Kunsan Airmen train with South Korean fighter pilots

Kunsan Air Base officials hosted an exercise with South Korean airmen March 15 through 17 here to operate effectively together for possible joint combat actions. South Korean air force F-16s from the 21st Fighting Squadron out of Seosan Air Base and F-15E Strike Eagles from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron played part in several realistic aerial exercises to become familiar with each other's tactics and procedures. "(Exercise) Buddy Wing is a way for us to gain experience flying with the host nation pilots," said Capt. Patrick Hickie, a 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot. "This enables us to integrate seamlessly and be effective as possible. This is the bread and butter of what we do. We need to understand how to operate and employ together efficiently, this exercise gives us the chance to do that."

The exercise is held several times throughout the year to help ensure all incoming pilots are able to participate sometime throughout their tour and so the U.S. and South Korean air forces can operate smoothly together to complete their missions. "ROKAF mainly use English terms on the radio in accordance with communication procedures," said South Korean air force Capt. Sung Jin Jeon, assigned to the 21st Fighter Squadron. "We primarily share jargon, codeword, brevity, and so forth, so we don't see any problem with communication between ROKAF and USAF pilots." ......................................AF

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