The United States and South Korea will hold a large-scale joint air exercise involving 240 military aircraft next week to bolster their combat readiness amid North Korea’s ongoing missile provocations.
The drill, known as the Vigilant Storm, will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 and involve major air missions such as close air support, defensive counter air, and emergency air operations, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement.
“Support forces on the ground will also train their base defense procedures and survivability in case of attack,” it added.
The drill will involve 240 aircraft, 140 of which will be from South Korea, including its F-35A stealth jets and F-15K and KF-16 fighters. The U.S. will deploy its F-35B jets, EA-18 electronic warfare aircraft, and KC-135 tankers….