US Stages Air Combat Drills With Allies Amid North Korea Threat
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The United States and its two treaty allies in Northeast Asia—Japan and South Korea—conducted a war game on Wednesday amid North Korea's threats.
North Korea has previously denounced the U.S.-led alliance for rehearsing war through joint drills, accusing it of practicing "preemptive attacks" on its nuclear weapons facilities.
Newsweek has reached out to the North Korean Embassy in China for comment by email.
Why It Matters
The U.S. and its allies—both of which host American forces—have conducted military exercises around the Korean Peninsula, including an aerial drill involving conventionally armed bombers in January and a naval war game featuring an aircraft carrier in March.
Nuclear-armed North Korea has threatened to use force against Japan and South Korea. The latest trilateral drill follows a statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), revealing that Pyongyang has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex.
What To Know
The U.S. Air Force and its Japanese and South Korean counterparts took part in "defensive counter-air training" on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The exercise aimed to refine the combined tactics, techniques, and procedures of the allied air forces.
The drill took place over waters off South Korea's southern Jeju Island and featured a total of eight fighter jets: four U.S. F-16s, two Japanese F-2s, and two South Korean F-15Ks.
This training also marks the second trilateral flight this year, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command added, continuing what it called "long-standing defense cooperation" among the allies and providing their ability to respond immediately to unspecified regional security challenges.
"These trilateral exercises reinforce our strong and continually developing relationship, building our collective capability," stated the Hawaii-based U.S. combatant command.
In South Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported that this was the first trilateral air exercise conducted since Lee Jae Myung was sworn in as the country's president earlier this month.
The South Korean air force vowed to continue conducting trilateral war games to enhance cooperation among the three allied nations in deterring North Korea, according to the report.
Regarding the exercise, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stated that it enhanced the air force's tactical skills and strengthened cooperation among the three air forces.
A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off for a trilateral defensive counter-air training at Osan Air Base in South Korea on June 18, 2025.
A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off for a trilateral defensive counter-air training at Osan Air Base in South Korea on June 18, 2025.
Senior Airman Rome Bowermaster/U.S. Air Force
While this trilateral aerial war game did not feature advanced F-35 fighter jets, all three countries operate this type of stealth combat aircraft across the platform's three variants.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement on Wednesday: "Our increasing shared experience fosters trust, strengthens cooperation, and reinforces the collective commitment to maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific."
The South Korean Air Force said in a statement on Wednesday: "The drills were conducted to bolster South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation to deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force said in a press release on Wednesday: "The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted a trilateral training exercise with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of Japan-U.S. Alliance, and to further enhance trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea."
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
What Happens Next
The U.S. and its Northeast Asian allies are likely to conduct further joint military exercises as North Korea continues to advance its military power, both nuclear and conventional.
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