By Jun Ji-hye
Air forces of the United States and South Korea will carry out a joint drill aimed at striking North Korea's nuclear facilities during a U.S.-led multi-service combat operations exercise scheduled for next month in Alaska.
The South Korean Air Force said it will dispatch eight F-15K fighter jets and two C130H transport planes along with 147 personnel including pilots for Red Flag-Alaska which takes place from Oct. 3 to 21 at Eielson Air Force Base.
From the U.S. Air Force, 50 fighter jets including F-16s and F-15Cs will participate in the drill.
A military source said on condition of anonymity that the allies' air forces will train their combat pilots to annihilate the enemy under various scenarios such as air-to-air and air-to-surface combat.
Seoul's F-15Ks are set to carry out the live fire exercise with their laser-guided "bunker-buster" bombs that can penetrate command centers located deep underground.
The source added that the drill is designed to better respond to mounting threats from the North's nuclear and missile programs.
Another source said, "The drill will help the Air Force enhance its aerial war capability in the event of contingency."
This year's exercise is drawing extra attention as it takes place about a month after the hostile state pushed ahead with its fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9, claiming to have successfully detonated a nuclear warhead that can be fitted on a ballistic missile.
Following this latest provocation, Mike Mullen, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a forum hosted by the U.S. Council on foreign relations last week that it is important for countries to develop the capability to defend themselves.
Mullen said that a preemptive strike is just one out of many potential options, and this depends on the actions of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The ROK Air Force said that the aircraft will fly nonstop over 8,000 kilometers with 10 aerial refuelings between them.
Besides the South Korean Air Force, those from New Zealand and NATO will also participate in the drill, but only the U.S. and South Korea will dispatch their fighter jets. New Zealand will send transport planes, and NATO will dispatch aerial tankers only.
The ROK Air Force added that the aerial war game provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.