The United States and South Korea started one of their biggest combined military air drills on Monday. Legions of fighter planes from both sides are demonstrating mock attacks 24 hours a day.
In a statement issued last week, the US Air Force said that the operation is given the name Vigilant Storm which will continue until Friday. The operation will have about 240 warplanes conducting about 1,600 sorties. It also added that this number of missions is the highest ever for this annual event.
North Korea retaliates to military drills by the US and South Korea
North Korea has interpreted the joint drills as a practice for invasion and a mark of antagonistic policies. Seeing this as a hostile act, North Korea has also launched missiles, operated air drills, and shot artillery into the sea, in retaliation.
However, the US and South Korea maintain that such drills are imperative to answer prospective threats from North Korea. Notably, the mock drills by the allies are often happening at a time when Pyongyang has launched the highest number of missiles this year and also has prepared itself to start nuclear testing for the first time since 2017.
Among other aircraft, Vigilant Storm will feature F-35 stealth fighter variants from the US and South Korea. For the exercises, Australia will also send out aerial refueling aircraft.
In their statement on the ongoing drills, US Air Force said, “(South Korea) and U.S. Air Forces will work together with the joint services to perform major air missions such as close air support, defensive counter air, and emergency air operations 24 hours a day during the training period. Support forces on the ground will also train their base defense procedures and survivability in case of attack.”
The 12-day Hoguk 22 field exercises, which included some drills with American forces and included mock amphibious landings and river crossings, were completed by South Korean troops on Friday.
North Korea warns allies to stop military drills
North Korea has now demanded the United States and South Korea end these military drills, warning that such exercises provoke the country to take “more powerful follow-up measures”.
The North Korean news agency KCNA quoted the foreign ministry’s statement, saying, “The situation in the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity have entered the serious confrontation phase of power again due to the ceaseless and reckless military moves of the U.S. and South Korea.”
