South Korea, US Conduct Combined Air Exercise Using B-1B Bomber, F-22 and F-35 Stealth Fighters
This photo provided by the South Korean Defense Ministry shows fighters of the South Korean and US Air Forces taking part in a joint air exercise over the Yellow Sea on February 1, 2023. (Its resale and archiving is prohibited)
SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) — South Korea and the United States have held a combined air exercisewhich has mobilized a B-1B strategic bomber and US Air Force F-22 and F-35B stealth fighters, in a demonstration of Washington’s “will and capabilities” against North Korean threats, has said, this Thursday, the South Korean Ministry of Defense.
The two allies carried out the exercise over the Yellow Sea – the first of its kind this year – on Wednesday. Seoul and Washington also mobilized the South Korean Air Force’s F-35A fighter jets.
“The combined air exercise shows, this time, the US willingness and capabilities to provide a strong and credible extended deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats,” the ministry said in a press release.
Extended deterrence means the US commitment to fully employ its military capabilities, including nuclear assets, to defend its ally.
The ministry noted that the exercise was in line with an agreement reached at the two countries’ summit last year to deploy US strategic assets in a “timely and coordinated” manner, and that the exercise reflected their determination.” strong” for national security as a “partnership that works.
In addition, the ministry said that, going forward, both nations will enhance citizens’ confidence in the extended US deterrence, while strengthening combined maneuvers regarding the deployment of US strategic assets.
The latest exercise came as some South Koreans raised doubts about the credibility of Washington’s extended deterrence, amid Pyongyang’s persistent effort to develop a long-range nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland. .
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday in Seoul that there would be further deployments of such advanced military assets, involving F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, to ensure US security commitment.
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