Will the Air Force Conduct Joint Training with Japan Air Self-Defense Force?

The Republic of Korea Air Force, having departed from Seosan Air Base and received aerial refueling en route, arrived at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to participate in the Red Flag Alaska training and has commenced full-scale exercises.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Air Force is expected to participate in the multinational joint air force training held next month in Alaska, USA, for the first time in three years. If our Air Force's participation in this Red Flag is confirmed, it will be the first since 2018. Last year, participation was not possible due to COVID-19, and in 2019, flight operations of the same series of fighters were suspended due to a KF-16 crash.

According to the U.S. 7th Air Force Command on the 13th, the 'Red Flag-Alaska 21-2' training will be conducted in Alaska from the 10th to the 25th of next month. This training will mobilize about 1,500 personnel and around 100 aircraft.

The 7th Air Force stated, "In addition to the United States, personnel from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force are scheduled to participate," and explained, "Through exercises on flight tactics, skills, and joint operation procedures among participating countries, interoperability will be enhanced."

It is known that the Air Force has not made a final decision regarding participation. The Ministry of National Defense expressed its intention to resume military exchanges between Korea and Japan at the Korea-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministers (2+2) meeting. Because of this, the prevailing prediction is that the Air Force will participate in this training, which also involves the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

The fighter jets, transport aircraft, and other aircraft from participating countries in this year's Red Flag training will take off and land at Eielson Air Force Base and Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base in Alaska. The Red Flag, which has been hosted by the U.S. Pacific Air Forces since its inception in 1975, was originally conducted assuming battles against armed forces without fighters or air defense systems to secure air superiority. However, it is known that about ten years ago, the scenario shifted to fighting enemies equipped with air defense systems such as surface-to-air missiles.

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