S. Korea, U.S. kick off combined air drills this week

South Korea and the United States have commenced their joint air drills, known as Freedom Flag, this week. The two-week exercise is being held at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, roughly 180 kilometers southwest of Seoul, and will involve the nations' key aerial assets. These include South Korea's F-15K, KF-16, and F-35A fighter jets, as well as the KC-330 transport aircraft and E-737 Peace Eye early warning and control aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force will also contribute with its F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, RC-135 reconnaissance plane, MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, F-35B stealth fighter jet, and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned surveillance aircraft. Both air forces will operate day and nighttime mission planning cells to share tactics and expertise, ultimately refining wartime operational and mission execution procedures.

The drills are designed to boost interoperability and develop combined operational capabilities such as defensive counter-air and air interdiction. The evolving modern warfare environment is also a factor, with the drills evaluating the planning and execution of South Korea-led combined exercises as part of efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington.

South Korea aims to achieve OPCON by 2030 or earlier by demonstrating its ability to lead the combined forces. The Freedom Flag drills, which began in 2024, aim to replace regular large-scale air exercises between the allies.