Since the early days of World War II, the will to win has been an unmatched factor for the pilots of the 25th Fighter Squadron. Whether flying over the Himalayan Mountains in the 1940s or staying mission-ready today, the Korean Peninsula's premier close air support fighter squadron known as the ''Assam Draggins'' carry on a legacy that epitomizes their Korean motto, ''Pil Sung,'' or ''Certain Victory.''
Now, the Sons of Pil Sung look to add another victory to the win column by persevering through the COVID-19 global pandemic. With COVID-19 mitigation measures affecting many things, they have not stopped the squadron from being ''Fight Tonight'' ready.
''The 'always ready' mindset reminds us that no matter what is going on, we must always be ready to perform our job and 'Attack!''' said Air Force 1st Lt. Matthew Dorsey, a pilot with the 25th Fighter Squadron. ''It also emphasizes the importance of following the applicable mitigation measures to ensure that we keep ourselves healthy, and everyone we come in contact with is safe.
''The biggest reward of our sustained operations through COVID-19 has been taking the A-10s to the Pil Sung range and shooting the gun,'' Dorsey continued. ''There isn't a better sound than hearing the A-10 cannon's 'Brrrrrtttttt' after you spent all weekend social distancing. The professionalism and expertise in the squadron has sustained our operations and allowed us to be flexible. Flexibility is the key to airpower.''
The squadron embraces this flexibility, but with a twist. While balancing risk mitigation with maintaining the ''Fight Tonight'' attitude, members of the squadron follow the strict guidelines set by U.S. Forces Korea and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by greeting each other with elbow bumps and encouraging ''25 Pil Sung-second'' hand washing techniques.
Within the Draggins, Dorsey explained, finding ways to insert the squadron's number, 25, into normal conversation and activities is considered a demonstration of witty intelligence. Failure to use them in any circumstance is lightheartedly considered poor form.
Whether huddling during weather briefs, stepping to their jets or strafing over the Pil Sung Range, the Draggins never miss an opportunity to sustain their identity, vision, and commitment toward continually claiming certain victory.
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Greg Nash is assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing.)