[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] Korea-US 'Strongest Fighter Jets' Gathered on the Korean Peninsula

Large-Scale Joint Formation Military Comprehensive Training at Gwangju Base Starting from the 17th

The air forces of South Korea and the United States will conduct a large-scale joint combined air wing training exercise on the 17th.

According to the air force on that day, the exercise will take place at Gwangju Air Base until the 28th, involving more than 110 combined air assets and approximately 1,400 personnel from both South Korea and the United States.

South Korea will deploy about 60 aircraft including F-35A, KF-16 fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and KC-330 multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft. The U.S. forces will participate with about 40 aircraft including U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters, A-10 attack aircraft, KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighters and FA-18 fighter attack aircraft. Both countries' participating forces deployed to Gwangju Air Base on the 14th to complete preparations for the exercise.

This is the largest-ever joint combined air wing training exercise conducted by the South Korean and U.S. air forces in the first half of the year, with all air assets deployed to a single base. The English name is "Korea Flying Training" (KFT), and it is a training exercise similar in nature to the large-scale air exercise "Max Thunder," which began in 2009.

This exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability and integrated mission operation capabilities among 4th and 5th generation combined air assets. The South Korean and U.S. air forces plan to conduct various joint air training exercises including attack wing operations, defense provision, emergency air interdiction, and close air support.