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US, ROK air forces send clear message during Max Thunder

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  From Oct. 25 to Nov. 2, the Wolf Pack flew day and night missions side by side with the Republic of Korea Air Force during exercise Max Thunder 12-2.

This bilateral training exercise ended Nov. 2 with a conclusion supported by leaders from both countries: should any enemy decide to attack, the Korea Airpower Team is ready to fight tonight.

Scenarios during the exercise sharpened many tactical skills: defensive counter-air, air-to-air and surface-to-air threats, combat search and rescue, and more.

Each piece of the puzzle, from planning scenarios to maintaining aircraft to completing aerial missions, was a joint effort to make this large-force exercise as realistic as possible.

"In this world, cultures tend to divide instead of unite us. This week, we demonstrated that we have a common culture -- the culture of warriors," said Col. James Sturgeon, 8th Operations Group commander. "True integration happens on a personal level. What we did this week is the beginning of that -- briefing and debriefing face to face, learning lessons and making each other better. We sent a clear signal to North Korea that we mean business."

Throughout Max Thunder, zero sorties out of nearly 240 were lost to preventable causes. Maintainers, who already work around the clock when not in exercise mode, made this possible by keeping up their high pace of operations. Both pilots and maintainers from the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed here from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, integrated into the exercise's American forces.

There were up to 44 jets in the air at any time and 90 percent of the aircrew flew at least twice. Both the ROKAF and USAF contributed 34 aircraft each. U.S. Airmen flew F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10C Thunderbolt IIs while ROKAF airmen flew F-4E Phantom IIs, F-15K Slam Eagles and F-5E Tiger IIs among others.

"I was surprised by the range and depth of knowledge from my counterparts, and it was a huge learning experience for me," said Col. Ahn Duk Sin, ROKAF 29th Fighter Group commander. "We had qualms about deploying into a foreign fighter wing, but all the support aspects were very well established. This year's Max Thunder was a welcome opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our airpower in defending the Republic of Korea."

The commanders also felt it was a welcome opportunity to refine the process of working closely as one team.

"We as Airmen have to practice together like any world-class team," said Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, United States Forces Korea deputy commander and 7th Air Forces commander. "Teams who win the World Series or Super Bowl are the best because they train hard for the big game."

"But we're not in a game, and what we do is deadly serious," he added. "For us, there is no second place and there is no next year. We fly, we fight, and we win -- every time."

This was the ninth Max Thunder since the combined exercise started in 2008. The next one will be hosted by the ROKAF early next year. Future Max Thunder exercises may include more assets and personnel from off the peninsula.