KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Over the years the Wolf Pack has been instrumental in the growth of some of the Department of Defense’s greatest leaders. Its dedication to developing its members as professionals, warrior Airmen, and innovative thinkers has pioneered the Air Force into the world’s most lethal and agile combat force.
To further develop the leaders of tomorrow, Kunsan Air Base hosted a Flight Leadership Course from July 23-25.
“Training like The Wolf Pack’s FLC is crucial in preparing our leaders for the complex and dynamic challenges they will face in the future,” said Maj. Yessenia Sinclair, 8th Medical Group education and training flight commander and event organizer. “By focusing on key areas such as mission understanding, personal development, and team management, this course provides a well-rounded foundation that enhances strategic thinking, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. These attributes are essential for leading effectively in any environment, particularly in high-stakes, rapidly evolving military contexts.”
The three-day course was built for individuals who are currently serving in or going into a flight leadership position. It aims to help equip them with the tools and information they need to thrive and help their people while in command.
“When we started planning this iteration of the course, we did so, to provide our Wolf Pack leaders with the competitive edge to lead those in their charge effectively,” said Master Sgt. Loren Harris, 8th Fighter Wing Inspections Superintendent and FLC organizer.
For this iteration 17 future flight leaders, including 10 enlisted members and seven officers, were chosen by their Group leadership to participate in the course.
“This course is a long-term investment,” Harris said. “Each participant was chosen by their leadership for further responsibilities that will affect the way we operate as an Air Force 10 years from now. By the end of the course, each participant should be armed with the tools to enhance their ability to work together as a team to resolve challenges and create solutions for potential obstacles the Air Force may encounter in the future.”
In order to make the course more efficient in developing effective leaders, the course was separated into three primary phases; know the mission, know yourself, and know your people. Each phase was planned to give the leader a deeper understanding of how each successful leader requires all three aspects to achieve mission success.
“Understanding the mission is foundational,” Sinclair said. “It ensures that leaders are aligned with the strategic objectives and operational goals of the Air Force. Self-awareness is equally critical, as it enables leaders to recognize their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth, fostering personal development and authentic leadership. Finally, knowing your people emphasizes the importance of empathy, communication, and team dynamics.”
During the Know The Mission phase, attendees received several briefings, including from the Wolf Pack’s leadership triad to gain a deeper understanding of the overall Air Force and joint Department of Defense picture from a strategic viewpoint in an era of global power competition. The triad held a question and answer panel with attendees to discuss a variety of topics including challenges that they were experiencing in their careers.
Next, in the Know Yourself portion of the training, each participant was encouraged to examine their own blind spots and strengths through exercises that tested their emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and motivations.
“Every effective leader must know their strengths and their weaknesses,” Harris said. “It’s only by first understanding yourself, that you can work on coalescing a team together to achieve a desired outcome.”
Finally, in the Know Your People portion of the course, attendees gained knowledge in several team-building sessions focused on building team synergy techniques to achieve a desired objective.
“The interactive nature of the course encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment,” said Sinclair. “Moreover, including social events and informal gatherings allows for relationship-building that can extend beyond the course duration. By understanding their team members' unique needs, motivations, and capabilities, leaders can create a more cohesive, motivated, and high-performing unit. This tripartite structure ensures that leaders are well-prepared to meet the demands of their roles from multiple dimensions.”
The Wolf Pack plans to host more of these events in the future for those who were unable to attend this time.
“We are committed to ensuring that each participant leaves with a deeper understanding of leadership, a stronger professional network, and a renewed sense of purpose in their roles,” said Sinclair.
“Eventually, we would like all of the Airmen of the Wolf Pack to have an opportunity to improve as leaders,” Harris added. “We hope this was an adequate first step and that the knowledge each of our leaders who attended the course will take time to pour a little of what they learned into others.”