B-1s train with US, ROKAF fighter aircraft

20 February 2025

From Maj. Rachel Buitrago

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers participated in planned bilateral training with Republic of Korea Air Force, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps fighter aircraft in training airspace above South Korea, Feb. 20.

Download

Three fighter jets and a B-1 bomber fly in the gray-blue sky with scattered clouds and the ground below.

SLIDESHOW | images | B-1s train with US, ROKAF fighter aircraft A U.S. Air Force F-16, left, flies in formation with a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, middle, and two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles, during a bilateral training event in airspace over South Korea, Feb. 20, 2025. The bomber, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, is currently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1. (Photo courtesy of ROK Air Force)

One B-1 bomber aircraft, with wings forward, flies in a v-formation with two F-16s on the left and two F-15Ks on the right, over scattered, puffy clouds and a mix of water and small islands.

SLIDESHOW | images | B-1s train with US, ROKAF fighter aircraft A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer flies in the front of a formation with two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, left, and two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles, right, during a bilateral training event above South Korea Feb. 20, 2025. The training helped ensure the combat readiness of combined and joint air assets in the Indo-Pacific theater by building proficiency in aircrew tactics, techniques, and procedures. (Courtesy photo by ROK Air Force).

Two gray fighter jets and a B-1 bomber are shown from the side, in close formation, with a blue sky in the upper background and scatter clouds under the aircraft.

SLIDESHOW | images | B-1s train with US, ROKAF fighter aircraft Two U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons fly alongside a U.S. B-1B Lancer in training airspace above South Korea Feb. 20, 2025. The aircraft participated in combined, joint air interdiction training with Republic of Korea Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps F-35 Lightning IIs, validating the two nations’ combined ability to conduct strikes and operated together in a contested environment. (Photo courtesy of ROK Air Force)

One bomber and four fighter aircraft fly in a v-formation, with another bomber out front, over scattered clouds and ground, with the horizon line at the top of the photo.

SLIDESHOW | images | B-1s train with US, ROKAF fighter aircraft Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers fly in formation with two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles and two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons during bilateral training in airspace above South Korea, Feb. 20, 2025. The B-1s and F-16s conducted precision strike and air interdiction training with four ROKAF F-35As, one more U.S. Air Force F-16, and four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs following the formation flight. (Photo courtesy of ROK Air Force)

Three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, ROK, four ROK Air Force F-35A Lighting IIs from the 17th Fighter Wing, Cheongju Air Base, ROK, and four U.S. Marine F-35B Lightning IIs from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, joined the bombers for simulated precision strike and air interdiction training, validating the two nations’ combined ability to conduct strikes and operated together in a contested environment.

“Advanced training like today’s event ensures we’re able to maintain the high levels of readiness necessary for our combined defense posture,” said Lt. Gen. David Iverson, Seventh Air Force commander. “Each time our aircrew plan, execute and debrief together, we build proficiency in our tactics, techniques and procedures to defend the Alliance, if required.”

The bombers, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, are currently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1. They were escorted into the Korean theater of operations by ROK Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles from the 11th Fighter Wing, Daegu Air Base, ROK.