U.S., Korean air forces rumble forward in Max Thunder 11-1

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KWANGJU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Republic of Korea Air Force and U.S. Air Force hosted a massive, regular joint exercise here May 21 to 27 to sharpen their ability to work together in a simulated war-time environment.

"Max Thunder is the only exercise we have on the peninsula that allows for both [Korean] and U.S. airmen to not only fly together, but plan, brief and debrief together," said Maj. Bill Maclin, Seventh Air Force chief of training. "This really allows the alliance to grow stronger to enhance all of our operational capabilities as well as enhance the interoperability and communication among our air forces."

The exercise, held annually, provided bilateral training to more than 320 personnel from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base and the 51st Fighter Wing and 7th AF at Osan Air Base.

"Over the last few years, the U.S. has really gotten used to hosting large force exercises like Red Flag," said Maj. T.J. Lowe, 36th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations at Osan AB. "Max Thunder allows ROKAF the experience in hosting international exercises."

Max Thunder is the largest bilateral exercise on the Korean peninsula. It allows USAF and ROKAF personnel the experience of working together in one mission.

"They can see how the U.S. operates on a much bigger scale," Major Lowe said. "It enhances our ability if we ever have to go north."

Though the U.S. and ROK weren't the only nations in attendance, the Royal Australian Air Force sent representatives to observe how operations between the Koreans and Americans.
 
"We were invited to take a look at this world-class exercise hosted by the ROKAF," said Sq. Ldr. Anthony D'Alessandro, HQ RAAF Air Command exercise planning officer. "It's excellent to see the exceptional interactions and high caliber of professionalism between the Air Force and ROKAF. It's clear the process is similar to what we use back home."
 
"We appreciate the invitation to observe this excellent exercise," Squadron Leader D'Allessandro added.

And excellent it was for more than just the aircrew and operations officers, as the maintainers also had the opportunity to work alongside their counterparts from ROKAF.

"Our mission here is to help them understand how to accept follow on forces," said Master Sgt. Jerry Thomas, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron night shift production supervisor. "This gives them the best equipment and training to help them succeed. Though our mission is the same as back home -- to make sure jets are ready to launch at a moment's notice."

Senior Airman Sterling Williams, 35th Fighter Squadron aviation resource management, said, however, that exercises like Max Thunder also allow U.S. forces the opportunity to learn as well. "It sets us up for success and helps us understand their procedures so we can better coordinate efforts," he said.

Working alongside their Kunsan brothers and sisters, Airmen from Osan AB assigned to the 621st Air Control Squadron said the exercise meant greater communication of operational capabilities and helped facilitate professional development and growth.

"I think it's a great opportunity for ROKAF and Air Force personnel to practice exactly what we would do in case of a real world threat," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Harris, 621st ACS weapons director at Osan AB. "If we don't practice together now it would be more difficult if a real world event were to happen." 

Major Maclin said Max Thunder, along with Buddy Wing and several other bilateral exercises on the peninsula, is right in line with the 7th AF training plan.
 
"These allow for our two fighter wings in the 7th AF and for the ROKAF wings to train alongside one another," he said. "This increases the interoperability of our coalition forces on the peninsula."