80th Fighter Squadron AUDENTES FORTUNA JUVAT!!!!! Change of Command Ceremony DESTROYED 10 June 2016 Kunsan Air Base Republic of Korea 225 17 6 SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Members of his flight saw Loring’s plane take several direct hits from AAA and, they expected he would pull out of his dive and attempt to reach nearby friendly territory. Instead, he continued the attack, altering his course some 45 degrees in a controlled maneuver, and dove directly into the enemy gun posi- Opening Narration tions. Loring’s actions destroyed the enemy positions and allowed the en- trapped infantry to advance at the cost of his own life. After the war ended, on 21 October 1954, the 80th moved from Arrival of the Official Party Suwon, Korea to Kadena, Okinawa where the 80th converted to the F-84 Thunder jet. On 7 August 1956, the Headhunters rejoined the 8th Fighter Posting of the Colors Wing, which had moved to Itazuke. Here the squadron began flying the F-100 Super Sabre. In 1962 the 80th transitioned to the F-105 Thunderchief. The squad- National Anthems ron also performed two combat deployments to Southeast Asia in 1964 and 1965, serving first for two months at Korat RTAB, Thailand and later for two months at Takhli RTAB, Thailand. During this period, 8 TFW/CC, Col Robin Invocation by Chaplain Tisher Olds gave the 8th TFW its nickname of “Wolf Pack.” It has stuck ever since. During the late 1960’s, the Air Force assigned the squadron to the defense of the Republic of Korea. The squadron converted to the F-4 Phantom Remarks by Colonel Seymour in late 1967 and early 1968. On 15 February, 1971, the 80th moved from Yo- kota AB to Kunsan AB, and soon after, the 80th was designated to deactivate. Medal Presentation Fortunately, former “Headhunter” Lt Gen Jay T. “Cock” Robbins, who was Vice Commander of TAC at the time, caught the action and rescued them at the last minute. Instead of fading out, the Headhunters were re-staffed with Remarks by Lieutenant Colonel Gallemore new personnel, primarily from the 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The 391st motto was “AUDENTES FORTUNA JUVAT” which translates from Latin: “Fortune Favors the Bold”. This motto subsequently became the new Final Salute “Headhunters” motto. As the new “Headhunters” were removing their old patches, they would grasp the triangular patch by the upper left hand corner to tear them off. All would tear off except the word “JUVAT”. This caught on Change of Command immediately. The squadron continued flying the F-4 at Kunsan until September 1981, when it received the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In late 2007 through early Remarks by Lieutenant Colonel Crowell 2008, the 80th traded its Block 30 C+ F-16s for Common Configuration Imple- mentation Program (CCIP) F-16s Block 40s from Eielson Air Force Base, First Salute Alaska. Whether flying the legendary P-38 Twin-Tailed Lightning or today's F-16 CCIP Viper, the Squadron personifies tactical fighter excellence. With more than two hundred fifty one (251) air-to-air victories in World War II, Closing Narration/Air Force Song Korea, and Vietnam, making aces is still the squadron standard. Departure of the Official Party Dismissal of Troops Reception at the Loring Club History of the 80th fighter squadron Key personnel The 80th Fighter Squadron was born in the rapid buildup of forces as the United States entered World War II; the Army Air Force constituted the Presiding Officer unit as the 80th Pursuit Squadron on 6 January 1942, less than a month after the Pearl Harbor attack. The 80th became activated four days later at Mitchell Field, New York, where the squadron became part of the 8th Pursuit Group flying the P-39 and P-400. The 80th began combat operations on 22 July 1942, with its forward deployment to Port Moresby, New Guinea. From 6 February to 21 March the Colonel Thomas P. Seymour 80th was equipped the P-38 Lightning during this period due to Captain (later Major) Edward “Porky” Cragg’s aggressive campaigning for the new aircraft. Outgoing Commander The squadron commander, Major Cragg, dubbed the 80th “The Headhunters” after the local headhunter tribes of Papua New Guinea. During the remainder of World War II, the 80th played a part in such operations as the invasion of Cape Gloucester, Hollandia and the campaign in the Philippines. During the assault on Hollandia on 30 and 31 March and 3 and 12 April, the 80th Fighter Squadron shot down 33 enemy aircraft without Lieutenant Colonel John B. Gallemore any losses of their own, making them the first squadron in the Pacific theater to exceed 200 kills. By the end of the war, the 80th downed over 225 enemy air- Incoming Commander craft (the second highest squadron in the theater, and overall second highest twin engine allied fighter squadron in the war). Among the 24 “Headhunter” pilots who became aces were Major Jay T. Robbins, the group's leading ace with 22 confirmed kills, and Major Richard I. Bong with 40 