South Korea and the U.S. Conduct Joint Air Exercise with Manned and Unmanned Aircraft... Australian Forces Also Participate

'Freedom Flag' Training Conducted Over 2 Weeks
Australian Air Force Aerial Refueling Aircraft Deployed for Refueling Training

The South Korean and U.S. Air Forces have embarked on a large-scale joint air exercise involving U.S. forces stationed in Japan and the Royal Australian Air Force. For the first time in this exercise, manned fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles will carry out missions together.

On the 24th, the Air Force announced that it has been conducting the 'Freedom Flag' exercise for two weeks from the 21st of last month until the 1st of next month. Freedom Flag integrates the previously conducted first half joint combined air task force training (KFT) and the second half Vigilant Defense exercise under one name, to be held twice annually.

The exercise involves over 110 air assets from the ROK Air Force, including F-35A, F-15K, KF-16, F-16, FA-50, KC-330, and MC-130K, as well as U.S. forces in Korea and Japan with F-35B, F-16, A-10, MQ-9, among others. The Royal Australian Air Force’s KC-30A aerial refueling tanker is also deployed to participate. South Korean fighter jets will conduct aerial refueling training alongside the Australian KC-30A. This marks the first time the Australian KC-30A has refueled a South Korean F-35A in flight.

During the first week of training, commanders and staff from South Korea and the U.S. operate a mission planning cell to discuss training tactics ahead of the flight exercises scheduled to begin in earnest next week. In the second week of training starting on the 28th, practical air operations such as air interdiction, defensive counter-air, and close air support will be conducted.

Pilots and refueling controllers from the South Korean KC-330, U.S. KC-135, and Australian KC-30A tankers will also participate in mutual exchange flights to discuss ways to enhance cooperation.

General Kim Hyung-soo, Commander of the Air Operations Command, stated, "This exercise will serve as a starting point to further strengthen joint mission capabilities and expand into a larger-scale training." David Iverson, Commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force, said, "I hope this exercise, conducted based on the value of the ROK-U.S. alliance and spirit of cooperation, will evolve into a multinational large-scale joint exercise in the future."