U.S. and ROKAF participate in a joint large force exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marcus B. Morris
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  U.S. and Republic of Korea air forces held a joint large force exercise at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, May 31, 2013.

More than 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots participated in the exercise, which featured numerous scenarios designed to test and hone their skills and abilities. The exercise was developed in conjunction to Max Thunder 13-1 and emphasized training for the U.S. pilots, while Max Thunder was designed to test ROKAF pilots.

"This exercise takes a lot of planning and coordinating to get this many aircraft up at the same time." said Col. Douglas Nikolai, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander. "The large force exercise builds on what happened at Max Thunder and all the training that has gone on between the U.S. and ROKAF."

In order for the base to 'take the fight north,' it requires support from many groups to keep the aircraft in the air, from the 8th Operations Group supplying the pilots with weather updates and air traffic support from the control towers, to the 8th Maintenance Group keeping the aircraft working properly and loaded with munitions.

"While an exercise of this size can seem daunting to some members of the Wolf Pack, "It's just another day out here," said Senior Airman Cody Newell, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, crew chief.