US Holds Joint Bombing Drills In South Korea For First Time In 7 Years

The last such bomber drill by the United States within South Korea was 7 years ago, in 2017, and is being held amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

SEOUL - The United States and South Korea held joint bombing drills with at least one B-1B bomber on Wednesday for the first time in 7 years, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

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During the drills, the B-1B dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions as they were escorted by South Korean fighter jets. South Korean F-15Ks also participated in the live-fire bomber drills along with U.S. F-35B and F-16 jets.

The statement did not mention the number of American B-1B bombers participating in the exercise which took place amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea.

The last such bomber drill by the United States within South Korea was 7 years ago, in 2017, and is being held shortly after North Korea sent a large number of trash and feces-filled balloons into South Korea, and as Pyongyang recently carried out GPS jamming attacks on the South.

The South Korean defense ministry said, "Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, this exercise took place with a focus on implementing the U.S. extended deterrence commitment and strengthening the combined defense posture". 

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