Twelve F-16s and 300 airmen from Duluth ANGB, Minn., arrived at Osan AB, South Korea, on April 20. The Fighting Falcons and airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing deployed as part of a Pacific theater security package to increase security and show commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula. US Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces have routinely used TSPs in the region since 2004, according to a press release. In January, a B-52 Stratofortress from Andersen AFB, Guam, flew over South Korea as a show of force, and F-22s flew over the country in February as another North Korean deterrence measure. (See also: Pacific Partnerships)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
