Words From the Kun..Brunigans bar rises from the ashes

The smell of Kimchi fills the train car as rice paddies zip by the train car window, with the ever-looming hazy mountains overlooking the landscape. I am writing this message on a one-way ticket to Seoul, as my time to depart the Korean Peninsula has come. I said my farewells to the Juvats, and the mighty F-16, but the bittersweet nostalgia and pounding hangover are tempered slightly with a handful of Advil and an ice-cold Cass. I recently returned from Cobra Gold ’24 in Thailand, where I rejoined with Cage onboard an 80-foot yacht off the coast of Pattaya. We had time, along with the rest of the squadron, to share flying stories, Juvat memories, and the state of Bruni’s. Later, we decided to provide an update of the hooch on the Headhunter’s Alumni Website.

One thing that strikes me when meeting Juvats from years past or reading old Headhunter history books is that although the faces of the pilots change, the unique and impactful character of the Squadron and its members remain the same throughout its 82 years of existence. Juvats have a strong commitment to tradition, pride, and camaraderie that isn’t as present in other fighter squadrons. So much so, that it feels like there is a bond that exists between all Juvats that spans generations and conflicts. And, in my opinion, Brunigan’s is a physical embodiment of that bond and what it means to be a Juvat. 

Born in the jungles of New Guinea, she provided shelter for the founding fathers of the 80th, like Bong, Kirby, and Cragg. She withstood the icy winters of the Korean War and provided warmth for future legends like Loring. Her walls shook as the roar of the Thunderchief overhead took the young wingman Waldrop to score the Juvat’s first aerial victory of the Vietnam War. And now, she rests peacefully at Kunsan by the Sea. As the Headhunter’s drift further away from the squadron’s last active conflict, she waits knowing what’s on the horizon, and that she soon may again make history with the 80th. 

I am so proud and grateful to the Headhunter Alumni who made this renovation possible. With the funds we raised ($12,680), we replaced the roof and completely overhauled the interior, turning a fading run-down hooch into a place that is much more suitable for the World’s Hottest Headhunters. A brand-new slab of Korean Walnut now spans the gap where the decrepit HVAC system once stood, which we named the Hollandia Bar. The old dingy ceiling tiles and flickering fluorescent lights were torn down to expose the vaulted beams that are now decorated with a jungle-like canopy and string lights. And finally, we repaired and reinforced the walls with corrugated aluminum, motivated by a picture of the original Brunigan’s, which used a similar material in its construction. Many thanks also go out to all the wingmen, flight leads, and IPs, who helped with the renovation, as it took nearly four months of working over the weekends. And, what warms my heart, is the new wingmen are eager to continue the cycle of improvement for Bruni’s, maybe replacing the floor or fixing the plumbing.

I know that I will always be a Juvat no matter where I go, but I dream of one day returning to Korea, the Juvats, and to Bruni’s. God willing.

WiG?!

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