A U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt attacker taxis at U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on May 11, 2018, in this file photo, as South Korea and the United States begin the Max Thunder joint combat exercise that will run for two weeks starting the same day. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) — South Korea and the United States have kicked off combined air force drills this week in replacement of their traditional large-scale exercises, a military source here said Tuesday.The two-week exercise began Monday, involving dozens of warplanes from the two sides, as well as Australia, including F-15K, KF-16 and F-16 jets, according to the source.The drills are an alternative to the massive Max Thunder exercises that the two countries had conducted since 2009 on an annual basis, involving around 100 aircraft and 1,800 airmen from the two sides.Seoul and Washington have maintained low-key stances in carrying out joint drills in consideration of the denuclearization and peace process on the Korean Peninsula, the source noted.
Since last year, Seoul and Washington have suspended a set of major exercises, including the summertime Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise and wintertime Vigilant Ace air exercise, though they continue smaller-scale drills to maintain combat readiness.
“The air drills are necessary for boosting joint defense capabilities and maintaining the military alliance,” an Air Force officer said, adding the new type of the drills has been pushed for “under close coordination between the two sides.”
Pyongyang has denounced the South Korea-U.S. exercises as rehearsals for invasion, while the allies have argued that their exercises are defensive in nature. In May last year, the North canceled high-level inter-Korean talks in protest of the Max Thunder exercise.
Global News 
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