Korea-US-Japan Conduct First Joint Air Exercise... Nuclear-Capable B-52 Participates

South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted an aerial exercise near the Korean Peninsula on the 22nd. This is the first time the air forces of the three countries have trained together.

According to the South Korean Air Force, the joint aerial exercise involved the U.S. military's strategic bomber B-52H, South Korean Air Force (F-15K), U.S. Air Force (F-16), and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (F-2) fighter jets.

South Korea, U.S., and Japan Air Forces Conduct First Joint Air Exercise Near the Korean Peninsula
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

The exercise took place over the overlapping area of the South Korea-Japan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) south of the Korean Peninsula, where the three countries' fighter jets escorted the B-52H in formation flight. The training airspace did not include South Korean sovereign airspace.

This is the first time the air forces of the three countries have conducted a joint aerial exercise. The South Korean-U.S. Air Forces and U.S.-Japan Air Forces have frequently held joint exercises over or near the Korean Peninsula. This exercise is aimed at trilateral security cooperation.

Various fighter jets, including the F-35A, are on display at 'Seoul ADEX 2021' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 19th.
Seongnam - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

This South Korea-U.S.-Japan aerial exercise was conducted in conjunction with the deployment of the nuclear-capable B-52H to the Korean Peninsula.

The B-52H participated in the celebratory flight for the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023,' the largest domestic defense exhibition that began on the 17th at Seongnam Seoul Airport, and conducted joint training with the South Korean Air Force before landing at Cheongju Air Base on the same day.

Although the B-52H has flown to the Korean Peninsula and conducted joint exercises with the South Korean Air Force many times, this is the first time it has landed at a domestic air base.

The Air Force stated that this South Korea-U.S.-Japan aerial exercise was "planned to enhance the trilateral response capabilities against North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats," adding that it "demonstrated the security cooperation and solidarity among the three countries, as well as reaffirmed the United States' strong security commitment to the Korean Peninsula."