Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

Published Oct. 18, 2022
By Senior Airman Shannon Braaten, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

A CV-22 Osprey with the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies through the air — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, take cover as mock explosives detonate — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, regroup after completing their mission objectives. — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, provides cover during a tactical breach — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, prepare to breach a building — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, watch their sectors of fire — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, position themselves before movement — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, prepares to tactically move forward — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, await other team members — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Combined forces participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, rally together — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, looks onward — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint combined exchange training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, parachutes. — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, watches as parachutes drop from the sky — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) combined forces participating in joint training, practice tactical movements — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

SLIDESHOW | images | Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

A CV-22 Osprey flies through the sky — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

SLIDESHOW | images | Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

A CV-22 Osprey with the 21st Special Operations Squadron approaches a landing zone — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

SLIDESHOW | images | Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

Several operators taking part in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, stack up alongside a vehicle — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, prepare to flank opposing forces — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, seek cover behind a truck — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Operators participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, rapidly move between buildings — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, calls out targets for others — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron strategize during a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, keeps watch after securing a perimeter around a building — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, peeks out behind some barrels — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, sneaks through the tree line — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, parachutes in at dusk — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

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An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces (SOF), parachutes into a pre-designated drop zone — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

SLIDESHOW | images | Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea— Members from several special operations force units took part in a U.S. Special Operations Command-Korea training mission that focused on increasing the combat readiness of the joint forces at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 26, 2022. Participants included the U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 21st Special Operations Squadron, as well as ROK Air Force Combat Control elements and the ROK Navy Special Warfare Flotilla.

The event’s scenario was a nighttime raid, consisting of insertions via CV-22 Osprey and high-altitude, low-opening jumps, mock breaching and clearing of several buildings and rescuing a simulated hostage. 8th Security Forces Squadron members acted as opposing forces to give the operators a more realistic feel.

Combined training missions like this are designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces as well as sharpen the tactics necessary to ensure stability in the Korean Peninsula.

Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, prepares to remove a parachute after landing at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 26, 2022. In a typical HALO jump, the parachutist will jump from the aircraft, free-fall for a period of time at terminal velocity, and open their parachute at an altitude as low as 3,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, parachutes at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 26, 2022. Operators landed near a predesignated drop zone to effectively regroup before commencing their training mission under cover of darkness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, provide simulated medical treatment. — Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

Operators participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, provide simulated medical treatment at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 26, 2022. The training focused on increasing the combined force’s combat readiness, exemplifying the shared commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)

Shadows in the Night: Kunsan hosts combined SOF training

An operator participating in joint training between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces, looks through night vision goggles at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 26, 2022. Operators utilize night vision goggles to operate under the cover of darkness inhibited. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Braaten)