The US Air Force's (USAF) B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft has conducted bilateral training missions with the Japanese and South Korean air forces.
The training allows the US to strengthen its relationship with Japan and South Korea.
Assigned to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the US bomber conducted intercept and formation training with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force’s F-15J Eagles from Nyutabaru Air Base.
The bilateral training enables the operational units to improve their joint capabilities and tactical skills while also building bilateral confidence and strong working relationships, the USAF stated.
USAF Pacific Air Forces bomber operations chief major Ryan Simpson said: “Bilateral cooperation with bomber aircraft, especially in the face of security challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, is an outstanding demonstration of the US’s commitment to our allies.
“Our increased cooperation enables our combined forces to rapidly react to counter aggression against Japan and other allies and partners.”
The B-1B also participated in a bilateral training with the Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons in South Korean airspace.
Simpson added: “Working and training side-by-side our [South Korean] partners increases our ability to integrate air operations more effectively in order to deter aggression in the region.
“As an added bonus, [South Korea] offers an excellent training environment for increasing the capability of our bomber crews.”
The rotational presence of B-1B bomber allows US forces to integrate with aerial platforms from allied nations and advance and strengthen the long-standing military-to-military relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Image: A USAF B-1B Lancer flies in formation with South Korean F-15K Slam Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Photo: courtesy of Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Robles.
