Korea, U.S. hold joint air force training

Seven A-10 American anti-tank aircraft have been deployed in South Korea for joint air force training, the Air Force here said Wednesday.

The four-day Buddy Wing exercise between South Korean and U.S. air force squadrons will run through Thursday in Osan Air Base, it said.

The U.S. mobilized seven A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft for the joint drill, which focuses on the allies' capability to carry out joint air support operations.

The A-10 is tasked with launching air attacks on North Korean armored vehicles in the event of a war. It is unusual for the U.S. to deploy the high-survivability and versatile aircraft for such a joint training.

South Korea deployed four KA-1 light attack aircraft for the training.

The A-10 is capable of carrying a maximum of 7,250 kilograms in weapons, including GAU-8 Avenger auto cannons, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missiles and Mark 82 unguided bombs.

"The joint training, now and in the future, will be carried out with a focus on strengthening the combined mission capabilities and interoperability," said Col. Andrew Hansen, commander of 51st Fighter Wing, whose sub-unit took part in the drill.

The countries first launched the joint air force drill in 1991 before renaming it Buddy Wing in 1998. (Yonhap)