US Air Force F-22 Raptors arrive at Osan AB

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Spiker | Four U.S. Air Force F-22 "Raptor" fighter aircraft from Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducted a flyover in the vicinity of Osan Air Base, South Korea, in response to recent provocative action by North Korea Feb. 17, 2016. The Raptors were joined by four F-15 Slam Eagles and U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons. The F-22 is designed to project air dominance rapidly and at great distances and currently cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Song, Kyong Hwan/Released)  

KYONGGI-DO, 41, SOUTH KOREA

02.17.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Dillian Bamman 

51st Fighter Wing

SOUTH KOREA - Four U.S. F-22 “Raptor” fighter aircraft conducted a combined formation flight alongside Republic of Korea F-15K “Slam Eagle” aircraft and U.S. F-16 “Fighting Falcon” fighter aircraft to demonstrate the capabilities of the ROK-U.S. alliance Feb. 17, here.

“The F-22 'Raptor' is the most capable air superiority fighter in the world, and it represents one of many capabilities available for the defense of this great nation. The U.S. maintains an ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea,” said United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander and U.S. 7th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, during a combined press engagement with media.

Republic of Korea Air Force Lt. Gen. Lee Wang-keon, ROK Air Force Operations Command commander, spoke about the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance’s air combat capabilities during his brief remarks.

“The ROK and U.S. combined Air Forces remain ready to deter North Korean threats, and are postured to defeat them with the strength of our combined air combat capability,” Lt. Gen. Lee said.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nicholas Evans, 36th Fighter Squadron commander, flew alongside the formation, showcasing Osan’s readiness mission.

“The combined nature of this flyover highlighted the high level of integration and interoperability between our two Air Forces, developed through decades of combined training,” said Evans.

“Furthermore, the inclusion of F-22s, and a B-52 in January, demonstrated the firm resolve of all [United States] forces as we stand united with our counterparts from the ROK air force,” he added.

The mission demonstrated the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2016
• Date Posted: 02.17.2016 06:10
• Story ID: 189015
• Location: KYONGGI-DO, 41, KR