[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] B-52 Bomber Participates in Trilateral US-ROK-Japan Exercise This Time

First Trilateral Air Combined Exercise of South Korea, US, and Japan on the Korean Peninsula on the 22nd
F-35, F-16, and Air Forces of Each Country Expected to Be Fully Mobilized

The B-52 strategic bomber, which landed at a domestic base for the first time, will now join the trilateral air combined exercise between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. This is the first time the three countries have conducted a joint exercise together, reflecting their determination to demonstrate a combined deterrent capability against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, a government official stated, "A combined air exercise involving the air forces of South Korea, the United States, and Japan is scheduled for this weekend, and discussions are ongoing about whether live-fire drills will be included."

The trilateral air combined exercise is expected to take place in areas where the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) and the Japanese Air Defense Identification Zone (JADIZ) overlap. Although there have been sensitive reactions domestically to the deployment of Japan Self-Defense Forces' air power to the Korean Peninsula area, it is anticipated that the involvement of the United States in this exercise will reduce such concerns.

After Second Flight at ADEX, Joins Combined Exercise

The first trilateral air combined exercise is intended to demonstrate joint response capabilities in light of North Korea's announcement of a third reconnaissance satellite launch scheduled for this month. At the Camp David summit in August, South Korea, the United States, and Japan pledged to regularize combined exercises and have since conducted maritime combined exercises primarily involving naval forces.

Earlier, the U.S. military’s strategic bomber capable of nuclear armament, the B-52, landed at a domestic air force base for the first time on the 17th. The B-52 participated in a celebratory flight with the Republic of Korea Air Force’s special flight team, the Black Eagles, and the Australian aerobatic team at the opening of the aerospace and defense industry exhibition, ‘Seoul ADEX 2023,’ held at Seongnam Seoul Airport. Although the B-52, a representative strategic bomber of the U.S. military, has frequently conducted joint exercises with the Korean Air Force over the Korean Peninsula, this is the first time it has landed at a domestic air force base. After participating in the ADEX opening ceremony’s celebratory flight, the B-52 landed at Cheongju Air Force Base.

Full Deployment Including F-35 Stealth Fighters... Live-Fire Drills Under Discussion

The B-52 is scheduled to fly over Seoul Airport once more during the ADEX event. It plans to join the combined air exercise before returning to the United States. The exercise is expected to include the F-35 stealth fighters jointly operated by the three countries. South Korea’s F-15K, KF-16, and F-35A, along with the U.S. Marine Corps’ FA-18 and F-35B, and the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 and KC-135 are also likely to participate.

The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, comes in three variants: A, B, and C. The B variant is for the Marine Corps, and the C variant is for the Navy, featuring foldable wings to be deployed on aircraft carriers. The A variant is the only one equipped with a cannon and is designed for the Air Force. With a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1.8 times the speed of sound), it is a strategic weapon capable of preemptively striking enemy leadership, war command centers, and key military facilities. The Republic of Korea Air Force currently operates 40 F-35s, and the government recently decided to acquire an additional 20 or so by 2028.

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