[Exclusive] All F-35A Jets to Deploy This Afternoon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Our military will begin a solo training exercise using F-35A stealth fighters on the 25th. While South Korea and the U.S. have conducted joint exercises simultaneously before, it is unusual for our military to deploy only F-35A stealth fighters for a large-scale solo training operation.

According to intelligence authorities, the training on that day is expected to commence with orders given to our Air Force F-35A stealth fighters to strike key enemy targets, assuming a war outbreak scenario. This is similar to the scenario of the 2012 "Elephant Walk" training, which mobilized about 60 fighter jets. Fully deploying the F-35A, which was completed earlier this year, can demonstrate deterrence against North Korea. North Korea has also shown sensitive reactions, calling our Air Force’s F-35A deployment a "military power enhancement provocation."

South Korea and the U.S. plan to deploy U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula if North Korea launches additional ICBMs. The Ministry of National Defense is reported to have briefed the Presidential Transition Committee on this matter. Through the expanded deterrence strategy consultation body (EDSCG) between South Korea and the U.S., which was suspended under the current administration, they intend to discuss the regular rotation and deployment of U.S. strategic assets.

Last month, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces deployed the B-52H "Stratofortress" to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Along with bombers such as the B-1B "Lancer" and B-2 "Spirit," these aircraft can devastate strategic targets and military facilities within North Korea in an emergency, making them a feared presence for the North Korean regime. Additionally, U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships operating nearby the Korean Peninsula may gather to increase pressure. Currently, it is understood that two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and one amphibious assault ship are deployed in the Western Pacific. The Indo-Pacific Command has been strengthening surveillance, reconnaissance activities, and ballistic missile defense posture over the West Sea area since the 7th of this month.