Gov. Scott Walker greets Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 16. Walker visited Wisconsin Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing Airmen deployed as part of a Theater Security Package and gained a greater understanding of the Wolf Pack’s mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — Gov. Scott Walker and Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, visited Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 16 to show support for the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing Airmen currently deployed to Kunsan.
Dunbar arrived a day prior to Walker and toured the base, familiarizing himself with the mission of the Wolf Pack and the integration between Airmen from Kunsan and the Air National Guard. While here, he received a mission briefing from Col. David “Wolf” Shoemaker, 8th Fighter Wing commander and viewed a security forces demonstration before sitting down with 115th Fighter Wing Airmen for lunch.
“It’s an honor to have our Wisconsin Air National Guard serving here,” Dunbar said. “It really shows that the Air Force is one team, one fight.”
Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Safer, the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s senior enlisted advisor, Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin‘s adjutant general (middle), and Gov. Scott Walker wear traditional Wolf Pack jerseys presented by 115th Fighter Wing leadership at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 16. Walker and Wisconsin Air National Guard leadership visited Airmen from the 115th Fighter Wing deployed to Kunsan for a 4-month rotation as part of a Theater Security Package, which helps to maintain regional security and stability. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
The visit recognized multiple Airmen from the 115th Fighter Wing for their hard work and sacrifices made while serving here as part of a Theater Security Package (TSP), which is a routine deployment of additional fighter squadrons and supporting personnel and equipment that bolster U.S. forces across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region on a rotating basis.
Walker joined Dunbar Sept. 16, to visit the Airmen of the 115th supporting Kunsan and the mission of the TSP.
“Taking the time to see our troops in action while in the region was a priority of mine,” Walker said. “It’s important for our Wisconsin guardsmen to know that we support them, are thinking of them and that we understand the vital role they fulfill here at Kunsan.”
Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, and Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Safer, the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s senior enlisted advisor, with Airmen from the 115th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 15. Dunbar and Safer visited the 115th Fighter Wing Airmen deployed to Kunsan for a 4-month rotation as part of a Theater Security Package, which helps maintain regional security and stability. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
As part of his visit, Walker was also able to view the base defense component of that mission through a security forces demonstration, riding in a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle and firing blank rounds out of a .50 caliber machine gun. Before departing Kunsan, 115th Fighter Wing leadership — with the support of 8th Fighter Wing leadership — performed an honored tradition of the Wolf Pack by presenting Walker and Dunbar with traditional Kunsan jerseys, and the governor offered a few words.
“I can’t say thank you enough for the good work that you all are doing here. It’s really a great effort, and we appreciate it,” Walker said. “We have the next generation of great leaders here. Like those who came home before you and those who made that ultimate sacrifice, we can’t say thank you enough.”
The 115th Fighte Wing will continue to serve at Kunsan through November, supporting U.S. Pacific Command’s force posture and underscoring the United States’ commitment to regional security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, briefs a group of Airmen from the 176th Air Expeditionary Maintenance Unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 15. Airmen from the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing are deployed to Kunsan for a 4-month rotation as part of a Theater Security Package, which helps to maintain a deterrent against threats to regional security and stability. Dunbar visited Kunsan to see how the Airmen from the 115th Fighter Wing help enhance 8th Fighter Wing Airmen’s ability to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin