ORE Beverly Midnight 10-04 tests Wolf Pack

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The sounds of phones ringing and knocks on doors rippled through the dormitory halls of the 8th Fighter Wing at approximately 3 a.m. Oct. 4, as operational readiness exercise Beverly Midnight 10-04 kicked off.

The week-long exercise tested the Wolf Pack's ability to complete the base's three-part mission to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north.

"At any given time, we can be called upon to defend the Republic of Korea, and deter and defeat the enemy," said Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "This exercise allows us to fine-tune our readiness, and ultimately it develops our Airmen."

During the exercise, Wolf Pack members demonstrated their ability to complete the mission in various combat environments and scenarios.

The first day of the exercise introduced scenarios that prepared the wing to defend the base. Wolf Pack members provided extra building protection, occupied defensive positions, simulated non-combatant evacuations and performed other actions directed by wing leadership.

As the second day began, the Wolf Pack practiced accepting follow-on forces and taking the fight north. The 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 8th Force Support Squadron accepted 900 simulated follow-on forces, while the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons began flying combat aircraft sorties.

Defense of the base continued into the third day, and the 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment's PATRIOT battery practiced missile defense as the Wolf Pack simulated responding to chemical attacks. The 8th Fighter Wing public affairs office also held a mock press conference, and several units including the wing's emergency operations center and command post practiced relocating to alternate work sites.

The fourth and fifth days of the exercise continued with various types of simulated attacks. The 8th Communications Squadron defended the network from cyber attacks. Unaffected by ground and chemical attacks, the 8th Maintenance Group worked around the clock to generate sorties in all mission-oriented protective posture levels. Also unaffected by the attacks were the wing chaplains, who visited various work centers to boost morale and provide care for Wolf Pack members.

"Regardless of exercise or real world, the members of the Wolf Pack are trained and ready to accomplish all parts of the wing's mission," said Colonel Dolan.