Lakenheath command chief visits Airmen temporarily assigned to Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The command chief from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, visited Kunsan Air Base Aug. 31 to Sept. 7, expressing her sincere appreciation for the hard work her Airmen are doing alongside the Wolf Pack here.

Airmen from RAF Lakenheath are at Kunsan AB to help the 8th Fighter Wing support the Pacific Air Forces mission.

"As the wing leadership it is our responsibility to do a morale check," said Chief Master Sgt. SaRita Lathan, 48th Fighter Wing command chief. "We want to let them know they aren't forgotten and have our full support."

The chief had an opportunity to visit and watch as her Airmen maintained and launched their F-15 Strike Eagles, as well as, a trip to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, a tour of International Cultureville and Gunsan City, a base tour and a softball game and barbeque to name a few.

"I think it's very important the Airmen see their leadership here," she said. "It shows them we're willing to come and sacrifice our weekend just as they are sacrificing theirs."

Right in line with the chief, Staff Sgt. Jacob Mitchell, 494th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, said he thought it's important for his leadership to see their mission away from home.

"Especially over a holiday weekend," Mitchell said. "Her visit really shows us leadership cares about us too. It makes a statement to all of us out here on the flight line that we're equally important to the overall mission."

At the Wolf Pack, that overall mission Mitchell referred to is one all at Kunsan, whether TDY or stationed here get to know very well.

"I'm very thankful for the way the 8th Fighter Wing has made us feel like a part of this special family," the chief said. "Our fighter wing has done an awesome job here working alongside our counterparts in the Wolf Pack. The 8th FW has a strong history of success and paired with our warriors from Lakenheath, our two premiere fighter wings are unstoppable."

The "Liberty Warriors" are scheduled to depart later this month, but will be followed by another wing and crew to fulfill Kunsan's strategic mission on the peninsula.

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