range of explosive ordnance and munitions for the base. Hong was one of five civilians awarded for his 30 years of service to Kunsan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/2/2012 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Pacific Air Forces' four-star commander visited Kunsan Air Base a final time before he retires later this year.
Gen. Gary North, a two-time Wolf Pack member, visited with Airmen here July 16 to 18 to highlight the importance of the 8th Fighter Wing's mission.
"It's a critical mission -- every Airman who comes in knows it. There is a threat north of the DMZ," said the general. "The most important thing we do is be ready to carry it out.
"You have to be prepared to defend the base, accept follow-on forces, and take the fight north," he added. "This mission is ingrained in every Airman the minute they step off the airplane until they step back on."
North was first stationed at Kunsan in 1978 as an F-4 Phantom II weapons systems officer with the 35th Fighter Squadron, and again in 1999 as the wing's "Wolf 38." He said it was a fitting end to his tour to visit the very base where he started his tactical career.
The general said it was a privilege to be back at the Wolf Pack, and he was very proud of the Airmen here. He added that it was great to see the growth of the nation each time he visited and to see the ambition of the Korean people as they "rightfully take their place in a growing economic environment."
He also appreciated the opportunity to continue building a positive relationship between the U.S. military and civilian Republic of Korea counterparts.
"The community partners understand the stability and the security the base brings," said North. "Peace and prosperity here on the peninsula have been enabled by the strong ROK-US relationship for more than 60 years, so this is very important.
"The cultural understanding from us as Americans to our Korean hosts, and for them to understand our mission set here, is very important," he added.
During his visit, North took his last flights with the Wolf Pack in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He then took the opportunity July 18 to have breakfast and talk with 8th FW Airmen.
"Breakfasts like this are a good idea because it shows Airmen and NCOs that their leadership cares about them," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Butler, 8th Medical Support Squadron lab technician. "The general came across as very friendly and down to earth. It's good when leaders take their time to show they want to hear what's on our minds."
After the meal, the general presented 30-year service pins to five Korean civilians he developed ties with over his two assignments at Kunsan, and then toured the weapons storage area, command post and Wolf Pack Fitness Center before conducting an Airman's Call.
He said leadership at all levels, including the U.S. Forces Korea and Pacific Command commanders, depend heavily on Wolf Pack Airmen being "ready to fight tonight."
"Each Airman represents the very finest our nation brings and the finest our Air Force brings," North said. "The advances that we make here every year are dramatic and help promote regional stability and security."
As last words of advice, North encouraged Airmen to get out and experience the environment around them.
"As a remote tour, this environment enables Airmen to grow professionally and personally," he said. "Learn more about the culture, about the nation in which you are serving, and you will be a better Airman. There's no place in the Air Force like the Wolf Pack."
