South Korea and US Begin Joint Air Drill at Gunsan Base
The air forces of South Korea and the United States began a joint air exercise called “Freedom Flag” on Monday, Oct. 26, at Gunsan Air Base. The base is located about 180 kilometres southwest of South Korea’s capital, Seoul.
The two-week “Freedom Flag” exercise will run until Nov. 6 and includes South Korean F-15K, KF-16 and F-35A fighter jets. South Korea’s KC-330 transport aircraft and E-737 “Peace Eye” airborne early warning and control aircraft are also involved in the drills.
From the US side, F-16 and stealth F-35B fighter jets, an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, the Navy’s MH-60S “Seahawk” helicopter and the Marine Corps’ MQ-9 “Reaper” surveillance drone are taking part in the exercise.
The “Freedom Flag” drills were first held in 2024 and are now continuing, despite regional tensions, with the aim of strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
