Six United States Air Drive F-35 Lightning plane arrived from the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Drive Base, Alaska, in Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 5, 2022, to conduct mixed coaching with the Republic of Korea Air Drive. Through the coaching, U.S. forces and Republic of Korea Air Drive (ROKAF) carried out familiarization and routine coaching flights to reinforce interoperability between the 2 Air Forces to carry out and function on and across the Korean Peninsula.

Two F-35A Lightning II’s taxi down a runway at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 11, 2022. (U.S. Air Drive picture by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

“We bought to sit down down and have tactical discussions about how they’re using their plane in Korea. We had been in a position to present concepts and methods to enhance coaching and perceive extra about what they do. Our major goal is to soundly execute techniques between us and ROKAF F-35’s. To indicate our ironclad alliance right here in South Korea,” mentioned Lt. Col. Ryan ‘VooDoo’ Worrell, 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander.

Commercial

Senior Airman Thomas Trail, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintainer, signals an F-35A Lightning II pilot at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 5, 2022.
Senior Airman Thomas Path, 354th Plane Upkeep Squadron maintainer, alerts an F-35A Lightning II pilot at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 5, 2022.(U.S. Air Drive picture by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

“We’re from completely different international locations and we converse completely different languages however we’re each fluent in techniques and that makes us deadly. General we had been in a position to nail it down, fly safely and attain the mission. This is only one small step for the way forward for our integration between our two international locations,” mentioned Capt. Steven ‘Magnum’ Trojan, 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot.

ROKAF F-35 pilots from the 152nd Fighter Squadron, stand in front of their squadron building with U.S. Air Force F-35 pilots at Cheonju Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 14, 2022.
ROKAF F-35 pilots from the 152nd Fighter Squadron, stand in entrance of their squadron constructing with U.S. Air Drive F-35 pilots at Cheonju Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 14, 2022.(U.S. Air Drive picture by Grasp Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

Flying roughly 40 hours and 30 sorties alongside ROKAF; this marks the primary time in 5 years for the reason that U.S. has had fifth technology fighters work alongside our South Korea companions. The U.S. and ROK keep a powerful relationship derived from shared pursuits and values. The partnership performs an integral half to the protection and safety of the Indo-Pacific area, with coaching occasions filling an important position in sustaining friendship and alliances. Allied companions are a big strategic asset providing a aggressive edge in securing widespread pursuits whereas selling shared values.

US Air Force F-35’s Conduct Combined Training with Republic of Korea Air Force
U.S. Air Drive and Republic of Korea Air Drive F-35A Lighting II plane soar by means of the skies over Korea July 12, 2022 in a good formation.(U.S. Air Drive Picture by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)