35FS, ROKAF Team up for Joint Training Exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Members of the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea Air Force have teamed up for a joint training exercise here Friday. 

Two Korean F-16s from the 111th Fighter Squadron, two F-16s from the 35th Fighter Squadron, Airmen of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and Osan Air Base Airmen participated in air combat tactics to learn how to employ together as a lethal force, said Capt. Luther Cross, 35th Fighter Wing pilot. 

This is the first time the two units have worked together in a joint training exercise.
"We have had social interactions, but this is the first time since the 111th FS moved here that we have briefed, flown and debriefed together on a dedicated mission," Captain Cross said. "This has given us a better sense of teamwork." 

Similar to the "Buddy Wing" program Air Force squadrons have with each other, the exercise is part of the joint fighter exchange program designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the ROKAF fighter squadrons, said Captain Cross. 

"The program's focus is to allow the ROKAF and our Air Force's fighter pilots to exchange ideas, discuss tactics and fly missions together in a controlled environment," he said. 

Captain Jeong-geun Lee, pilot with the 111th FS thought the exercise was an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas. 

"I thought this was a good chance for both of us to develop and improve overall tactics systems by comparing and analyzing each other's knowledge," said Capt. Jeong-geun Lee. 

Along with exchanging ideas Captain Cross said the exercise will also improve the coalitions' capabilities to wage war. 

Captain Cross said the joint training is important to Kunsan's three-tiered mission, Defend the Base, Accept Follow-on Forces and Take the Fight North, because it will enable forces to defend the base. The mission for the flights today was to defend the airspace around the base which encompasses the first two tiers of the mission. Future missions will highlight the Take the Fight North tier of the mission. 

"Today's mission is focused on the first part of our three tier mission, "Defend the Base," said Col. CQ "Wolf" Brown, 8th FW commander. "Eventually these joint missions will focus more on "Taking the Fight North," our third tier, through large force employment missions." 

Colonel Brown also said training and flying with the ROKAF is imperative to increasing interoperability among the two units and increasing confidence in each other's aircraft capabilities, pilot abilities and tactics. 

"We will be better prepared as a total force in the event of hostilities," he said. "The Safety of this country and the stability of the region are enhanced by our presence and ability to employ as an integrated force. Training together, we can make each other more combat ready, making all of us here safer," Captain Cross said. 

"This exercise was indeed significant and remarkable not only because it is the first joint flight since the 38th Fighter Group's transition form the F-5 to the F-16s, but also because this was the first step of further combined operations and partnerships between the ROKAF and the USAF," Captain Lee said. 

Colonel Brown said that working with the ROKAF has been a pleasure.
"They are true professionals and we are proud to serve together with them in maintaining peace and stability in the region," he said. 

The next joint training exercise is scheduled later this month.