Reports of an end to the fighter firing range dilemma in South Korea seem to have been premature. According to the Korea Times, Seoul’s plan to expand the US Air Force’s use of the Chikdo shooting range and upgrade it with a new electronic scoring system is far from a done deal, primarily because of local opposition. The situation prompted Lt. Gen. Garry Trexler, commander of 7th Air Force, headquartered at Osan AB, South Korea, to publicly state last week that Seoul had 30 days to rectify the situation or US fighters would have to move off the island. (Trexler is retiring soon.)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
