Pacific Air Forces boss Gen. Howie Chandler on Nov. 10 relieved Col. Bryan Bearden of his duties as commander of the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea. A Nov. 10 release cited the reason given by Chandler as “duty performance factors.” Bearden, who had led the Wolf Pack wing since May 2008, will receive a new assignment outside Korea, according to the release. Chandler has named Col. Jerry Harris, who has been serving as 13th Air Force director of operations at Hickam AB, Hawaii, to take command at Kunsan.
Dozens of fighter jets gathered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last week to kick off one of the service’s biggest air combat exercises despite the government shutdown. More than 50 aircraft and 500 personnel are participating in Checkered Flag 26-1.
