US, S. Korea to hold drill involving 230 aircraft

TOKYO, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- The US and South Korea will stage a joint air force drill next month involving about 230 warfare airplanes, the US Air Force said Friday, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.
The allies will hold the annual airborne exercise from Dec. 4-8, mobilizing 12,000 US personnel, according to the Seventh Air Force in Korea.
"This realistic air combat exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between US and Republic of Korea (South Korea) forces and increase the combat effectiveness of both nations," it said in a statement.
US Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy personnel will train with air assets from South Korea with 230 aircraft at eight US and South Korean military installations, it added.
The US is planning to send six F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to take part in the drill in what is believed to be a move to put maximum pressure on North Korea, according to South Korean military officials.
Earlier this month, three US aircraft carriers conducted a joint naval exercise with the South Korean Navy in an unprecedented show of force against a provocative North Korea. North Korea has long denounced joint military drills between Seoul and Washington as a war rehearsal for a northern invasion. The allies have said that the exercises are defensive in nature. (end) mk.mt