Exercise Pacific Thunder 16-2 kicks off with CSAR scenarios

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

ROK and U.S. Air Forces kicked-off Exercise Pacific Thunder July 11, 2016, an annual combined combat search and rescue exercise focused on enhancing the combat readiness of U.S. and ROK air forces through combined combat search and rescue training.

 
This two-week long exercise is designed to train aircrews and commanders to validate tactics, techniques and procedures used for combat search and rescue and suppression of enemy air defense. The exercise will include A-10s and F-16s from the 51st Fighter Wing; F-16s from the 8th Fighter Wing; HH-60 Pave Hawks, E-3 AWACS, and an RC-135 from the 18th Wing; and U-2s from 7th Air Force alongside more than 200 ROKAF personnel and ROKAF 22 aircraft.
 
Exercise Pacific Thunder is part of a continuous exercise program to enhance interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces and is not tied to any current real-world or specific threats. Combined ROKAF and USAF exercises like Pacific Thunder, Vigilant Ace and Max Thunder highlight the longstanding military partnership, commitment and enduring friendship between the two nations, help to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.