Wolf Pack gleans knowledge, experience

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Kunsan Air Base's Wolf Pack Warriors completed another six-day long exercise here Feb. 13 to 18 in preparation for their upcoming operational readiness inspection and the ever-present North Korean threat.

"What we learn in these exercises teaches us to be observant to our surroundings and pay attention to the world around us," said Staff Sgt. Herman Wheat, 8th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster. "The training I've received at previous bases is no where near as intense as what we have here at Kunsan."

The training received by all members of the Wolf Pack community is necessary for deterring attacks possible by their North Korean neighbors.

With the buildup of North Korea's ICBM force projected to have the capability of hitting the states by 2015 and the country's heightened aggressive actions to their southern neighbors, the 8th Fighter Wing fulfills a cornerstone mission for both the Air Force and Department of Defense.

"We consider this a situation of real concern," said Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at a recent press conference with American news outlets.

The exercise included various scenarios intended to help Wolf Pack members to understand what to do if the situation were ever to happen in a real-world event.

"This training helps our Airmen to understand what they're looking for," said Staff Sgt. Mario Trotter, 8th OSS airfield management training NCO in charge and an exercise evaluation team member for the exercise. "We go over what leadership expects and what the Airman's manual says to do for each scenario."

With positive feedback from major command leadership in years past with their ORI's, the Wolf Pack continues to impress their peers and exercises like this equip the pack with the tools necessary to uphold their commitment to excellence.

"These exercises help us get used to what we need to do if something were to actually happen," said Senior Airman Tanielle Preable, 8th OSS airfield management operations journeyman.

"When you come here to Kunsan and experience first-hand what the Air Force expects of you and what is necessary for maintaining the peace on this peninsula, you have a better handle on what to do in a crisis situation," added Sergeant Wheat.

Lt. Gen. Loren Reno, Air Force's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, visited the base Feb. 11 to stimulate a "culture of compliance" and reassure the Wolf Pack of the Air Force's commitment to their mission. The general also talked about how important the mission is here to the region and the Republic of Korea.

"Kunsan maintains a 24/7 mission which is highly visible and key to the Air Force's success in the region," General Reno said. "Maintaining a readiness to respond at a moment's notice is vital."

Echoing the general's vote of confidence, Sergeant Wheat lauded the exercise as an excellent training opportunity .

"You never know what can happen until you come here and experience it first-hand," he said. "We're ready, though always training and learning new techniques in this business of deterrence."