Kunsan completes another successful exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Hines
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Wolf Pack members continued operations as they brought Veterans Day weekend to a close Nov. 13, kicking off an operational readiness exercise early Sunday evening.

The week-long peninsula wide exercise is the fifth for 2011, which tests 8th Fighter Wing Airmen and Soldiers' ability to activate during wartime contingency operations. The base was tested through a series of scenarios that examine Self Aid Buddy Care, ground attack response, security and chemical readiness along with other various operations. All this, while maintaining the base's daily mission to Defend the Base, Accept Follow-on Forces and Take the Fight North.

Next spring the base will begin its Operational Readiness and Unit Compliance Inspections, which will test and inspect all aspects of the Wolf Pack. Every opportunity to exercise readiness capabilities pushes the 8th Fighter Wing closer to inspection success in 2012. The wing earned an excellent rating during its last ORI, a high credit from inspectors.

"We did very well during the Operational Readiness Inspection back in April, but Kunsan has a very high turnover rate of personnel," said Maj. Brett Rurka, 8th Fighter Wing inspector general.

However, according to Rurka, ORIs are only a small reason Kunsan pushes through multiple exercises during the year.

"Kunsan has a focused mission protecting the Korean peninsula, so it's important to exercise our capabilities on a regular basis," said Rurka. "I think we also did well during this exercise, but it's all about training, preparing and improving. Everyone assigned here needs to understand the Wolf Pack's role, and exercises like this ensure we're ready to fight tonight."

Unlike most Air Force bases, all Kunsan units and service agencies participate in OREs, creating a unique training atmosphere that allows the base to demonstrate its full wartime capabilities.

"One of the best things about Kunsan is the whole base participates in our exercises and we simulate almost nothing," said Col. Scott Pleus, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "If this was actual combat, there would be no EETs assisting, no second chances, no do-overs. From everything I've seen this week, the Wolf Pack is ready."

Airmen operate and work in exercise wartime surroundings, observing increased mission oriented protective posture and force protection conditions across the base. Demonstrating the ability to effectively operate in these conditions not only prepares Airmen, but increases their safety should they ever be called to defend the Republic of Korea from enemy forces.

"I am proud of the professionalism I see in all Airmen of the 8th Fighter Wing. Their hard work and dedication is proven every day," said Pleus. "It's because of how we train; I know we can Take the Fight North...WOLF PACK!"

View the slideshow for photos from a combat search and rescue training mission.