KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 18, for an in-depth look at the 8th Fighter Wing mission and to provide Wolf Pack Airmen insight into the future of PACAF.
During his visit Brown learned about Kunsan’s newest capabilities including the Rapid Airfield Damage Assessment System and a hardened aircraft shelter construction project. In addition, he learned about the significant infrastructure upgrades to Kunsan, the development of the surrounding areas and emphasized the importance of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“The Indo-Pacific is the priority theater,” said Brown. “We need to focus on what’s going on here so we’re prepared to fight tonight, next week and next decade.”
In addition to Brown, his spouse, Sharene Brown, and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Johnson, PACAF command chief, visited Kunsan as part of a three-day visit to the Peninsula, including bilateral engagements with Republic of Korea key defense and military leaders, a visit to the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2019, and stops at Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys to visit with Airmen and families.
While at Kunsan, Brown and Johnson took the opportunity to speak with Airmen during an all-call where they discussed officer talent management, Air Force reenlistment changes and the importance of space and cyberspace readiness. The PACAF leaders also emphasized the importance of the role Wolf Pack Airmen play in ensuring regional security in conjunction with the Republic of Korea Air Force.
PACAF is responsible for delivering agile air, space and cyberspace capabilities in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s objectives while uniting allies and partners to enhance regional stability. Brown and Johnson met with ROKAF’s 38th Fighter Group leaders during their visit to discover more about the unique and thriving partnership between ROKAF and the 8th FW.
“There are so few opportunities for us to meet with General Brown or any four star general, so this has been an unforgettable experience for me,” said ROKAF Col. Kang, Keun-Shin, 38th FG commander. “We were able to share our feelings on the partnership between the 38th FG and the 8th FW. We have such a strong alliance with our U.S. Air Force partners stationed here.”
Brown was stationed at Kunsan from April 1987 to October 1988 as a first lieutenant and then again from May 2007 to May 2008, where he led the Wolf Pack as “Wolf 46.” Today, he commands the largest area of responsibility in the world, spread over half the globe supporting more than 46,000 Airmen serving principally in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam.
“Across the command, we have flown 32,000 sorties and executed 54 different exercises; 29 of which were led by PACAF Airmen,” Brown said. “Our engagement is important and we need to continue to focus on agile combat employment and how we are light, lean and ready to fight.”
During Mrs. Brown’s visit, she learned about Kunsan resiliency programs and met with Wolf Pack first sergeants to hear about the unique aspects of life at Kunsan, as an unaccompanied location.