Wolf Pack leaders hold town hall

  • Published
  • By 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 8th Fighter Wing commander hosted three town hall sessions with an eight-member leadership panel at the base theater here March 10, providing Airmen an opportunity to discuss various base support issues at Kunsan.

"We host these town halls in order to hear what's important to you," said Col. Ken "Wolf" Ekman, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "Your Wolf Pack leaders, including those here on the panel, and the supervisors, chiefs and first shirts in the audience, are concerned about taking care of you."

Approximately 400 Wolf Pack Airmen attended one of three sessions to ask questions and receive follow-ups of open issues from the previous town hall held six months ago.

"Last time you brought us concerns with broken washing machines and dryers in the dorms," said Lt. Col. Ernie "Falcon 2" Wearren, 8th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "Since then, we have been able to procure 100 new washers and dryers. We are also developing a local service contract for appliance repairs, in order to decrease the wait time for malfunctioning parts."

Tech. Sgt. Ashley Holman, 8th Medical Operation Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering element chief, thought the panel did a great job answering the audience's questions.

"What I like most is how they showed the progress of previous problems that were fixed while addressing the concerns of those issues currently being worked," he said.

A new concern that Airmen brought up was not always receiving follow-ups for off-base medical referrals.

"If you are having any issues with getting appointments or follow-ups, please let one of the leaders at the Medical Group know," said Col. Tambra "Hawk" Yates, 8th Medical Group commander. "We want your experience to be positive and seamless.

Another great way to communicate with your provider is through MiCare. This is a secure messaging system that aligns you one-on-one with your provider and allows you to electronically input questions, concerns, and even request pharmacy refills and review lab results, all with a pretty quick turnaround."

Airmen also brought up concerns regarding litter and insufficient lighting around the base.

"It is everyone's personal responsibility to pick up trash when they see it," said Col. Dennis "Falcon" Curran, 8th MSG commander. "This is your base, so we all need to take pride in keeping it clean."

Airmen were also encouraged to call their Airman Dorm Leader or notify the civil engineering squadron when they notice something out of place in their dormitory or around base.

"For example, if a street light is out, don't assume someone else has already called it in," said Lt. Col. Dustin "Devil" Richards, 8th CES commander. "You are a part of the solution. Don't think that because something was broken when you arrived, that it has to remain that way. If all Wolf Pack members are vigilant and report what they see, we can leave Kunsan better than we found it."

Wolf reminded the Pack that despite being forward-based at a remote location and without families, each Airman has a role to play in taking care of one another to ensure the base is ready to fight tonight.

"Kunsan is a combat airpower projection platform," he said. "It's not just a place to organize, train, equip, and send forces away to fight. If it came down to it, we would fight right here from our own work stations. And that's what makes the Wolf Pack who we are."