US-ROK fighter drills continue despite North Korea’s past objections



News US-ROK fighter drills continue despite North Korea’s past objections The Buddy Squadron exercise includes F-16, F-35A and FA-50 fighters after allies reduced annual frequency Joon Ha Park July 15, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Two ROK air force F-16 fighter jets (front) and a U.S. Air Force F-16 (rear) release flares while flying in formation during the second Buddy Squadron/Ssangmae joint exercise of 2026 \| Image: ROK air force (July 15, 2026) The United States and South Korea kicked off a four-day joint air exercise southeast of Seoul earlier this week in the latest series of bilateral drills that were scaled back amid repeated North Korean condemnation. The second Buddy Squadron, or Ssangmae (쌍매) air exercise has been underway since Monday at Jungwon Air Base, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Seoul, the ROK air force said Wednesday. The battalion-level combined air exercise includes South Korean F-16, KF-16, F-35A and FA-50 fighters, along with American F-16s, according to the air force. “The ROK and U.S. air forces will use the exercise © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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US-ROK fighter drills continue despite North Korea’s past objections

The Buddy Squadron exercise includes F-16, F-35A and FA-50 fighters after allies reduced annual frequency

Joon Ha Park July 15, 2026

US-ROK fighter drills continue despite North Korea’s past objections

Two ROK air force F-16 fighter jets (front) and a U.S. Air Force F-16 (rear) release flares while flying in formation during the second Buddy Squadron/Ssangmae joint exercise of 2026 | Image: ROK air force (July 15, 2026)

The United States and South Korea kicked off a four-day joint air exercise southeast of Seoul earlier this week in the latest series of bilateral drills that were scaled back amid repeated North Korean condemnation.

The second Buddy Squadron, or Ssangmae (쌍매) air exercise has been underway since Monday at Jungwon Air Base, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Seoul, the ROK air force said Wednesday.

The battalion-level combined air exercise includes South Korean F-16, KF-16, F-35A and FA-50 fighters, along with American F-16s, according to the air force.

“The ROK and U.S. air forces will use the exercise

US-ROK fighter drills continue despite North Korea’s past objections

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