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Wolf Pack History

THE HISTORY OF THE WOLF PACK RUNS DEEP! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS! The 8th Fighter Wing also known as the Wolf Pack has an illustrious and storied history. That heritage starts with the historic 8th Fighter Group which was founded in 1923. During World War II, there were three squadrons attached to the 8th Fighter Group; the 35th Pursuit Squadron, 36th Pursuit Squadron and 80th Pursuit Squadron. They operated out of New Guinea and Australia and played a key role in the defense of Australia, earning the group its first Distinguished Unit Citation. The 8th Fighter Group was officially absorbed into the newly activated 8th Fighter Wing in 1948. The 8th Fighter Group would become the 8th Operations Group and the wing would inherit all of the group’s achievements. Once the Korean War started in 1950, the wing designation changed to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing. During this time, the wing flew numerous aircraft including the F-80 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, F-51 Mustang and F-82 Twin Mustang. Throughout the war, the wing generally conducted air-to-ground operations but made history by scoring the U.S. Air Force’s first ever confirmed kills from jet aircraft with the F-80. Among one of the greatest feats during the Korean War, Major Charles Loring Jr. intentionally dove his crippled F-80 Shooting Star into an enemy anti-aircraft site on Sniper Ridge in 1952. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The Vietnam War brought the birth of the “Wolf Pack.” The newly designated, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing now stationed at Ubon Airfield, Thailand was led by Colonel Robin Olds. He helped make the “Wolf Pack” moniker famous during Operation Bolo which eliminated half of the North Vietnamese MiG-21 aircraft inventory. The Wolf Pack continued to make a name for themselves during the Vietnam War as the first to use laser-guided bombs. The “Dragon’s Jaw,” was a heavily defended bridge and key supply line for the North Vietnamese. The bridge survived hundreds of attacks by U.S. forces for almost 8 years. The Wolf Pack finally crippled the “Dragon’s Jaw,” for good in 1972 using precision-guided bombs. The Doumer Bridge was another key supply line which survived attacks for almost 6 years. This bridge also eventually fell to the Wolf Pack and its laser-guided bombs. The wing’s skills were put on display throughout the war. None maybe more so, than during “Pardo’s Push.” Captain Bob Pardo was on a mission to attack a steel mill in North Vietnam. He and his wingman took heavy anti-aircraft fire severely damaging their F-4 Phantoms. His wingman lost most of his fuel during the attack and could no longer get out of enemy territory and into Laos. Pardo had his wingman lower the tail hook on his F-4 while Pardo positioned his aircraft behind his wingman. He pushed his wingman’s F-4, 88 miles until they finally were able to safely eject and then evade capture in Laos. Pardo would be awarded the Silver Star. By the end of the Vietnam War, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing moved to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea where it operates to this day. These types of stories and feats dot the vast landscape and history of the 8th Fighter Wing. The Wolf Pack continues to play a critical role in the Pacific and in the defense of the United States of America and her allies. Today, countless individuals all over the world continue to hold admiration and respect for the Wolf Pack story. --------------------------------------------------------- BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE! The Kunsan Air Base channel brings you the latest insights from the United States Air Force's mission in the Republic of Korea. Visit our channel for in-depth and extended coverage on military events and missions at Kunsan Air Base: http://bit.ly/KunsanAirBase Website: https://www.kunsan.af.mil/ Facebook:   / kunsanairbase   Instagram:   / kunsanairba.  . Credit: Staff Sgt. Anthony Hetlage