On January 14, the air forces of the United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted joint air exercises in response to recent missile tests by North Korea.
During the exercises, advanced aircraft were deployed, including the B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bomber. According to Yonhap, citing the South Korean Ministry of Defense, South Korean F-15K fighters and Japanese F-2 jets also participated.
Although the exact number of aircraft involved was not disclosed by the news outlet, the exercises allegedly aimed to strengthen the allies' ability to deter and respond to missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.
The joint drills follow North Korea's announcement of a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile launch on January 6, as well as tests of several short-range ballistic missiles on January 14.
These provocations occurred just days before the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense emphasized the significance of the exercises, stating: "South Korea, the United States, and Japan will strengthen cooperation to jointly deter threats from the DPRK and resolutely respond to them, while expanding trilateral exercises based on close cooperation."
In addition to the trilateral exercises, the South Korean and US air forces conducted separate live-fire aerial drills on the same day. These exercises included two F-15K fighters and two A-10 attack aircraft, practicing close air support techniques by launching 20 MK-82 unguided bombs.
North Korea’s missile launches, including several short-range ballistic missiles on January 14, were directed toward the Sea of Japan.
