F-22 and F-35 rotational deployment to South Korea

AMID RISING TENSION WITH NORTH KOREA, U.S. CONSIDERS A ROTATIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF F-22 AND F-35 STEALTH FIGHTERS TO SOUTH KOREA

By Dario Leone
Sep 5 2017
Share this article

 

The F-22 and F-35B stealth fighters are expected to be rotated on a quarterly basis at Osan Air Base or Kunsan Air Base as part of an effort to boost deterrence against North Korea’s threats

South Korean officials say the U.S. is considering a rotational deployment of U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B stealth fighters to the Korean Peninsula.

The news comes after North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon on Sept. 3.

The stealth jets are expected to be rotated on a quarterly basis at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, or Kunsan Air Base, located at Gunsan Airport, as part of an effort to boost deterrence against North Korea’s threats.

“It is believed that the US is positive toward rotational deployment of F-22 and F-35B jets over Korea as it remains firm in countering North Korea’s provocations,” a South Korea government source said to The Korean Herald.

As we have previously reported the U.S. has periodically sent strategic assets to South Korea, including B-1B bombers, as a show of force in direct response to North Korea’s escalatory launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-22A Raptor 192nd Fighter Wing, 149th Fighter Squadron, FF/04-4082 – Langley AFB, VA – 2014

But now considering a rotational deployment of stealth aircraft in South Korea reflects growing concerns about advancements of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

Moreover according to The Korean Herald, Washington is taking in consideration Seoul request to provide more powerful and “extended deterrence” in the form of a possible deployment of nuclear armament in South Korea.

When talking about extended deterrence in fact the U.S. refers to mobilize its full range of conventional and strategic military assets, including nuclear capabilities, to protect its allies.

F-22 and F-35 rotational deployment to South Korea

A claim confirmed also by Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander, who said on Jul. 29 “North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability. Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing.”

Photo credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob D. Moore / U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


Share this article

Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.



    Share this article
    Back to top
    My Agile Privacy
    This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate. In addition, this site installs Google Analytics in version 4 (GA4) with anonymous data transmission via proxy. By giving your consent, the data will be sent anonymously, thus protecting your privacy.
    Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices