Senior Airman Aaron pulls the slack from a fire hose while fighting a fire during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. After putting out the fire, firefighters continued a sweep inside to check for any people still in the building. Strayhorn is an 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Senior Airman Aaron Strayhorn, left, and Staff Sgt. Rodger Halle, don their masks after discovering a building fire during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. The scenario allowed the exercise evaluation team to observe the evacuees and firefighters response to the fire. Strayhorn and Halle are 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Staff Sgt. Jarrod Berry, right, asks Senior Airman Aaron Strayhorn, and Staff Sgt. Rodger Halle, how they would get into the cipher-locked room to check for people during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. After talking with their headquarters, the team continued through the rest of the building checking for anyone left inside. Berry is an 8th Civil Engineer Squadron exercise evaluation team member, while Strayhorn and Halle are 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Senior Airman Vasiliy Zorin guides a missile toward an F-16 Fighting Falcon as Senior Airman Vincent Gleffe drives a bomb lift truck during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. The crew worked quickly to make the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat ready for the generation. Zorin and Gleffe are 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Senior Airman Vincent Gleffe places fins on a missile during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. They worked quickly to ensure F-16 Fighting Falcons were combat-ready. Gleffe is assigned to the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Airman 1st Class Jose Corral-Deleon inspects the F-16 Fighting Falcon before its departure during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. The Airmen double checked the jet to guarantee it was error free before handing it over to the pilots. Corral-Deleon is assigned to the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Staff Sgt. Jason Aeillo takes off a worn braking system from a bomb-lift truck during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. Replacing the worn braking system helps keep the truck from crashing while carrying a missile aboard. Aeillo is an aerospace ground equipment craftsman assigned to the 8th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Staff Sgt. Gerald Yuhas tightens a new braking system onto an MJ-1 bomb-lift truck during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2013. Replacing the worn braking system helps prevent any mishaps while the truck is carrying a missile aboard. Yuhas is an aerospace ground equipment journeyman assigned to the 8th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marcus Morris)
Firefighters from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron respond to a simulated fire during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 15, 2012. The simulated fire tested the firefighters’ ability to fight a fire and search for wounded following a mortar attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler/Released)
An 8th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) fire engine is moved into position in order to respond to a simulated fire during exercise Beverly Midnight 13-1 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 15, 2013. Firefighters with the 8th CES were assessed on their ability and readiness to respond to a fire following a simulated attack and on how effectively they searched for possible wounded personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler/Released)
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Emerson and Senior Airman Kody Branson, both 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, put out a simulated fire while surrounded by smoke at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 15, 2012. This was an exercise scenario for Beverly Midnight 13-1, which showcased the speed and effectiveness of Kunsan firefighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler/Released)
Senior Airman Kody Branson, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, searches the base theater following a simulated mortar attack at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 15, 2012. Firefighters responded to a fire at the theater and searched the building for possible casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler/Released)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
1/14/2013 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Wolf Pack kicked off Beverly Midnight 13-1 here Jan. 13 in preparation for the upcoming Combined Unit Inspection in April.
As the first exercise of 2013, it will set the pace for how both Kunsan and Osan Air Base will conduct exercises in preparation for visits from the Pacific Air Forces' Inspector General team in just a couple months.
At Kunsan, the emphasis is on ensuring the Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 8th Fighter Wing are ready to "Defend the Base, Accept Follow-On Forces and Take the Fight North."
"Our fighter wing with two F-16 squadrons and a myriad of base support agencies conducts a full spectrum of missions providing for the defense of the Republic of Korea," said Col. John W. Pearse, 8th FW commander. "We are prepared for any contingency, and we have all trained diligently for this moment."
Bases here on the Korean peninsula are unique in the way they exercise - Kunsan and Osan both practice to the fullest of their capabilities, simulating practically nothing. This provides the best possible training environment for Airmen. Much of the training focuses on preparing for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training.
Airmen conduct 24-hour operations for nearly a week as they train for any possible scenario. Typical exercise injects include everything from self-aid and buddy care situations to decontaminating personnel. It takes a coordinated effort between every unit on base to make sure the mission happens.
Aircraft generation is one of the most important parts of the exercise, and each unit plays a role in making sure that happens. Medical personnel are on standby ready to take care of any injuries or emergencies. The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron oversees contamination control and shelter management among other things.
At the front line, though, are the maintainers on the flightline.
"During both real-world and exercise operations, our maintainers are constantly working to make sure our F-16s are combat-ready," said Lt. Col. Michael Miles, 8th Maintenance Group deputy commander. "We practice like we fight so that when we 'Take the Fight North,' there will be no disruption in how we conduct our wartime mission. Aircraft maintainers make that mission possible."
In the end, it's about getting the mission done while making clear the Air Force's intentions.
"Wolf Pack Airmen are here at the request of the Republic of Korea government. Our role is essential to ensuring peace and stability in the region," said Pearse. "Together, with our joint U.S. partners and the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, we will ensure a robust defense of the Republic of Korea."