This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2015) |
8th Fighter Wing | |
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Active | 1948–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Tactical Fighter |
Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea |
Nickname(s) | Wolf Pack |
Engagements | Korean War(1950–1953) War in Vietnam (1965–1973) |
Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Colonel Peter Kasarskis |
Vice Commander | Colonel Jason Monaco |
Command Chief | Chief Master Sergeant Nathan Chrestensen |
Notable commanders | William W. Momyer Chesley G. Peterson Robin Olds Patrick Gamble Mark Welsh Gary North Philip M. Breedlove Burton Field Robin Rand Charles Q. Brown Jr. John L. Dolan E. Daniel Cherry |
Insignia | |
8th Fighter Wing emblem (approved 3 July 1952)[1] | |
Tail Code | WP |
The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force. Seventh Air Force falls under Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The Wing's 8th Operations Group is the successor of the 8th Pursuit Group, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II.
Established in Japan after World War II in 1948, the wing flew combat missions throughout the Korean War. Redesignated the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1958, it remained in Japan until 1964. After a year in California, it moved to Southeast Asia, where its F-4 Phantom II crews earned the nicknames "MiG killers" and "bridge busters". In 1974 the wing relocated to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, where it was redesignated the 8th Fighter Wing in 1992.