confirmed kills, the American “Ace-of-Aces.” Following WWII, the squadron was deactivated until 20 February Lieutenant Colonel Matthew C. Crowell 1947, when it was once again activated and again assigned to the 8th Fighter Group, and converted from the P-38 to the F-51D Mustang. In August 1948, Commander of Troops the 8th Fighter Wing was formed and activated, and the 8th Fighter Group and its flying squadrons were assigned under the new wing. The 80th began to transition to its first jet aircraft in 1949, trading in its Mustangs for the F-80 Shooting Star. This conversion was completed in 1950, and the squadron des- ignation changed to the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 20 January 1950. North Korea invaded the South on 25 June 1950, and the Headhunters Major Nathanael L. Karrs once again entered combat. A day after the invasion the 80th and the rest of the 8th Fighter Wing provided air defense for the evacuation of Americans Guidon Bearer from Seoul. The 80th served at several different bases during the Korean War, moving to Suwon, Korea after the United Nations pushed back the Chinese offensive. Shortly before the war ended, the squadron converted from the F-80 to the F-86 Sabre. The headhunters earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, as well as ten campaign stream- Technical Sergeant Darrell L. Ramey ers during the Korean War. In addition, one of its pilots earned the nation’s highest military award: On the morning of 22 November 1952, Major Charles J. Loring of the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, on his 51st mission, led a flight of four F-80s in a close support strike against enemy formations near Triangle Hill (which overlooks Sniper Ridge near present day Osan Air Base). 8. June 2010 – June 2011, Student, Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, COLONEL THOMAS P. SEYMOUR Kansas 9. July 2011 – June 2013, Joint Staff Officer, Command Briefer, Crisis Action Team Execu- Colonel Thomas P. Seymour commands the 8th tive Operations Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Officer, Assistant Chief of Current Operations Air Force Branch, Yongsan Army Garrison, Korea. As commander, he is responsible for the Seoul, South Korea conduct of conventional air-to-ground and air-to- 10. July 2013 – October 2013, F-16C transition course, Luke AFB, Ariz. air missions in support of armistice and wartime 11. November 2013 – Present, F-16C Instructor Pilot, Director of Operations, taskings to defend the Republic of Korea. Wing Chief of Inspections, Wing Chief of Safety, 555th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Colonel Seymour received his commission from Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy the United States Air Force Academy in May 1995. He has served as an F-16 Pilot, Instructor Pilot, SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS Weapons Officer, and Operational Test Pilot. He July 2011 – June 2013, Command Briefer, Crisis Action Team Executive Officer, Assistant has operational experience in Southwest Asia and Chief of Current Operations Air Force Branch, Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, South Korea Far East Asia as well as combat tours in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and NORTHERN FLIGHT INFORMATION WATCH. Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: 2100+ He has served as Deputy Chief, Policy and Programs Division in the Headquarters Air Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, and F-16 Force Directorate of Test and Evaluation and as a Legislative Fellow in the office of Sen. John Thune (R-SD). Colonel Seymour also served as the Commander, 85th Test MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS and Evaluation Squadron (TES), Eglin AFB, Florida. Prior to his current assignment, Defense Meritorious Service Medal he was a student at the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylva- Air Force Meritorious Service Medal nia. Colonel Seymour is a Command Pilot with over 2,000 flying hours, the majority of Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters which are in the F-16. Air Force Achievement Medal EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION EDUCATION Second Lieutenant June 2, 1999 1995, Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mechanics, United States Air Force Academy First Lieutenant June 2, 2001 2002, Squadron Officer School (Residence) Captain June 2, 2003 2007, Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence) Major December 1, 2008 2009, Masters, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2014 2012, Air War College (Correspondence) 2015, Army War College (Residence) ASSIGNMENTS 1. Nov 95 - Feb 97, student, undergraduate pilot training, Columbus AFB, Miss. 2. Feb 97 - Nov 97, student, F-16 Formal Training Unit, 62d Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. Nov 97 - Nov 98, Chief of Training, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, Rep.