Wolf rallies wing during 'Wolf Call'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
With guns blazing (literally), forklifts hauling equipment and an afterburner-fly by, the 8th Fighter Wing commander gave his final rally speech before the wing's Operational Readiness Inspection. 

  Col. Jeff "Wolf" Lofgren, donning individual protective equipment and a squad assault weapons, made his entrance to a crowd of more than 1,500 Wolf Pack members to deliver the speech. 

  "Wolf Pack, I'm so proud of what you do each and every day," he said. "All of our training has come down to this moment. I have complete faith in your abilities." 

  The commanders call speech, or "Wolf Call" as it's known to base personnel, culminates a total of six, week-long exercises and several Wolf War Days since he took command in May 2006. Since then, Wolf Pack members have vigorously trained on ability to survive and operate, or 'ATSO' as well as self-aid buddy care, better known as 'SABC' training. 

  Together with knowing each member's war time mission, members of this wing have prepared to react and respond to chemical attacks on the base as well as how to respond to and put down enemy special forces 'coyote' attacks. 

  Airman 1st Class Matthew Bray, 8th Communications Squadron systems support analyst, said "any chance to hear from the Wolf is awesome." 

  "The Wolf is the big guy on base and we don't get a chance to see him too often," Airman Bray said. "But the speech was motivating. I was glad I didn't miss it." 

  Once the Wolf's address to the crowd was through, he thanked each Wolf Pack member with barbecued hamburgers and a hotdogs with all the fixings. 

  "This is a small token of my thanks ... thanks for all you do," Col. Lofgren said. 

  The ORI is slated to kick off this weekend.