The Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States air forces conducted a bomber flyover above the Korean Peninsula in an exercise the Allies said strengthened their operational capabilities and countered emerging threats from North Korea.
Two U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons joined two U.S. B-1B Lancer bombers, two ROK F-35A Lightning IIs and two ROK KF-16s for combined training over western South Korea in April 2025, according to a U.S. Air Force news release. The exercise included offensive and defensive counter training, and combined tactics, techniques and procedures.
“This training was conducted to showcase the integrated ROK-U.S. extended deterrence capability and strengthen the interoperability of our combined forces, in response to the continuing and sophisticated threat from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs,” South Korea’s Defense Ministry said in a news release, according to NK News. The drills come as North Korea has increased weapons development, including tactical and strategic missile systems, and deepened ties with Russia, the Defense Ministry said. “Based on close coordination between the ROK and U.S., we will continue to scale up combined training to deter and respond to North Korean threats, further strengthening the Alliance.”
The supersonic B-1B can carry the largest conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the U.S. Air Force. The exercise was the second conducted with the bomber in 2025. In February, the ROK and U.S. air forces and the U.S. Marine Corps conducted an exercise validating the nations’ combined ability to conduct strikes and operate in a contested environment.
The training “ensures we’re able to maintain the high levels of readiness necessary for our combined defense posture,” said Lt. Gen. David Iverson, U.S. 7th Air Force commander. “Each time our aircrews plan, execute and debrief together, we build proficiency in our tactics, techniques and procedures to defend the Alliance, if required.”
ROK and U.S. forces conduct exercises across several domains throughout the year. Opening Gambit in February 2025 prepared troops to work together in crisis management. Freedom Shield, conducted in March 2025, included computer-simulated command post training and field exercises. Salvage Exercise Korea 2025 in April trained ROK and U.S. navy divers in seabed search and recovery. Also in April, the Allies’ air forces conducted Freedom Flag 25-1 to further enhance combined readiness and interoperability.
“Together with our ROK partners, we contribute to security on the Korean Peninsula and the stability in Northeast Asia,” Maj. Steven M. Modugno, of the U.S. Army’s 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, said at the end of Freedom Shield 25. “This Alliance is the strongest in the world and this exercise makes our forces even more lethal. We are proud to put in the hard work with our ROK Allies to ensure we always are ready to ensure both our nations’ security.”
Sentry is a professional military magazine published by U.S. Strategic Command to provide a forum for national security personnel.
