Korea, U.S. to Stage Massive Air Exercise
Korea and the U.S. will stage a large-scale joint air exercise on June 16-20, mobilizing some 90 aircraft, including B-52 bombers, E-3 airborne early warning and control aircraft, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, A-10 ground attack aircraft, and KC-135 refueling tankers.
The exercise is unprecedented in scale. U.S. aircraft will fly to the Korean Peninsula from their bases in the Pacific, including Guam, Hawaii and Alaska, and the U.S. mainland.
“The joint exercise, Max Thunder, will be held June 16-20, for the first time in the skies near the U.S. air base in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province,” a U.S. Forces Korea official said Thursday.
A U.S. military source said the exercise aims to “enhance combined combat capabilities of the Korean and U.S. air forces and increase defense capabilities in the Pacific region.” The USFK is expected to open the exercise to the press next Tuesday.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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