F-35 Stealth Fighters Train in South Korea Today

The U.S. Air Force brought F-35A jets into South Korea to enhance their Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities following deployments from Kadena Air Base in Japan. The jets participated in an 11-day exercise called Freedom Shield, which occurred between March 10 and March 21, involving not only the U.S. Air Force but also the U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea Air Force with their own F-35 aircraft. These exercises focused on the fighters’ ability to rapidly relocate from their primary bases to alternative locations in the region, a crucial skill given the strategic depth limitations on the Korean Peninsula and the significant threat posed by North Korea’s advanced military capabilities, particularly its striking arsenal aimed at major air bases.

North Korea has increased its capacity to threaten airbases with an extensive array of missile technology, including ballistic and cruise missiles capable of delivering tactical nuclear, chemical, or conventional strikes. This formidable arsenal complements the country’s massive artillery and rocket artillery forces, which are also among the largest globally, offering a high volume of fire at a relatively low cost, making any potential confrontation in the region particularly daunting for U.S. and South Korean forces.

The operational environment in and around North Korea is further complicated by one of the world’s most robust air defense networks, which includes advanced radar systems, fortified underground missile systems, and the integration of high-tech equipment like the Pyongae-6 long-range anti-aircraft missiles. While North Korea’s fighter fleet is considered outdated, the country is making strides in developing new, advanced air-to-air missiles and is in talks to potentially acquire modern combat aircraft from Russia, including the possibility of obtaining Su-57 fifth-generation fighters.

The planned maneuvered in South Korea with F-35 aircraft demonstrate both a strategic necessity to adapt to potential threats and an acknowledgment of North Korea’s increasingly sophisticated military capabilities. Preparing for agile and dispersed operations helps mitigate the risks associated with conventional base operations in a region with a dense, hostile air defense system and an arsenal of precision strike weapons. This approach not only reduces the vulnerability of these assets but also enhances the combat flexibility and survivability of U.S. forces in conflict scenarios.