The U.S. 7th Air Force in South Korea will deploy nine F-16 Fighting Falcons to Osan Air Base to test a “super squadron” concept. The aircraft, together with 150 aircrews and combat support personnel, will deploy from Kunsan Air Base, where the 8th Fighter Wing operates.
The F-16s will bring the number of aircraft assigned to Osan’s 36th Fighter Squadron to 31.
“This test is an opportunity for us to see if squadrons of this size increase our training effectiveness while also increasing our combat capability if deterrence fails,” said Lt. Gen. David. R. Iverson, commander of the 7th AF and deputy commander of United States Forces Korea.
The super squadron will spend the next 12 months evaluating the impact of the larger military unit on aircraft maintenance, sortie generation, manpower and logistics. The formation also aims to enhance combat capability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. 7th Air Force oversees peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. It recently welcomed Iverson as its new commander, replacing Lt. Gen. Scott L. Pleus.