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KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Total force aircrews and mission planners successfully executed full-spectrum airlift operations across the Indo-Pacific theater, July 15-25, 2025.
The routine training missions brought together C-17 Globemaster III aircraft crews from the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 437th Airlift Wing and 164th Airlift Wing, along with dozens of total force support personnel, to deliver more than 100 air delivery specialists across the 3000-mile area of responsibility. The mission served to further develop joint and combined interoperability and enhanced the command and control capabilities of U.S. and Republic of Korea forces.
“We’re working with partner nations to showcase our aerial delivery capabilities,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Leo Briseno, an air delivery operations chief participating in the training. “It demonstrates how we can resupply ground forces at multiple locations across the peninsula.”
Operating under short-notice taskings and complex regional conditions, aircrews coordinated closely with U.S. and ROK planning cells to meet mission timelines. The combined effort demonstrated the Air Force’s rapid global mobility and the critical role of airlift in supporting joint force objectives.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Mitchell Kouns, a pilot assigned to the 21st Airlift Squadron, led the first training mission in the series. Supported by mission planners and ground teams, the aircrew transported essential personnel and cargo vital to the success of the international ground teams. Joint coordination ensured safe delivery despite challenging operational conditions.
“Flying these missions means trusting not just the aircrew, but also the planners and ground teams who keep us informed and prepared,” Kouns said. “That teamwork made all the difference when conditions changed.”
To maintain mission momentum, total force aircrews conducted extended operations using augmented crews. By rotating qualified personnel, the team lengthened duty days and reduced downtime between mandatory crew rest cycles. This approach enabled nearly 24-hour airlift operations across four crews, which helped mitigate delays from uncontrollable factors such as weather and ensured critical personnel and equipment arrived on schedule.
“The complex and dynamic nature of this operation required creative mission planning at all levels,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Robbie Lei, 21st AS mission planner. “It was the tenacity and professionalism of aircrews and support teams that kept the mission on track.”
Once on the ground, U.S. and ROK Marine Corps units immediately transitioned into the field training phase where they exercised combined operations and tactical resupply across multiple drop zones and airfields. The exercise reinforced the strength of the U.S.–ROK alliance and its ability to project power across the Indo-Pacific region.
“Joint and combined training ensures that everyone has the capability to respond to the full spectrum of operations, from contingency to humanitarian,” Briseno said. “Our partner nations have been instrumental in facilitating many of the opportunities we’ve had here. Our partners in South Korea have worked alongside us to showcase the joint effort.”
The success of this mission exemplified the strength of joint and combined interoperability between the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and ROK Marine Corps. Despite historic weather challenges and a complex operational environment, total force aircrews demonstrated the rapid mobility and resilience needed to deliver critical personnel and equipment when and where it matters most.
“The Air Force has provided all of the airlift capabilities that enabled us to conduct every single aerial supply to our ground forces,” Briseno said. “Without the U.S. Air Force, we would not have been able to showcase the joint effort required to execute an operation of this scale.”
The operation, a key step toward enhancing both joint and international relations, reinforced the readiness of U.S. and ROK forces to execute integrated missions across the Indo-Pacific theater. Even under pressure, the alliance proved its ability to project power and respond decisively in support of regional stability.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2025 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 544801 |
| Location: | KUNSAN AIR BASE, KR |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, AMC strengthens U.S.-ROK relations through combined training mission series, by SrA Zachary Foster, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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