USFK CSM visits with the Wolf Pack

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Taylor Curry
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  "What are the basics?" was just one of many questions U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell, U.S. Forces Korea command sergeant major, would ask Airmen as he interacted with them during his visit with the Wolf Pack March 23 and 24.

Throughout his visit, Troxell met with Kunsan Airmen and saw how they contribute to deterring aggression on the Korean Peninsula while remaining ready to fight tonight.

Upon arrival to Kunsan AB, Troxell immediately immersed himself with the various units within the Pack. First, he toured facilities within the 8th Medical Group to meet with Airmen working in the war reserve material warehouse and even donned the hazardous material protection suit at the bioenvironmental engineering section.

"I was surprised that morning when I heard I would be greeting CSM Troxell; it really was an honor," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Britanni McKnight, 8th Medical Operations Squadron dental technician. "Not only greeting him, but being recognized by him for outstanding performance in my unit was a privilege."

Following the medical group, he visited Airmen at the 8th Maintenance Squadron to see how exceptionally well Wolf Pack maintainers are keeping the F-16 Fighting Falcon fit to fly.

Throughout the remainder of the day, Troxell also visited the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protection equipment warehouse and the 8th Communications Squadron tech control facility.

Troxell started day two of his visit at the 8th Force Support Squadron's O'Malley Dining Facility with 30 enlisted Airmen while enjoying a hot meal to begin the day.

"One major theme I took away from CSM Troxell's discussion was how we need to work on better communication between the generation gap of Airmen and leadership in order to get the tasks at hand accomplished," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Velligan, 8th Air Maintenance Squadron F-16 specialist expeditor. "Another great point he made was that we must have a growing need to work bi-laterally with other branches to learn from each other's procedures and to help the other work more efficiently in the 'do more with less' military force we are today."

Interoperability was a key topic during Troxell's conversation with Airmen at the breakfast.

"We will improve communications while working with our Republic of Korea Air Force brothers and sisters," he said. "Communicating is key to the mission here, so I want all of us to be comfortable with discomfort. Every one of you is an integral part of the USFK operation."

After breakfast, Troxell visited the 8th Operations Group air traffic control team for a tour of the tower. Troxell also recognized U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stefan Hulsey for his achievement of earning Pacific Air Forces Air Traffic Controller of the Year Award.

To close out his visit, Troxell held an all call at the base theater where he spoke to Airmen about better understanding the USFK mission and opened the floor for comments. He mentioned how to be active communicators as leaders and techniques on behavior modification.

"We, as leaders, must put passion and discipline on a scale, then balance it in the middle when it comes to leadership," Troxell said. "When our younger enlisted get in trouble, it's because we are not leading."

Troxell mentioned that this is his fourth time visiting Kunsan, and every time he visits here, it only gets better.

"We need to get back to the basics," he reiterated. "Ensuring you stay true to your core values is the first step. Also being effectively trained in your career field is extremely important if we're going to be ready for combat."

Troxell went on to explain how captivated he is to serve with the Airmen at Kunsan AB.

"I'm extremely impressed with the readiness, discipline, moral, and comradery the Wolf Pack displays," he said. "The laser-focus of the leadership here validates to me that Kunsan is ready to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north."