Wolf Pack prepares for UCI

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  With the 8th Fighter Wing's unit compliance inspection approaching April 14 through 18, wing leadership wants the Wolf Pack to know how they can ensure success. 

There are several things that Airmen, civilians, and tenant units here can do regardless of their rank or specialty, said Colonel CQ "Wolf" Brown, 8th Fighter Wing commander. 

"One of the things everyone can do is understand our three-tier mission and how they contribute to the mission," he said. 

Colonel Brown also said Wolf Pack members should also know their specific Air Force Instructions. 

"Everyone needs to understand what's important, Airmen here need to be able to comply with the AFIs and prioritize the AFI requirements against our mission and taking care of our Airmen. This, in some cases, may identify areas of lesser priority that we'll have difficulty executing due to having fewer resources now than in the past. Leadership should be communicating priorities to help Airmen here understand the things we're not going to be able to fully comply with as well as ensure everyone are aware of how we are doing things smarter." 

The colonel also said Airmen can ensure UCI success by showing a sense of urgency. 

"At some point during the course of the UCI, we'll have an emergency management exercise. Some type of event whether it be a major accident or something similar will occur requiring an immediate response," he said. 

Colonel Brown said that he recommends individuals carry their Airman's Manual so that they can be prepared to provide self aid buddy care. 

"We do have first responders on base to respond to those types of emergencies, but any one of our Airmen may be the actual first responder because they're on scene to see something happen whether it's a major accident, explosion or anything of that nature," Colonel Brown said. 

Colonel Brown also mentioned that during the UCI, there will be some Force Protection Condition changes that will take the base up through higher levels of security. 

"In some cases it'll (FPCON changes) limit our movement and limit how we get in and out of buildings so we'll need to be more responsive to whatever threat may be out there," he said. 

With the upcoming inspection, Colonel Brown also wanted to reiterate to the wing there are certain things that individuals must be in compliance with, which will generate credibility for the Wolf Pack. 

"When we're in compliance where we need to be, it makes it easier to showcase where we are doing things different or smarter," Colonel Brown said. 

Along with ensuring everyone is in compliance with policies and procedures, Colonel Brown also wants to emphasize that safety should be incorporated into all practices. 

"In some cases we may have to slow down to get to the end result faster," he said. "Safety is key in being able to accomplish the mission and we can't afford to lose anyone to a mishap." 

Colonel Brown said he appreciates all of the hard work and dedication the Wolf Pack has put in for the upcoming inspection and that the results of having smarter practices could influence not only Kunsan, but the entire Air Force. 

"Some of the things we're trying to do to work smarter are not just for the Wolf Pack or for me because I have a passion for this," he said. "I look at this for maybe setting the stage for the whole Air Force. When we look at the cuts affecting the Air Force and our situation here at Kunsan, we probably are impacted a lot faster because of our turnover rates. It's important that we highlight some of those things and some of the challenges down at the wing level." 

The "Wolf" said he plans on speaking with the inspectors and ask them to have a broader perspective outside of their functional areas. 

"I'm asking the inspectors to look outside their functional areas and realize that every decision that gets made doesn't just impact their functional area. Decisions could have impacts across the wing and they may or may not be aware of those impacts," he said. "We all need to take a look corporately as an Air Force on how we do things smarter and work within the resources we have allotted to us to be successful."

Wolf Pack FPCON actions, Emergency Management Exercise

The following are tips every Airmen should know

FPCON actions:
* Have a heightened sense of awareness.

* If you see something suspicious, report it to your unit control center.

* Monitor the commander's access channel for updates.

EME tips:
*An EME is an exercise designed to test the Wolf Pack's ability to notify, respond, and recover from a large scale accident or emergency.

* An EME involves the entire Wolf Pack.

* If you see an event or emergency exercise taking place, you are now a participant.

* Act with a sense of urgency.

* Perform self aid and buddy care if you arrive before first responders. Use AFMAN 10-100, the Airman's Manual, as a reference. It is recommended Airmen carry one through the UCI.

*If first responders, who include the fire department, security forces and medical ask you to help with emergency actions, follow instructions and provide assistance.

*Wolf Pack members, not at the scene, will need to avoid the area. Everyone should follow instructions from the Commander's Access Channel and their UCC.

*If your building number or area is designated as a "Shelter in Place," close all doors and windows and do not leave the building.

* If your building number or area is told to "Evacuate," follow your building evacuation plan in an orderly and expeditious manner.

*Always treat the situation as if it were real. Put yourself in role just as if you were in an operational readiness inspection.