Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, Seventh Air Force commander, presents the ceremonial guidon to Col. John Gallemore during the 8th Fighter Wing change of command at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 1, 2021. Col. John Gallemore, 8th FW incoming commander, assumed command of the 8th FW from the outgoing commander, Col. Christopher Hammond. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mya M. Crosby ()
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Col. John B. Gallemore, 8th Fighter Wing incoming commander, assumed command of the 8th Fighter Wing from the outgoing commander, Col. Christopher B. Hammond, during their change of command ceremony at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 1.
Gallemore, formerly the 57th Operations Group commander, Nellis AFB, Nevada, previously served as Thunderbird 3 and Right Wing, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, and 80th Fighter Squadron commander, Kunsan AB, before becoming Wolf 61 at the Wolf Pack.
“I am humbled beyond words to be given this chance to lead the Wolf Pack,” Gallemore said. “I can’t wait to get started. I am truly humbled and honored to have the privilege of serving alongside each and every one of you here at Kunsan Air Base.”
In addition to Gallemore and Hammond, Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, Seventh Air Force commander and the presiding officer of the ceremony, also served as the 8th FW commander - Wolf 51.
“It’s not lost on any of us the uniqueness of having three Wolves on the stage together,” Hammond said. “It’s a pretty momentous moment.”
The three officers spent years commanding under the Seventh Air Force priorities, with strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance being one of them.
“Today is so special and meaningful because it reminds me of why we serve in Korea,” Pleus said. “For seven decades the ROK and U.S. alliance has stood steadfast and continues to everyday. A fundamental piece of that is our ironclad alliance.”
Shoulder-to-shoulder teamwork not only happens between coalition partners, but within the Wolf Pack, as well. Through COVID-19 quarantines and restrictions, and extreme weather such as monsoons and blizzard storms, the Wolf Pack continued to prevail and get after the mission.
“A year ago, I challenged the Wolf Pack to be ready,” Hammond said. “To be ready to be what the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and the world needs us to be, and that’s being second to no one in the Indo-Pacific Command or on the face of the earth for that matter.
“You rose to that challenge and exceeded every expectation, everyday, as a team and that is the legacy we leave behind as our contribution to the Wolf Pack heritage. I applaud our leaders, Airmen and Soldiers for all they’ve accomplished this year. Thank you for letting me be your Wolf and for letting me, Wolf 2 and Wolf Chief serve you this class. God bless the Wolf Pack and God Bless America.”
