In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, US and South Korea Air Force fighter jets including South Korea's F-35A stealth fighters – and US F-16 fighter jets, fly in formation during a joint drill on June 7, 2022. (PHOTO / SOUTH KOREA DEFENSE MINISTRY VIA AP)
SEOUL – Six US F-35A stealth fighter jets arrived in South Korea Tuesday for joint drills with South Korean warplanes, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
The radar-evading US fighters, deployed to the Korean Peninsula from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, will conduct joint exercises with the South Korean air force until July 14, the ministry said in a statement.
The US Forces Korea said in a separate statement that the US aircraft plans to operate and fly with several different US and South Korean aircraft, including South Korea's F-35s
It was reportedly the first known deployment of the US stealth fighter jets in in South Korea since late 2017.
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The US Forces Korea said in a separate statement that the US aircraft plans to operate and fly with several different US and South Korean aircraft, including South Korea's F-35s.
It noted that the familiarization and routine training flights will enhance the interoperability of the two air forces to perform and operate on and around the Korean Peninsula.
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It added that the US aircraft plans to operate over South Korea and surrounding waters off the coasts during the scheduled 10-day training mission.