Kunsan's "Wolf Pack" tests readiness during week-long exercise

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sonny Cohrs
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 8th Fighter Wing conducted a base exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, July 25 to 29, in which they tested everything from self-aid and buddy care procedures to operating in a chemically-contaminated environment.

The exercise was facilitated by inspectors from the wing's Exercise Evaluation Team. EET prepared a master scenario and then instituted a week-long training environment, allowing the base's new arrivals to experience the infamous operations tempo of the Wolf Pack.

"Doing exercises on Kunsan as compared to other bases gives a more real-world effect, if you will," said Master Sgt. Kerry Dozier, 8th Comptroller Squadron and Wing Staff Agency exercise evaluator. "Everything shuts down as if you were in a real-world [contingency] environment. As a base, I think we did OK given the fact that we have a lot of new people and turnover. A lot of the older people here for the [Operational Readiness Inspection] were able to help out and assist the new ones, and pass the torch in a sense."

The EET's scenarios included a full spectrum of events, keeping the wing fully engaged around the clock as maintainers launched aircraft, security forces defended the base and firefighters responded to a multitude of emergency situations. All the while, agencies across the base demonstrated wartime capabilities required for contingency operations. Airmen also donned mission oriented protective posture suits when simulated chemical weapons posed a simulated threat.

"This is Kunsan Air Base, and we take our mission to heart," said Col. Stephen Williams, 8th FW vice commander. "Every Airman on this base knows our mission is to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north. This is serious business, and I'm confident the Wolf Pack is ready to execute our mission if ever called upon to protect the Republic of Korea."

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