Historical deployment comes to conclusion

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  This week marks the end of a historical reunion of "Wolf Pack" units as the 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron redeploys back to their home, after completing a successful four month rotation here. 

The 555th FS, one of two fighter squadrons of the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, has lineage to the "Wolf Pack" dating back to 1966 when the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Ubon Air Base, Thailand, to join the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. 

Approximately 300 Airmen and 18 F-16 "Vipers" arrived here in June marking the first time a U.S. Air Forces in Europe unit deployed to a Pacific Air Forces unit as part of an Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment. 

"Everyone was excited to be reunited with the 8th Fighter Wing due to the history of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron and General Robin Olds," said Lt. Col. Lance Landrum, 555th EFS director of operations. General Olds was the wing commander who began calling his unit the "Wolf Pack." "There is a war fighting spirit here that is mission focused, that is non-comparable to other wings around the Air Force, and it was good to be apart of the wing." 

Colonel Landrum said becoming fully integrated into the wing didn't come without growing pains, but those feelings didn't last long as "senior leadership embraced the unit giving us the opportunity to participate, voice our opinions and had a sincere attitude to make us a part of the wing." 

Within two weeks of the arrival of all the aircraft from a Red Flag exercise in Alaska, the unit had to perform initial local condition training, which was accomplished within the first sortie flown in preparation for a peninsula wide operational readiness exercise. Pilots had to be acquainted with new air space and operation plans, which the colonel said only helps the pilots with becoming better aviators in the long run. 

"As a theater security package we deployed to provide peace and stability to the region," the colonel said. "It was important to participate in the exercise to show any adversaries that we are not turning our back on them, but instead have a strong force here." 

During the units deployment to Kunsan, the European based unit logged 1,072 sorties and more than 1,460 hours of flying with an almost 85 percent mission capable rate. 

The unit was involved in all facets of the wing's mission by participating in a large force exercise, load competition, turkey shoot, intramural sports, volunteer opportunities within the local community and cultural events and tours through the services squadron. Many times the unit 'showed up' the host by winning the event. During the turkey shoot they won by winning three of the four graded categories and completed a perfect weapons load during the quarterly competition. 

For 8th Fighter Wing commander Col. CQ "Wolf" Brown the departure of the "Triple Nickel" is bitter sweet. The unit arrived within weeks of the colonel taking command of the wing. 

"Having the 'Triple Nickel' back at the 'Wolf Pack' has been an honor that I hold in high esteem," Colonel Brown said. "The history of our units is legendary across our Air Force and to be able command here at this time is truly a professional highlight. 

"The men and women of Aviano should be proud of their achievements while being a member of the Kunsan family. They have left their mark just like every other Airman and they will be missed by the Wolf Pack."