Kunsan hosts Wisconsin Governor, adjutant general

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Honorable Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, visited Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, September 16, 2017, to show support for the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing Airmen who are 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 FW commander and viewed a security forces demonstration before sitting down with 115th FW Airmen for lunch.

“It’s an honor to have our Wisconsin Air National Guard serving here,” said Dunbar. “It really shows that the Air Force is one team, one fight.”

The visit recognized multiple Airmen from the 115th FW for their hard work and sacrifices made while serving here as part of a Theater Security Package, 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.

Governor 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."

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 FW leadership, with the support of 8th FW 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,” said Walker. “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 FW will continue to serve at Kunsan through November 2017, 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.