The South Korean Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Kim Sung-il, took one of his country’s new F-15K fighters for a test ride recently. A fairly standard procedure for an Air Force leader, right? Unfortunately, the ability of the advanced F-15K to sustain aerial combat for about an hour gave the general an opportunity to make a “symbolic” flight over the Dokdo islets, reports the Chosun Ilbo. Seoul believes Dokdo is its territory, but Tokyo claims the islets for Japan. Tokyo has asked for an explanation.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

