In response to North Korea’s recent “rocket” test, where they successfully placed a “satellite” in orbit, the U.S. Air Force conducted another show of force over the Korean Peninsula on 17 February 2016, and this time they brought the F-22.
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the 3rd Wing provided a four-ship of Raptors from the 525th Fighter Squadron, visiting from their current deployment at Kadena AB on the island of Okinawa. The Air Force’s only operational 5th-Generation fighter was joined in the air by a four-ship of our bros from the Fiends and their Vipers, as well as the Republic of Korea Air Force’s completely badass F-15K SLAM Eagle.
The accompanying video shows the formidable air armada skirting along the coast, then cutting across the Korean mainland on its way into Osan Air Base near Seoul. Once on the ground, senior leadership from the U.S. Air Force, as well as the RoKAF, addressed an group of reporters.
“The F-22 Raptor is the most capable air superiority fighter in the world, and it represents one of many capabilities available for the defense of this great nation. The U.S. maintains an ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea,” said United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander and U.S. 7th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, during a combined press engagement with media.
“The RoK and U.S. combined Air Forces remain ready to deter North Korean threats, and are postured to defeat them with the strength of our combined air combat capability,” said Lieutenant General Lee Wang-keon, commander of RoKAF Operations Command.
Four U.S. Air Force F-22 “Raptor” fighter aircraft from Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducted a flyover in the vicinity of Osan Air Base, South Korea, in response to recent provocative action by North Korea Feb. 17, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Song, Kyong Hwan/Released)
Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Evans, 36th Fighter Squadron commander also flew in Wednesday’s formation, showcasing Osan’s combat readiness. “The combined nature of this flyover highlighted the high level of integration and interoperability between our two Air Forces, developed through decades of combined training.”
(Featured photo by Jonathan Derden)