S. Korean Air Force takes part in U.S.-led combat exercise

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) - The South Korean Air Force is taking part in a U.S.-led, multinational aerial combat exercise this month, officials said Wednesday. Six F-15K fighter jets have been training with the U.S. and Saudi Arabian air forces in the Red Flag exercise. It began last Sunday and will continue until Feb. 4 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, officials said. The exercise will include simulated air interdiction drills, with U.S. fighter aircraft as enemy planes, and live-fire drills using laser guided bombs and satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), officials said. "The exercise will help enhance our pilots' capabilities to execute combined operations," said Col. Yoon Je-hoon, the head of the South Korean delegation. "Our participation in Red Flag further cements the strong alliance between South Korea and the U.S. and demonstrates our strong joint aerial defense." South Korea is participating in Red Flag for the first time since 2008. The exercise began in 1975, and South Korea has also taken part in 1979, 1980, 1983, 1990 and 1992. Allies of the U.S. participate in Red Flag to train their pilots for real combat situations and to strengthen their joint operational capabilities with the U.S. (END)