South Korea’s and the United States’ Air Force in Korea conducted a week-long large-scale air drill since Oct. 14, simulating dogfights with North Korea.
The joint aerial exercise dubbed, Max Thunder, which is controlled by South Korea’s Air Force Operations Command and regularly held in spring and fall every year, is aimed at reinforcing joint operational air defense capabilities and mission implementation skills of joint flight formation between both countries’ Air Force.
Some 130 pilots and about 250 ground forces specialized in maintenance, transportation and interpretation were involved in the exercise to strengthen joint operations capabilities in contingencies.
In addition, some 550 types of planes from sides were mobilized for the drill. Among them, some 40 combat fighters, including F-15Ks, F-4Es and F-5Es, and about 20 U.S. early-warning planes, including F-16CM and A-10, have participated in the exercise to support the maneuver.
Apart from last year, in particular, the 29th Tactics Development Training Flight Unit of South Korea’s Air Force, known as “Top Gun School” that is in charge of studying enemy’s strategies and developing and training strategic aerial combat jets, had played a role as a potential enemy during this year’s exercise.
Both Air Forces also jointly trained operations of Non-Directional Beacon System, which is able to show the results of attacks against enemy without firing arms and Aerial Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation that demonstrates real-time three-dimensional aerial mobility situation.
“The joint exercise is an intensive training that provides big help for us to be equipped with the strongest combat capabilities and confidence to fight and win anytime and anywhere,” said Maj. Yun Hong-ju of South Korea’s Air Force who participated in the drill.
In the meantime, two sides jointly carried out training of rescue operations for isolated pilots on ground, sea water or enemy site in wartime. Such training was first conducted in spring this year.