Defense
The US and South Korean militaries are teaming up for a massive 11-day exercise featuring a large portion of their fighter aircraft fleet.On Monday, Exercise Max Thunder kicked off to "enhance interoperability" between the US and South Korean forces, according to US Pacific Command. The event goes until Apr. 28.
Roughly 1,000 American service members and about 500 South Koreans will take part. The exercise will bring together US Air Force F-16s, Marine AV-8B Harriers, Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and various aircraft from South Korea, to include the F-15K, F-16, F-5E, F-4E, and others.
Although the exercise is regularly scheduled and was planned months ago, North Korea often sees such training events as a prelude to war and responds with threats. On Tuesday, a senior North Korean official called military exercises between its southern neighbor and the US an "aggressive war drill."
The official also warned that "thermonuclear war may break out at any moment."
The US, however, maintains that Max Thunder is a non-threatening training event that will enhance friendship between the South Korean and American personnel.
"This exercise will rigorously test our aerial combat capability and highlights the ironclad commitment between the U.S. and (South Korea), and the multifaceted capabilities we possess in this theater," Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson, 7th Air Force commander, told Yonhap News.