Spotlight!
Kusan Pride of the Pack: Staff Sgt. Erik Ortizpride of the pack
By
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs August 17, 2025
Senior Airman Karissa Dick
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs August 17, 2025
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Erik Ortiz, 8th Maintenance Group lead crew chief, poses for a photo in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 15, 2025. Ortiz was chosen as the 8th Fighter Wing’s Pride of the Pack for the week of August 11-15 for his integral role in reestablishing Kunsan’s integrated combat turnaround program. ( (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karissa Dick)
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Staff Sgt. Erik Ortiz, a native of San Antonio, Texas, and 8th Maintenance Group lead crew chief, was awarded the 8th Fighter Wing’s Pride of the Pack for the week of Aug. 11-15 for his integral role in reestablishing Kunsan’s integrated combat turnaround program.
Ortiz led four “hot” training events, certifying 12 personnel on ICTs and expanding the number of qualified crews from five to 14 in under two weeks, nearly tripling capability ahead of the timeline projected by 8th MXG leadership.
In addition, Ortiz coordinated 32 hours of proficiency load training by volunteering himself and his crew for extended duty hours. His leadership ensured zero missed training events and directly resulted in a 36% increase in the 35th Fighter Generation Squadron’s rapid reload capabilities.
Thank you Staff Sgt. Ortiz for your outstanding leadership and dedication to the Wolf Pack mission. Congratulations on being this week’s Pride of the Pack!