Mustang CC coins Wolf Pack Airmen for exceptional work

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Hines
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing commander from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, coined 13 Wolf Pack Airmen here, April 6, as a show of appreciation for hard work displayed in the events following an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crash near Kunsan Air Base, ROK, March 21.

The F-16, assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan, was on a routine training mission when it crashed during the afternoon hours at the same time Kunsan AB was conducting an operational readiness inspection.

The Wolf Pack, being the closest Air Force base to the incident, quickly responded to the scene with support from the Republic of Korea Air Force, Army and local authorities who provided additional security and resources for recovery efforts.

"I know that there is only 13 of you here ... that I'm going to get the opportunity to coin, but this was a total Wolf Pack effort," said McKenzie.

"I am astounded," he said, referring to the quick, safe and thorough attention given to the recovery of the pilot, the aircraft and clean-up of the farm land where the crash happened.

Before McKenzie coined the Airmen during a small gathering at the Loring Club on base, the 51st Mustang commander also visited with ROKAF and ROK Army forces, thanking them for their exemplary support on that day and in the days following.

"It's all about teamwork," he said, "I just wanted the opportunity to come down here and say thank you."

Both Kunsan and Osan Air Base will be inspected by Pacific Air Force Inspector General teams during April as part of a Combined Unit Inspection, which evaluates how units handle emergency situations such as aircraft accidents.

The cause of the crash is still currently under investigation.