Image of a South Korean Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taking off from Kunsan Air Base in South Korea participating in Exercise Max Thunder 17.

“Exercise Max Thunder serves as an invaluable opportunity for U.S. and ROKAF forces to train together shoulder-to-shoulder and sharpen tactical skills vital to the defense and security of the Korean Peninsula,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Bergeson, 7th Air Force commander, in a press release. “This exercise will rigorously test our aerial combat capability and highlights the ironclad commitment between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea and the multifaceted capabilities we possess in this theater.” – Air Force Times

Aircraft from the US Navy and Marine Corps also flew in Exercise Max Thunder 17 which is an annual event. Over 1,000 U.S. military personnel participated in the exercise including about 500 troops from the South Korean military.

Featured image by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez, U.S. Marine Corps

South Korean air force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft takes off during Exercise Max Thunder 17