Cross-service maintenance continues in Korea

21 July 2025

From Courtesy Story, 8th Fighter Wing

DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — The 8th Fighter Wing demonstrated an inaugural cross-servicing event, expanding sortie generation interoperability between U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force, June 11 at Daegu Air Base, ROK.

Download

The U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force participate in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft cross-servicing effort at Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2025. The intent of this cross-servicing event was to develop and mature the capabilities of the two allies to recover, service and launch each other’s aircraft in support of combat air operations. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo.)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing takes off at Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2025. This aircraft was flown to DAB by Col. Kathryn “Wolf” Gaetke, 8th FW commander, where Republic of Korea Air Force maintainers from the 38th Fighter Group serviced the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo.)

Members from the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group pose for a photo on the flightline at Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2025. The U.S. Air Force and ROKAF teams performed cross-servicing and expanded sortie generation interoperability between each other to develop and mature the capabilities of the two allies. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo.)

Members of the Republic of Korea Air Force refuel a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a cross-servicing interoperability event between the U.S. Air Force and ROKAF at Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2025. Col. Kathryn “Wolf” Gaetke, 8th FW commander, led a flight of two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to DAB where ROKAF maintainers from the 38th Fighter Group received and serviced the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo.)

This maintenance cross-servicing effort develops and matures the capabilities of the two allies to recover, service and launch each other’s aircraft in support of combat air operations.

“It was an honor to witness the professionalism and dedication of the 38th FG during this mission,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Kathryn “Wolf” Gaetke, 8th Fighter Wing commander. “This is only the start – we will continue to seize opportunities this year to sharpen our tactics and deepen our bonds with the ROKAF.”

Wolf led a flight of two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to DAB, where ROKAF maintainers from the 38th Fighter Group received and serviced the aircraft. Events like this deepen the ties between the two services and strengthen the alliance.

The first cross-servicing demonstration occurred on October 18, 2024 at Kunsan Air Base, and was refined throughout the year between the ROKAF’s 38th FG and the U.S. Air Force’s 8th Maintenance Group, providing a blueprint for expansion across the region.

Col. Blair “Phoenix” Byrem, 8th MXG commander, credited the success of the operation to the skill of his ROKAF counterpart, Lt. Col. Lee “Lion” Ho Geol and the flexibility of the bilateral team members, who caught and turned the aircraft.

“I am immensely grateful to Lion for taking the lead and allowing the Wolf Pack to support the ROKAF in this event—it was flawlessly executed,” said Phoenix.

The continued focus on interoperability between ROKAF and USAF units is vital to bringing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.