U.S. to deploy F-15Es in S. Korea to bolster defense

SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- The United States plans to deploy a dozen F-15E fighter
jets to South Korea to bolster the country's defenses, a military source said
Sunday.
The source said the move is designed to ease concerns caused by the withdrawal of
a battalion of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from South Korea. The Apaches
contributed to the comprehensive defense strategy of the country by acting as a
powerful deterrent against North Korean large armor formations and special forces
units.
The large helicopter is armed with the potent Hellfire anti-tank missiles,
unguided rockets and a automatic cannon.
Under the scheme, Washington will replace the 12 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters
stationed at Suwon Air Base, just south of Seoul, with an equal number of F-15E
Strike Eagles by Aug. 20.
The Strike Eagles are to be deployed directly from the United States and
stationed at Gunsan Air Base, about 275km south of the capital, for six months
along with 400 support personnel.
The jets have far superior all-weather ground attack capabilities compared with
the F-16s and a greater operational range. Plans are in the works to conduct a
joint exercise with the South Korean Air Force during the annual Ulji Focus Lens
military drill scheduled for later this month.
The two-seat aircraft can carry a wide range of munitions including anti-armor
and precision guided bombs and both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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