American airmen and South Korean airmen teamed up June 8 at Kunsan AB in the Republic of Korea to learn how to defend the base and improve the coalitions’ war fighting capabilities. This was the first time since the South Korean 111th Fighter Squadron moved to Kunsan that they have trained in air combat tactics with F-16 Vipers from Pacific Air Force’s 35th Fighter Squadron. It also marked the first joint training since the South Korea unit had transitioned from the F-5 to the F-16. SSgt. Alice Moore reports that the exercise included US airmen from both Kunsan and Osan Air Base. Kunsan plans another joint training exercise for later this month.
The Air Force ramped up operations and maintenance spending to keep its F-35A fighters flying over the past six years, but readiness continues to lag behind goals, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.