In order to optimize combat efficiency, the United States Air Force has formed a “super squadron” in South Korea, an ally of the United States, by deploying additional fighter planes along the frontline with North Korea.
The shift of U.S. soldiers stationed on the Korean Peninsula coincides with North Korea’s recent actions, including the deployment of over 2,000 “garbage balloons” into its southern neighbor and the strengthening of military cooperation between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin of Russia.
The Pacific Aviation Forces’ operational arm responsible for aviation operations in South Korea, the Seventh Air Force, is responsible for flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II assault planes and the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat airplanes.
Last summer, the Air Force announced that nine F-16s would be transferred from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base. With the addition of these Falcons, Osan Air Base will now be home to 31 Fighting Falcons.
Situated approximately 52 miles south of the MDL—the de facto northern and southern boundary since the Korean War armistice of 1953—is Osan Air Base. Approximately 128 kilometers separate the MDL from Kunsan Air Base.
According to the Air Force’s information page, the F-16 can use a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and its ferry range is more than 2,002 miles. Approximately 150 miles north of Osan Air Base sits Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.
Air interdiction, close air support, and counter-air operations may be carried out by the squadron’s fleet of combat-ready F-16s at any time of day or night.
In addition to the fighter planes, Osan Air Base will also receive 150 aircrews and support staff. The F-16s stationed at Kunsan Air Base will continue training to improve cooperation and joint preparedness between the United States and Korea.
On Tuesday, the United States and South Korea started a joint aviation exercise at an air base in Suwon, 19 miles south of Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
