ROK Air Force Holds Major Aerial Exercise for First Time in 18 Months

The ROK Air Force will conduct a large-scale comprehensive aerial exercise, 'Soring Eagle,' involving approximately 50 aircraft including F-35A jets, for the first time in 18 months.

The exercise aims to improve pilot proficiency in realistic environments and bolster capabilities to counter potential threats. 'Soring Eagle' is conducted to enhance the Air Force's aerial operation capabilities and review combat readiness by simulating a wide range of wartime and peacetime threat scenarios.

The exercise will see approximately 50 aircraft, including F-35A, F-15K, F-16, KF-16, FA-50, and F-5 fighter jets, along with KA-1 airborne control and attack aircraft, E-737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and KC-330 multirole tanker transport aircraft, participate along with over 210 personnel. During the exercise, scenarios will include air defense, air interdiction, and emergency air interdiction missions, as well as responses to enemy drones and cruise missiles, large-scale aerial power infiltration, deterrence of enemy artillery provocations, identification and attack of enemy missile launchers, and neutralization of enemy air defense systems.