Korea-US Joint Air Exercise
Air Force F-35A and US Air Force F-16 Participate
The U.S. strategic bomber B-1B appeared in the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Freedom Shield (FS)' held in the first half of the year, demonstrating deterrence against North Korea.
On the 19th, the South Korean and U.S. Air Forces conducted a joint aerial exercise over the Korean Peninsula, involving South Korea's F-35A fighter jets and the U.S. Air Force's B-1B strategic bombers and F-16 fighter jets. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 7th day of Freedom Shield, the 19th, that the U.S. B-1B strategic bomber was deployed on the Korean Peninsula and conducted joint aerial training over the peninsula. The training included South Korea Air Force F-35A stealth fighters and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters.
The deployment of the B-1B to the Korean Peninsula came 16 days after it participated in joint aerial training over the West Sea and central inland airspace on the 3rd.
The Ministry of National Defense stated, "Through this exercise, South Korea and the U.S. demonstrated a solid combined defense posture and the 'operationalization of extended deterrence,' while significantly enhancing the interoperability of the South Korea-U.S. air forces, rapid response deployment capabilities, and strong strategic strike capabilities during wartime."
It added, "The South Korea-U.S. alliance maintains the best combined defense posture against North Korea's continuous provocations causing regional instability, and will continue to realize 'peace through strength' based on the alliance's solid capabilities and posture, while enhancing trust in the U.S. extended deterrence."
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