The U.S. and South Korea will hold joint air force drills with Australia this week in what one expert described as regular training to defend against North Korean threats.

The air forces of the U.S., ROK and Australia kicked off the “combined flying training event” called Vigilant Defense 24 on Monday, according to the U.S. military and the joint exercises are scheduled to run through Nov. 3.

“Vigilant Defense 24 is part of an annual, continuous training schedule designed to strengthen the Alliance between the U.S. Air Force and ROK Air Force, as well as allies in the region,” the