South Korea, US Launch Joint Freedom Flag Air DrillsSeoul, 17 Apr (ONA) — South Korea and the United States today kicked off
a joint large-scale air exercise, the South’s Air Force
said, in efforts to bolster their interoperability and combined
readiness posture against North Korean threats.

Some 1,100 troops and 90 aircraft from both sides were mobilized
for the semiannual Freedom Flag exercise, which runs through 2 May 2025,
according to the Air Force.

Among the assets mobilized for the two-week drills were the
South’s F-35A, F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, as well as the US F-16
and F-35 B fighters and MQ-1 and MQ-9 drones.

Over the next two weeks, troops will take part in key air
operations training programs, such as air interdiction, defensive
counter air, combat search and rescue and close air support
exercises, according to South Korea’s (Yonhap) news agency.

For the first time, stealth fighter jets, such as the F-35, will
take on the role of “red air” enemy forces to help enhance pilots’
practical combat capabilities, the Air Force said.

Freedom Flag was launched last year to replace regular
large-scale air exercises between the allies, Korea Flying Training
in the first half of the year and Vigilant Defense in the second
half.— Ends/Khalid