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.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.