Starting Today, ROK-US Combined Air Exercise Deploys F-35

The United States' strategic asset F-22, the world's most powerful stealth fighter, completed a flight with the Republic of Korea Air Force's F-15K over the Korean Peninsula on the afternoon of the 17th, then landed at Pyeongtaek Osan Air Base, showcasing its might.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Republic of Korea Air Force's F-35A stealth fighter jets were deployed in the joint Korea-U.S. air training exercises that began on the 9th, one day before President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration.

The Korea-U.S. forces commenced the two-week joint training exercise called "Korea Flying Training" (KFT) starting that day. The F-35A, equipped with stealth capabilities, also participated in the training. Currently, 40 units of the F-35A have been deployed, possessing the capability to covertly infiltrate enemy territory and destroy key targets such as nuclear, missile, and war command facilities.

Amid signs that North Korea is preparing provocations such as nuclear tests coinciding with the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Korea, the participation of the F-35A is also seen as a warning to North Korea. KFT, which started in 2019, replaced the previous large-scale air exercise "Max Thunder" and had no separate name until this year when it was officially named.