KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Wolf Pack members, new and old, tested their combat readiness during Exercise Beverly Midnight 16-1 as the 8th Fighter Wing provided realistic scenarios for Airmen to enhance their skills to employ airpower to deter aggression and defend the Republic of Korea.
The high ops tempo combined with challenging exercise conditions ensured Wolf Pack Airmen are able to execute contingency operations while building confidence and unit cohesion.
“This is as close as we get to simulating combat operations,” said Capt. Phillip Wilson, 80th Fighter Squadron b-flight commander.
During these combat exercise scenarios, training to launch and recover aircraft in simulated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environments is paramount to generating sorties.
“One of the greatest satisfactions of flying is getting a chance to see everything come together from training,” said 1st Lt. Dane Lannon, 35th Fighter Squadron pilot. “We also see how powerful the training can make us--it’s not just about the pilots, it’s about the maintainers and how great it is to see them be able to put lines out, especially with injects.”
As the scenarios play out, maintainers complete a lengthy list of tasks to make sure the jets are ready to fly, fight and win.
“Some shifts are longer than others, but we get the jets in the sky and ‘crush’em’ every day,” said Senior Airman Brandon Brantmeier, 80th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief.
While jets are readied, pilots pre-brief on the upcoming mission. Maintenance checks are completed, pilots step to the aircraft, conduct a walk-around and strap in for the upcoming flight.
The cockpit slowly seals shut with a click, closely followed by an alarm sound, indicating the hardened aircraft shelter doors are opening.
“This is the closest relationship between two career fields in the Air Force,” said Staff Sgt. John Dunlap, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief. “A lot of trust has to be established, which makes it very rewarding.”
With a quick salute from the crew chief, the aircraft taxis out and heads to the flight line where it will soon depart to the waiting sky.
“We are at the tip of the spear here at the Pack,” Wilson said. “That is never more apparent than when we launch sorties during an exercise. The possibility that we may be called upon to combat real enemy aggressors at any moment makes every exercise sortie that much more exhilarating.”
As the door closes, the sound of the engine weakens, and the maintainers know that their hard work is vital to the pilot fulfilling the assigned mission.
“Every time we launch our F-16s, we must be prepared to make split-second tactical decisions.” Lannon said. “We take to the skies knowing that heavy responsibility protects the lives of our Wolf Pack brethren and the lives of 50 million people on the peninsula.”