Three F-15K fighter jets of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and two Rafale combat aircraft of the French Air and Space Force conduct a flypast over the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in the Nam-gu District of Busan on July 25. (ROKAF)
By Charles Audouin
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) announced on July 25 that it and the French Air and Space Force had begun joint exercises from the Gimhae Air Base that will continue until July 26.
France has mobilized two Rafale combat aircraft, one A400M transport plane and an A330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft for the drills, while the ROKAF will use three F-15K and two F-16 fighters.
The air forces of both countries have participated in multilateral drills but this is the first time that the two are holding a joint air exercise, according to the ROKAF.
The F-15Ks and Rafales were also used on July 25 to conduct a flypast over the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Nam-gu District of Busan.
The ROKAF stated that this was performed “for commemoration and a reminder of the French participation in the (Korean) war and the alliance.”
Forty-seven French soldiers who fought in the Korean War are buried at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery.
The F-16s and the A330 MRTT held a joint mid-air refueling exercise the same day.
ROKAF pilots and aerial refuelers were on board the A330 MRTT to observe the French crews’ aerial refueling process.
Pilots from both countries also discussed strategies for long-range missions.
The ROKAF said, “Through the joint aerial refueling exercise, we improved understanding of the two countries’ air power and strengthened interoperability.”
The pilots will discuss tactics on July 26 to share their experiences in conducting operations with multinational forces.
Brigadier General Ju Sunggyu (right), commander of the 5th Air Mobility Wing of the ROKAF and Brigadier General Marc Le Bouy, commander of the French Air and Space Force’s ‘PEGASE 23,’ pay tribute on July 25 at the monument for French soldiers who fought in the Korean War, at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in the Nam-gu District of Busan. (ROKAF’s official Facebook)
caudouin@korea.kr
