By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton, 51st Fighter Wing Public
Affairs / Published October 23, 2015
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- A bilateral exercise
involving combat search and rescue drills ended Oct. 23 after nearly two weeks
of constant training between U.S. and South Korean forces.
Exercise Pacific Thunder 15-02 brought together units from
the Air Force, Marines and South Korean air force to practice air combat and
CSAR by focusing on enhancing interoperability and combat readiness of the
military alliance across the Korean Peninsula.
"This exercise helps us bring together assets who would
be involved and integrated into a real world CSAR mission," said Capt.
Jerrod Dillon, the 25th Fighter Squadron flight safety officer. "It also
gives U.S. forces a chance to integrate and execute with our ROKAF (Republic of
Korea Air Force) counterparts, further building the combined force proficiency
and readiness, while simultaneously improving relations between our two
militaries."
Pacific Thunder is a total-process exercise, encompassing
nearly all aspects of communication, coordination, command and control, mission
planning, and execution.
"By taking a look at current tactics and procedures,
practicing and refining those, and then exercising the system as realistically
as possible we are able to provide a world-class training opportunity to
everyone involved," Dillon said. "We are getting realistic training
that's in line with how we would fight."
More than 10 different organizations and squadrons came
together to participate in the most recent exercise.
"In size and scope, it's rapidly approaching
large-force-exercise levels, but I think it's unique in that it's primarily
planned and executed on a squadron or tactical level," Dillon said.
"What we do locally during these missions directly impacts the big Air
Force mission. The knowledge and experience gained while participating in this
exercise is spread throughout the rest of the Air Force as people move on from
Korea, carrying that knowledge with them."
Working closely with all players on a bi-annual basis builds
individual proficiency and increases the total-force capability of all
participants, he added.
"I'm excited to be a part of this exercise, especially
since we are working closely with the (South) Korean air force," said
Senior Airman Jacob Ricker, a 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief
from Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Pacific Thunder highlights the longstanding military
partnership, commitment and enduring friendship between the two nations. It
helps ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and reaffirm the U.S.
commitment to stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
"It's all about the CSAR," Dillon said.
"Aircraft can be replaced but it's much harder to replace the pilot who
could have many years of training and experience. This exercise ensures we are
ready to do the CSAR mission whenever called upon."
Posts
