Wolf Pack evaluates self for last time before ORI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  As part of the last opportunity to practice its wartime mission prior to April's Operational Readiness Inspection, the Wolf Pack completed its third exercise entitled 'Foal Eagle 07-03' March 22 through 31.
 
  Known as an operational readiness exercise, or ORE, the 8th Fighter Wing, together with its neighbor to the north, the 51st FW at Osan AB, fought side-by-side to practice for the upcoming ORIs both bases face. 

  Currently, both Kunsan and Osan will be inspected April 16 through 20 . 

  "I think we did exactly what we were looking for which was to do a dry run for the ORI. We did very well," Col. Jeff 'Wolf' Lofgren, 8th FW commander said. "We are definitely ready for the ORI ... the wing is at the point of bursting. They want the IG to show up so they can be tested." 

  For those who 'fought' in it, the March exercise was different than many in the past as the generation of aircraft began March 22 with the final task evaluation completed on March 31, totaling seven days. Compared with many typical four to five day exercises, Wolf Pack members, according to wing exercise and evaluation officials, were tested just a little more this time to ensure they've got the skills they need down. 

  In a mass e-mail sent to all Seventh Air Force Airmen by the commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, wrote that members should be proud of what they have accomplished.
He later went on to write that exercises serve as a fantastic learning experience and he challenged members to take a careful note of the lessons they had learned and to incorporate those lesson into daily operations. 

  With Foal Eagle past, the wing now looks to April 13: the day the bulk of Pacific Air Force inspectors arrive for the ORI evaluation. That fact in mind, the Wolf said he was confident the wing was ready to show the inspectors what the Wolf Pack is all about. 

  "We know what the mission is here and the key if for each of us is to stay within our own lane, do the basics, know the '101' of our job and do it well," the Col. Lofgren said. "We should all stay focused on that. Don't let the pressures of everything else going on deviate from doing the right thing. Abide by the rules that are out there and that we all understand and it will be awesome." 

  The Wolf Pack has exercised its wartime mission with week-long exercises six times since last summer.