Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

U.S. Air Force Bapt. Ethan “Bantan” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs a high-intensity aerial maneuver in an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing during Osan Air Power Days 2025, May 11, 2025, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The PACAF Demonstration Team, based out of Misawa Air Base, Japan, flew combat-coded 51st Fighter Wing F-16s to showcase the agility and combat capabilities of 7th Air Force assets committed to defending the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Kippun Sumner)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron perform a demonstration during Osan Air Power Days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. The flight marked the final public appearance of the A-10 in the Republic of Korea, drawing thousands of attendees to witness the aircraft's iconic close air support role one last time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

An A-10 weapons demonstration highlights munitions loading and arming procedures during Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. The demonstration showcased the A-10’s close air support role as part of the 51st Fighter Wing’s public air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

Republic of Korea Air Force and U.S. Air Force 51st Security Forces Squadron personnel welcome visitors at the entrance of Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. The joint security presence highlighted the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance while ensuring the safe arrival of thousands of attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles perform aerial maneuvers during Osan Air Power Days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. Their performance demonstrated expert precision flying and highlighted the strength of the U.S.-ROK partnership as thousands of attendees looked on. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

A U.S. Air Force military working dog and their handler assigned to the 51st Security Forces Squadron stand guard at the entrance of Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. The team ensured safety and security for thousands of attendees during the final day of the two-day air show hosted by the 51st Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles perform aerial maneuvers during Osan Air Power Days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. During the aerial demonstration, the Black Eagles performed a variety of complex maneuvers including the Roll Back and Afterburner Loop, a four-ship Double Helix, Typhoon Landing, and more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

An A-10 weapons demonstration highlights munitions loading and arming procedures during Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 10, 2025. The demonstration was part of the 51st Fighter Wing’s public air show showcasing U.S. and allied capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Air Power Days Returns to Osan

Published May 12, 2025
By Senior Airman Sarah Williams
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The 51st Fighter Wing hosted Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, May 10-11, welcoming more than 48,575 attendees throughout the weekend. The event aimed to strengthen ties with the local community, celebrate allied partnerships, and highlight the capabilities that support regional deterrence and defense.
Team Osan welcomed Department of Defense personnel, their families, and members of the local Korean community for two days of aerial demonstrations and static aircraft displays. The event highlighted the enduring ROK-U.S. alliance and showcased combined airpower capabilities.

For the last several decades, Team Osan has stood watch over the peninsula, working relentlessly with our Korean wingmen to maintain peace and stability. We’re excited to showcase a little bit of that and all the hard work that goes into it as well as what it means for us to be ready to Fight Tonight.

Col. William McKibban, 51st FW commander

The 51st Fighter Wing partnered with joint U.S. forces and the Republic of Korea Air Force to showcase a wide variety of airpower capabilities. Attendees toured more than 20 static displays and witnessed special performances from the ROKAF Black Eagles Aerobatics Team, the Pacific Air Force F-16 Demonstration Team, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

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Osan Air Power Days 2025 airshow video. Acts include the Black Eagles, PACAF F-16 Demo Team, A-10 Ground Load demonstration, A-10 flying demonstration, and an F-35 demonstration.

“Osan Air Base has a pivotal role here in South Korea, but also in the Pacific Theater,” said U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibben, 51st Fighter Wing commander. “For the last several decades, Team Osan has stood watch over the peninsula, working relentlessly with our Korean wingmen to maintain peace and stability. We’re excited to showcase a little bit of that and all the hard work that goes into it as well as what it means for us to be ready to Fight Tonight.”

This year’s event marked the first air show at Osan in six years and celebrated the theme “Respect the Past, Forge the Future”. The theme honored decades of alliance and looked forward to continued innovation in regional defense. A key highlight was the close air support demonstration by the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commemorating the aircraft’s decades-long legacy in Korean defense.

“The A-10 has a significant history supporting the defense of many nations, but the 25th Fighter Squadron uniquely focused on missions specific to Korea,” said Lt. Col. Justin Davis, 25th Fighter Squadron commander. “We have a very deep passion and pride in the mission of defending South Korea and are very proud to have served alongside our ROKAF counterparts so long. We look forward to showing everyone the close support mission of the A-10 and the mission it has been supporting for decades.”

Through dynamic demonstrations and displays, Osan Air Power Days 2025 celebrated airpower heritage while showcasing Team Osan’s enduring commitment to peace, partnership, and the defense of the Republic of Korea’s 51 million citizens. The 51st Fighter Wing looks forward to continuing this tradition and building lasting bonds with the community it serves.

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron perform a demonstration during Osan Air Power Days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. The appearance marked a significant moment as the aircraft made its final public appearance on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)

Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan

Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles perform aerial maneuvers during Osan Air Power Days at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 11, 2025. Their performance demonstrated expert precision flying and highlighted the strength of the U.S.-ROK partnership as thousands of attendees looked on. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tallon Bratton)