A South Korean F-15K Slam Eagle assigned to the 11th Fighter Wing out of Daegu Air Base takes off from an unspecified location in South Korea, Aug. 20, 2024. (South Korean air force)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Squadrons from the U.S. and South Korean air forces are conducting weeklong, around-the-clock flight drills for the first time as part of a large-scale exercise throughout South Korea.
Around 200 U.S. and South Korean military aircraft are planning 2,000 sorties by Friday as part of the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on land, air and sea, according to a Ministry of National Defense news release Tuesday.
The five-day exercise includes F-15K Slam Eagles, FA-50 Golden Eagles and KF-16s from the South Korean air force and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Air Force’s 8th and 51st fighter wings at Kunsan and Osan, respectively, the release said.
Previously, Ulchi Freedom Shield’s aerial exercises consisted of one wing from each country. Having multiple squadrons conduct flight operations simultaneously helps verify the allies’ multidomain capabilities during wartime, according to the release.
One of the exercise’s scenarios includes an unexpected combat patrol for aircraft already in flight, following a simulated appearance of enemy aircraft or cruise missiles.
The scenarios “directly support the exercise’s focus on conducting multi-domain operations” and emphasizes “countering weapons of mass destruction,” the 8th Fighter Wing said in a separate news release.
A South Korean air force FA-50 takes off from an unspecified base in South Korea, Aug. 19, 2024. (South Korean air force)
“It is imperative to link the Wolf Pack with the operational level of command,” wing commander Col. Peter Kasarskis said in the release, referring to the group’s nickname. “These connections do not happen automatically and must be rehearsed. Exercises such as Ulchi Freedom Shield provide the sandbox to allow us to continuously improve.”
The allies conducted another joint air exercise, Korea Flying Training, starting April 12. Around 25 aircraft types flew over 15 days and focused on integrating fifth-generation models, such as the F-35 Lightning II, with U.S. and South Korean jets.
Additional information of the ongoing exercise that kicked off Monday has been kept under wraps by the South Korean and U.S. militaries.
U.S. Forces Korea, the command responsible for the 28,500 U.S. troops on the peninsula, has not disclosed the number of American service members participating in the drills. Roughly 19,000 South Korean troops are involved, according to the South’s military.
Ulchi Freedom Shield is the second large-scale joint military exercise conducted annually in South Korea. The first, Freedom Shield, was held March 4-14.
