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| ▲ An F-35A stealth fighter jet takes off from an air base in Cheongju, 111 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to take part in an air exercise on Oct. 25, 2024, in this photo provided by the Air Force. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) Air Force-drills
(LEAD) Air Force holds drills against large-scale aerial attack
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SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- The Air Force on Friday staged drills to enhance response capabilities against a large-scale aerial attack as part of efforts to bolster readiness amid evolving North Korean military threats.
The drills mobilized some 70 warplanes, including F-35A stealth fighters, and various air defense systems under a scenario of some 800 simulated North Korean aerial targets flying into the South, according to the Air Force.
Fighter jets trained on intercepting incoming aircraft, while air defense systems, including the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, practiced shooting down cruise and ballistic missiles.
The exercise also focused on training pilots to intercept cruise missiles and destroy launch sites of ballistic missiles, the Air Force said, noting the drills did not involve actual live rounds due to safety concerns.
South Korea's top military officer called on troops to maintain "overwhelming" readiness against North Korea as he inspected the drills at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
At the air base, JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo also visited U.S. Space Forces Korea's headquarters and called for establishing a "substantive" cooperation system in space between the allies to respond to increasing North Korean threats from space.
The air drills took place as North Korea has pressed ahead with advancing its missile programs, highlighted by its missile launches on 16 occasions this year.
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