"Freedom Flag," S. Korea and U.S. large-scale joint air exercise kicks off its two-week run

South Korea and the U.S.' joint large-scale air drill the "Freedom Flag", began its two-week journey this week.

Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyung had a chance to get a closer look.

Fighter jets fly through the air, making thunderous sounds.

This, as part of South Korea and the U.S.' large-scale joint air power exercise the "Freedom Flag" at Gwangju Air Base.

Held two times in a year, combining "Korea Flying Training"과 "Vigilant Defense, " this over two-week journey began on Thursday.

Aiming to advance combined air power capabilities, while improving interoperability between pilots from both countries, the 24-hour operating Mission Planning Cell organizes the exercise, for pilots to embark on their missions.

Approximately 11-hundred personnel join the drill, and more than 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles such as U.S. MQ-9, take part in the event.

"This drill will serve as a chance to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance our joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields."

Another notable part is that the drill will also be based on complex scenarios against a high-level simulated threat, involving an advanced stealth jet.

"This is a U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B, one of the U.S. stealth fighter jets that came from Japan. Along with ROK F-35As,. these fifth-generation jets will play the role of "red air" enemy aircraft for the first time during the exercise."

"By putting a stealth fighter, our most capable, on the red side, it gives our pilots, our airbound managers, everyone involved, a more difficult problem to try and solve. So, by going against a capable threat, we're just enhancing our own capability through these missions."

By carrying out high-level air-to-air combat missions, and working side by side, South Korea and the U.S. expect bolstered trust, building upon the alliance.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gwangju.