United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Europe
New Zealand
Canada
Airmen from the 51st Fighter Wing trained alongside Republic of Korea Air Force personnel during Buddy Squadron 26-3 at Jungwon Air Base, Republic of Korea, from July 13 to 16.
The combined exchange is designed to bolster interoperability and reinforce the U.S.-ROK alliance through integrated air operations. Over four days, U.S. and ROKAF pilots, maintainers, and support teams worked together to refine tactics, techniques and procedures while strengthening the professional relationships essential to joint missions. This iteration emphasized air-to-air training to raise combined readiness and sharpen coordinated execution.
“Our primary goals were interoperability, relationship building and improving how we operate together,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Van Velzer, 36th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. “If we are going to execute the defense of the Korean Peninsula, it will be as a coalition. It’s important that we train together so we can speak the same language when it comes to tactics and operations.”
With six F-16 Fighting Falcons deployed from Osan Air Base, the effort demanded significant coordination across operations, maintenance and support organizations to sustain flying away from home station. “There’s a significant personal and operational cost to taking aircraft off station,” stated Van Velzer. “Our maintenance, operations and support teams carried much of that burden to ensure the mission was successful.”
Van Velzer highlighted the partnership with the ROKAF’s 161st Fighter Squadron throughout the exchange. “They were incredible hosts,” expressed Van Velzer. “They were excellent to work with and did everything they could to make sure flying operations went as smoothly as possible despite language barriers.”
Exercises like Buddy Squadron offer realistic, integrated training that strengthens interoperability, enhances combined preparedness for future contingencies, and underscores the enduring alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
