Wolf Pack welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Hines
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Col. John W. Pearse, assumed command of the 8th Fighter Wing today in a ceremony on Kunsan Air Base, with special guest speaker Lt. Gen Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander.

"I am honored to serve as your commander and proud to be a member of the Wolf Pack team of warriors," said Pearse.

Col. Scott Pleus handed over the official "Wolf" title to Pearse, making him the 52nd commander to hold the unique designation as head of the Wolf Pack.

"To say it has been my complete honor and privilege to be called 'Wolf' would be the understatement of the century," said Pleus.

Airmen, along with the many Korean civilians who have dedicated years of service to the 8th FW, joined together for the ceremony, welcoming Pearse to the base.

Under 7th Air Force, Pearse will serve as the U.S. Forces Korea Area VI commander for more than 7,000 Air Force and Army combat ready and forward deployed personnel.

"Nowhere is the Warrior Spirit of our Air Force more alive than here in Korea," said Jouas, "As warriors we live, breathe and train to execute the mission."

"Throughout it all, we've worked hard and played hard," said Pleus, adding that he never doubted the wing's ability to carry out the mission and that ultimately the Wolf Pack has paid-it-forward to the 2012-2013 Kunsan class.

Pearse, describing the Wolf Pack as a well oiled machine, said "we will work to improve and polish what is already the world's most elite combined airpower force."

In keeping with tradition, all three commanders ended their speech with the Wolf Pack's customary mission statement call and response:

Defend the Base ... HOOAH
Accept Follow on Forces ... BRING IT
Take the Fight North ... WOLF PACK