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F-35s integrate during exercise Freedom Shield 25
US Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs joined a US Navy F-35C Lightning II for integration training during exercise Freedom Shield 25 recently.
During the training, the F-35C, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, integrated with two US F-35As assigned to the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and two ROKAF F-35As assigned to the 17th Fighter Wing, conducting a combined operation in support of FS25. The event highlighted the capability of US and ROK forces to seamlessly integrate air, ground and maritime operations, reinforcing their enhanced combined defense posture.
As explained by Maj. Rachel Buitrago, 7th Air Force, in the article USAF, ROKAF, USN F-35s integrate during FS25, the joint, all-domain nature of FS25 challenges forces to respond to dynamic threats across ground, air, naval, space, and cyber elements, enhancing combat readiness and ensuring that both nations are prepared for any crisis.
An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It features live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.
Dynamic targeting and aerial refueling training
The participation of naval aircraft from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) brought a critical maritime element to the live-fly events of the exercise, enabling the full rehearsal of air component assets to achieve combatant commander priorities.
Prior to the joint training event, the ROKAF and USAF F-35As participated in dynamic targeting and aerial refueling training, validating the capability of ROK and US Air Forces, to find, fix, and defeat a range of threats.
“Rehearsing combat operations with ROKAF, USAF, and United States Navy fifth-generation aircraft demonstrates the unmatched, high level of readiness and capability of our forces,” said Lt. Gen. David Iverson, Seventh Air Force commander. “By integrating our advanced forces and weapons across all domains, we’re demonstrating our combined commitment and ability to defend the peace and stability of the peninsula.”
VFA-97
Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97) Warhawks is the US Navy’s second fleet squadron to operate the F-35C strike fighter. VFA-147 is the first fleet F-35C squadron.
VFA-97, which began transition to the F-35C in February 2021, had operated the F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter since 2013, when it had upgraded from the F/A-18C version.
According to VFA-97 official website, the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron NINE SEVEN were commissioned on Jun. 1, 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW 14). On May 28, 1968, they departed San Diego, California embarked on USS Constellation (CV-64) for the squadron’s first WESTPAC deployment.
Beginning in June 1968, WARHAWK pilots proved themselves in combat while flying the A-7E Corsair on strikes against targets in Vietnam. From June 1971 to July 1990, the mighty WARHAWKS deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), completing 14 deployments, and were the first squadron to reach five years and over 25,000 hours of mishap-free flying in the A-7E.
In 1991, the WARHAWKS transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. Since then, the Warhawks deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) with Carrier Air Wing FIFTEEN, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN, and USS John C Stennis (CVN-74) with Carrier Air Wing NINE.
Photo credit: Maj. Rachel Buitrago / U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force
