The United States and South Korea conducted joint air drills featuring F-35 fighter jets as part of the annual Freedom Shield exercise, the US Air Force confirmed on Friday.
The drills, held on Thursday, included two South Korean F-35As, two US Air Force F-35As, and one US Navy F-35C, Yonhap news agency reported. The aircraft were deployed from the USS Carl Vinson, a US aircraft carrier that recently visited South Korea.
Seventh Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson highlighted the exercise’s significance, stating that rehearsing combat operations with Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), US Air Force (USAF), and US Navy fifth-generation aircraft demonstrates the forces’ high level of readiness and operational capability.
North Korea has previously criticized the deployment of US fighter jets to the region, accusing Washington of fueling tensions.
