Wolf Pack closes first summer exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Mission: Defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight North ... Done!!

Wolf Pack members ended their five-day operational readiness exercise, Beverly Bulldog 09-03, late July 24. The exercise tested the Wolf Pack's Airmen, Soldiers, and civilian's ability to survive and operate in simulated wartime contingencies.

For many members of the Wolf Pack, this was the first exercise of this nature.

"I saw base wide, a lot of learning going on," said Maj. Tyler Lewis, 8th Fighter Wing chief of inspections. "The idea of these types of exercises is to show what we know, what we don't know and for us to learn as we go."

For the defense force, many of the augmentees assisting the 8th Security Forces Squadron were brand new to the post, despite that, defense was top-of-the-line.

"I am very pleased with the performance of our defense force, especially our augmentees," said Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, 8 SFS manager. "We had 30 more augmentees than we usually would and for many of them and our squadron members, this was their first exercise. You couldn't tell the difference. The use of augmentees in our defense force was seamless ... their performance outstanding.

Inexperienced exercise participants weren't the only obstacle Wolf Pack members had to overcome. The heat played a large factor.

"It was hot launching jets and fighting opposing forces, but our maintainers and defense force did a great job, and kept positive attitudes throughout," said Major Lewis. "A majority of the Wolf Pack kept that great attitude the entire time."

The F-16 crew-chiefs also felt the heat during the exercise but were able to get the jets in the air, allowing the pilots to take the heat to the enemy.

"Their teamwork was amazing," said Master Sgt. Bryan Saucke, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "The entire group worked together as one unit. They were able to overcome several different obstacles such as heat ... operations tempo ... and so much more. They maintained a positive attitude through-in and through-out. They faced adversary, and our crew chiefs faces were smiling."

"The Wolf Pack accepted more than 750 short tons of cargo and 1000's passengers," said Col. Jerry "Wolf" Harris, 8th Fighter Wing commander. "We killed hundreds of the enemy forces trying to impede our operations on the base and still generated and delivered more than 90 percent of the 7th Air Force Air Operations Center tasked missions.

"It was a huge effort culminating in another job very well done."

One thing is certain, the Wolf Pack is ready to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight North. Wolf Pack!