South Korea and the United States conducted a joint air exercise over the Korean Peninsula Tuesday involving two US B-1B strategic bombers, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
This marks the second deployment of a US strategic asset to the peninsula since the launch of the Trump administration in February, following a previous mission on Feb. 20.
The drill featured South Korea’s F-35A stealth fighters and F-16 jets, along with US F-16 fighters, and aimed to enhance the regular visibility of the US extended deterrence commitment, according to the Defense Ministry.
The ministry added that the exercise was designed to demonstrate the combined extended deterrence posture of the two allies in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats while also strengthening the interoperability of combined air power.
“South Korea and the United States will continue to expand joint exercises based on close coordination to deter and respond to North Korean threats, further reinforcing the alliance’s defense posture,” the ministry said.
On Jan. 15, the US, South Korea and Japan also held a trilateral air drill involving two US B-1B bombers over international airspace near the Korean Peninsula.
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