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ROK-U.S. share wingman attitude

  • Published
  • By U.S. Forces Korea Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Lt. Gen. Stephen Wood, deputy commander of United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea and commander of 7th Air Force, paid a visit to the Wolf Pack here March 8. He was here to show Gen. Kim, Sung Il, Republic of Korea Air Force chief of staff, a couple of the Air Force's premier fighter aircraft. 

"Since the F-117s are here training with the Wolf Pack, I thought this would be a great opportunity to provide General Kim with an up close look at the stealth fighter as well as the F-16," General Wood said. 

The F-117s are assigned to the 49th Fighter Wing out of Holloman AFB, N.M., but are currently deployed to Kunsan as part of the newly-designated 9th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, becoming the third flying squadron under command of the 8th Fighter Wing. 

The day's events began at an F-117 Nighthawk static display where Lt. Col. Kenneth Tatum, 9th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, provided General Kim with an insight on the unique aspects of the stealth fighter. Afterwards Colonel Tatum presented General Kim with a gift on behalf of the Airmen assigned to the 49th FW and the 9th EFS. 

The generals next stopped to view a static display of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, where Col. Jeffrey "Wolf" Lofgren, 8th FW commander, gave General Kim the rundown on the capabilities of the F-16. 

After viewing the display aircraft on the flightline, General Kim and General Wood visited the 35th Fighter Squadron, where they received mission briefs and spoke with members of the 8th FW and 9th EFS. After the briefing everyone agreed the ROK-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, with the visit further cementing those ties. 

"The ROK and U.S. Air Force interest and enthusiasm over the air component mission and the frontline fighter aircraft here at Kunsan, highlights the professionalism of both the U.S. and ROK Airmen," stated General Wood. 

He added, "Although the aircraft on display are impressive, I'm more impressed with the combat wingman attitude of our great Combined Air Force Team!"