Text Fwd: Kunsan 8th FW and S. Korea Participating in the Max Thunder Exercise 군산 미 8 전투 비행부대와 남한, 맥스 썬더 합동 훈련 [10.15 ~22]

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* 군산 기지 현황의 지도와 함께 자세한 내용은 '군산 미군 기지 우리땅 찾기 시민 모임 까페'를 클릭하세요.
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Asia Pacific Command
Kunsan 8th FW and S. Korea Participating in the Max Thunder Exercise
By Master Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Oct. 18, 2010

KUNSAN AIR FORCE BASE, Republic of Korea - Members from the 8th Fighter Wing and Republic of Korea Air Force are participating in the fourth annual Max Thunder exercise, hosted by Kwangju Air Base, Oct. 15 to 22.

Max Thunder is a bilateral training exercise intended to increase interoperability between Republic of Korea and U.S. military forces. The exercise replicates the scenarios and planning cycles of Red Flag Nellis, and will provide large-force employment training for U.S. and ROK military personnel.

"In all, nearly 50 combat aircrafts will participate in the exercise," said 80th Fighter Squadron Commander Lt. Col. James Wilkerson. "I'm looking forward to an outstanding exercise. This is the first time we've deployed such a large aviation package from Kunsan to Kwangju and I see this as an incredible opportunity to work alongside our U.S. and ROKAF neighbors."

This exercise will also test Kwangju's ability to fulfill the second tenet of the Wolf Pack's mission, "to accept follow-on forces," Colonel Wilkerson said.

"The movement of follow-on forces will include bases other than Kunsan AB, and it is extremely likely that U.S. units will deploy and operate from these bases," said Colonel Wilkerson. "This exercise is our opportunity to test and stress the various support systems that facilitate that effort, as each system involves a myriad of processes. As such, we'll not only test the base infrastructure at Kwangju, but we'll also test our ability to deploy to and operate from a bare-base location, as well as the ability of 7th AF to support our efforts."

Training side-by-side will be part of day-to-day operations for ROK and US airmen during this week-long exercise
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Text Fwd: S. Korea, US begin [8day] air defense exercise on Oct. 15 남한과 미국 공군, [10월 15일부터 ] 8일간 방어 연습 시작

* Image source: ROK Ministry of National Defense, KF-16

* Image & source caption: ROK Ministry of National Defense photo news. NO. 94,
Oct. 5, 2010, 'Korea-U.S. joint air maneuver'

'UH-60 helicopters of the 2nd Aviation Brigade under the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division are operating air transportation of 105 millimeter artillery guns.'

Korea Times
10-15-2010
S. Korea, US begin air defense exercise
By Jung Sung-ki

South Korea and the United States kicked off a joint air force training exercise Friday to increase interoperability among the airmen of the two allies.

About 50 fighter jets, including F-15Ks and KF-16s from South Korea as well as F-16 Fighting Falcons and KC-135 Stratotankers from the U.S., are participating in the eight-day drill, the South Korean Air Force said in a news release.

More than 250 pilots from the allies will be mobilized for the drill, named "Max Thunder," to be staged over the western airspace of the Korean Peninsula, it said.

"This air readiness exercise is aimed at allowing airmen to practice war-fighting skills in realistic combat situations," said the release.

In particular, this year's exercise will focus on deterring and defeating a potential air strike from North Korea, following the March 26 sinking of the warship Cheonan blamed on the communist country, Air Force officials said. North Korea denies any responsibility in the sinking of the frigate that claimed the lives of 46 sailors.

"Throughout the exercise, the allies' air forces plan to test their ability to immediately counter an enemy's provocations within the rules of engagement," said an official at the Air Force.

The exercise is also partly aimed at preparing the joint forces for a larger joint exercise, the annual Red Flag Nellis, according to the statement.

Currently, some 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent to threats from North Korea.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr