9/27/2023 0 Comments Wolfpack logo south korea![]() ![]() Indeed, during my visit, the 8 th was concurrently conducting Buddy-Wing 15-4 with an element of ROKAF F-16s from the 123 rd TFS, 20 th FW at Seosan as well as hosting the 114 th FW from the South Dakota Air National Guard (SD ANG) as part of a longer term Theater Security Package detachment. This close relationship allows them to rehearse for any scenarios they may encounter during actual combat and to develop procedures and tactics that can be equally applied to other US and Korean forces, as the ability to rapidly mount combined operations at short notice would be critical to mission success in time of combat.Īs their motto suggests, another key mission requirement for the 8 th FW is the ability to “accept follow-on forces” should the need arise and regular exercises and detachments hosted by the 8 th, both large and small, with both Korean and other US forces, ensure that this skill is maintained at a high level as well. The 8 th also has the distinction of being co-located with, and operating alongside the Republic Of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF’s) 111 th FS, of the 38 th FG, with their F-16C/Ds as well and, while each has its own training programs and tasking, they regularly work together to perform all manner of combined operations such as air-to-air, close air support, SEAD etc. Coming under the umbrella of the USAF Pacific Air Force (PACAF), 7 th Air Force, headquartered at Osan, South Korea, the 8 th FW (under the 8 th Operations Group) is made up of two flying squadrons, the 35 th FS (Pantons-Blue) and 80 th FS (Juvats-Yellow), which both fly F-16C/Ds (block 40s), along with the 51 st FW, based at Osan, which operates a squadron each of F-16C/Ds and A-10Cs. Since moving to its current location at Kunsan (or Gunsan), South Korea in 1974, the 8 th has been a key component of US Forces in Korea (alongside their South Korean counterparts) as a counter to the tensions presented by the North Korean regime (The Korean war has never officially ended but, rather, is in a constant state of “cease-fire”, and there have been many small border skirmishes and periods of heightened tensions between the two countries over the years). Robin Olds, that the wing’s prowess with the F-4 Phantom in air to air combat against the North Vietnamese MiGs earned them the nick-name of “The Wolfpack”, which has proudly remained with them ever since and is even reflected in the tail code worn by its aircraft (WP), which is one of the very few in the USAF which does not actually relate to the base or area where they are stationed. It was there, under the leadership of the charismatic Col. ![]() While the unit has played significant roles in both WWII (in the Pacific) and the Korean War, it is probably most well known to many for its operations from Ubon, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. The 8 th FW has a long and proud history, tracing its lineage back to its formation (as the current designation) in Japan in 1948 and, previously as the 8 th Fighter Group, right back to 1931. In early June, Aviation Spotters Online (ASO) had the privilege of visiting the 8 th FW in Korea and getting to see what makes it “tick”. ![]() “Defend the base, Accept follow-on forces, Take the fight north!” This is the unusually succinct motto which guides the daily operations of the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) 8 th Fighter Wing (FW) in South Korea and while it’s probably just a coincidence, the runway even points due north too.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |