DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Fighter squadrons across the Korean Peninsula routinely participate in Buddy Wings to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and Republic of Korea air forces.

For Buddy Wing 16-7, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 36th Fighter Squadron traveled to Daegu Air Base to train with F-15K Slam Eagle pilots from the ROKAF’s 11th Fighter Wing from Aug. 8-12.

“It was a great opportunity to practice combined training with the 36th Fighter Squadron,” said ROKAF Capt. Chon, Hun Min, 11th FW F-15k pilot. “It was also a great experience to be able to train between the F-15K and F-16 heterogeneously.”

This Buddy Wing provided an opportunity to bring different cultures together to practice the planning and execution of flying training missions.

“There were some differences in the capabilities of the F-15s and F-16s that we had to work through, because we tactically employ our weapon systems differently,” said Capt. Ryan Pebler, 36th FS pilot. “Figuring out the differences there and how we can operate together is one thing we really honed in on.”

Now that the pilots of Buddy Wing 16-7 have integrated, formed bonds and evolved through Buddy Wing, they look to the future for RED FLAG-Alaska.

RED FLAG is a Pacific Air Forces exercise that provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

“Flying with them and getting to know them on a personal level and a tactical level will definitely help us integrate more as we get down there,” said Pebler. “We know them by name now, and we can work together without the bubble we might’ve had before. I definitely think that will help us be successful at RED FLAG.”

Pebler discussed some strategies to ensure the ROK-U.S. Alliance showcased at RED FLAG, such as Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Air Interdiction (AI).

With the 36th FS and 11th FW holding a strong presence in the Pacific Region through their teamwork, they’re ready to showcase that in a wider-known exercise like RED FLAG, further solidifying 67 years of partnership between the United States and ROK.

Thanks to Buddy Wing 16-7, the 36th FS and 11th FW are ready to demonstrate their teamwork and capabilities at RED FLAG, further enhancing over 60 years of partnership between the United States and ROK.