KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Wolf Pack,
2018 was without a doubt an exciting time to be a member of our Air Force’s most mission-focused and combat ready Fighter Wing. The 8th Fighter Wing was instrumental in the maximum pressure campaign that enabled the ongoing diplomatic efforts toward stability on the Korean Peninsula. To be clear, our “Fight Tonight” posture – an imposing mix of our installation’s resilience, our F-16s and weapons systems, and most importantly the readiness of every Airman, Soldier, and civilian – directly affected the strategic environment. It would be perilous, however, to celebrate our success and succumb to complacency. Instead, together we must ride the waves of readiness into the New Year and meet the uncertainties of the strategic environment head-on.
I could not be more proud of our team. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and for the hard work, long hours, and results you deliver every day. As we know, the Wolf Pack is a special place – no other Wing in our great Air Force can match our rich history and camaraderie. We stand on the shoulders of the giants that served before us - Gen Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., Brig Gen Robin Olds, Maj Charles Loring…but more importantly the tens of thousands of Airmen whose names did not make headlines. Nonetheless, we know who they are…the bloody-knuckled maintainer wrenching an F-4 into the skies during the Vietnam War; the brave defender standing watch in the bitter cold; the fearless medic tending to an injured fuel-truck driver; the bold fighter pilots who found success during Operation Bolo; and to the countless others who dutifully served over the decades.
2019 will be an amazing year, and we will continue to focus on lethality, competence, and building trust. In the coming weeks and months we will say “farewell” to members of our team, while we welcome new Airmen into the Pack – and quickly get them up to speed. We have a tremendous shared responsibility to each other, to our Air Force, to our great South Korean Ally, and to the American people to be ready to fly, fight, and win in a disciplined and professional manner. We will train, study, exercise and sweat – in the snow, in the rain, during the day, and into the night. Make no mistake - we will be ready to Defend the Base, Accept Follow-on Forces, and Take the Fight North!
I look forward to serving with you in 2019, and may God have mercy on the Wolf Pack’s prey.
Wolf