EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Airmen assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron and 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, are participating in RED FLAG-Alaska 19-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
The 25th FS contributed their A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft to the large-scale exercise, which is held several times each year and designed to provide participants with realistic joint operational experience in a controlled environment.
“RED FLAG provides the United States an opportunity to combine air and ground mission sets, complete an integrated large-scale tactical vulnerability period with our coalition partners and demonstrates our commitment to the Indo-Pacific region,” said Col. Jesse Friedel, 51st Fighter Wing vice commander and RED FLAG-Alaska 19-2 deployed forces commander. “Integration of our joint capabilities allows us to learn from one another and maintains our readiness for any military challenges.”
Members of the Republic of Korea Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Thai Air Force train alongside their U.S. counterparts enabling all involved to share tactics, techniques, procedures and improve bilateral integration.
“RF-A is a multinational flying event, and the 25th is here to capitalize on that,” said 1st Lt. Dae-hyuc “Duck” Yim, a pilot assigned to the 25th FS. “It’s great to see how everyone works because every military is different based on mission needs. We get a look at how they operate, issues they face and how we can work together to accomplish our goals.”
On the maintenance side, the exercise gives maintenance teams the experience needed working under different conditions in a fast-paced environment.
“We get a little bit more pressure here, so we learn to work with it and still get our mission done,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Griese, a dedicated crew chief assigned to the 51st AMXS. “We always have to remember to continue and keep doing things correctly the first time, and this keeps us on our toes.”
As Team Osan members work with coalition partners to get their mission done in Alaska, exercises like RF-A ensure U.S. forces are ready to face evolving challenges in the region and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.