Simultaneous Deployment of USFK Reconnaissance and Attack Aircraft

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been revealed that the U-2S high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and A-10 anti-tank attack aircraft of the US Air Force stationed in Korea simultaneously took off over southern Gyeonggi Province.

According to the civilian aviation tracking site 'No callsign' on the 2nd, one U-2S (Dragon Lady) reconnaissance aircraft conducted reconnaissance flights back and forth from the vicinity of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province toward Seongnam the previous morning.

The U-2S performs missions by flying at an altitude of up to 25 km for about 7 to 8 hours, capturing images of ground facilities and equipment movements and intercepting communications. The information collected through this reconnaissance aircraft is provided to the US Pacific Air Forces Command, the Korea Combat Operations Information Center (KCOIC) of the US Forces Korea, and the Combined Analysis and Control Center (CACC) of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command.

At the same time, an A-10 (Thunderbolt II) anti-tank attack aircraft flew a route similar to the U-2S flight path. The A-10 is equipped with a fixed GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm rotary cannon. The 30mm cannon shells, numbering about 1,170 rounds, are depleted uranium armor-piercing rounds capable of penetrating tanks and armored vehicles. Due to this capability, the A-10 has earned the nickname "Tank Killer."

Both the U-2S and A-10 aircraft were detected flying with their identification devices turned on. It is rare for two aircraft to be detected flying simultaneously along the same flight path.

Military officials estimate that the flights were either reconnaissance missions targeting North Korea or routine training flights.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.