The U.S. Air Force is set to significantly increase its operational presence near North Korea by deploying over two dozen additional Air Force F-16 Fighter Aircraft to Osan Air Base in South Korea. This move will establish a second “super squadron” at the base, further centralizing the Air Force’s tactical aviation footprint on the peninsula.
Located approximately 50 miles south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Osan Air Base will welcome 31 additional F-16 “Vipers” along with 1,000 Airmen. This personnel and aircraft transfer from Kunsan Air Base to the southwest is scheduled to commence in October. This latest expansion builds on the “Super Squadron” initiative first launched last year.
The initial phase of the initiative saw nine F-16s moved from Kunsan to Osan, increasing Osan’s F-16 fleet to 31. With the recent approval from Air Force Chief of Staff David W. Allvin, the base’s F-16 count is now slated to double with the standup of the second super squadron.
“This temporary change allows us to test and validate force generation capabilities on the Korean peninsula, ultimately fostering a more lethal, ready air component,” Allvin stated in a post on X. He added that the Super Squadron test aims to boost sortie generation and combat capability while simultaneously enhancing readiness and responsiveness.
Seventh Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson described the initiative as a “success” thus far. Consolidating the F-16s at Osan is intended to facilitate further testing and refinement of the Super Squadron structure.
“The past months of data reveal that we’re on the right track and the consolidated, larger unit has shown some increases in readiness and combat capability, while also exposing some challenges,” Iverson noted. While Air Force officials indicate no permanent decisions have been made regarding the long-term arrangement, the exact duration of this expanded experiment has not been specified.
The Air Force Personnel Center is preparing to issue assignment updates for the affected Airmen in the coming weeks. Lt. Col. Aaron Tissot, Seventh Air Force director of manpower, personnel, and services, emphasized the goal is to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for personnel throughout the process.
The consolidation also coincides with Osan Air Base’s planned phasing out of its 24 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, which have been stationed in Korea since the early 1980s. Without the A-10s, Osan would have been left with only one squadron of aircraft, highlighting the significance of the F-16 reinforcements. The initial F-16 transfer last summer was initially planned for a one-year duration. This upcoming second phase will continue to assess readiness, training benefits, and logistical requirements on a larger scale. The concept behind the Super Squadrons is to provide benefits in readiness and training while aiming to reduce overall manpower and logistic support requirements. This aligns with Allvin’s stated goal to decrease excess infrastructure and logistical demands across the Air Force and reinvest the resulting savings.
After thorough analysis, Osan was deemed best equipped to support the housing and logistical needs of the additional personnel required for the Super Squadron test. This was based on its recent experience supporting similar personnel requirements during Kunsan’s runway construction project in 2023.
The nine additional F-16s already operating with Osan’s 36th Fighter Squadron have supported numerous joint missions. This included participation in the recent Freedom Shield exercise in March, engaging in live-fly portions focused on air interdiction, close air support, static and dynamic targeting, and combat air patrols. Many of these current U.S. fighter aircraft also participated in an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise, deploying to an alternate base to rehearse the unit’s ability to quickly maneuver forces across the region while maintaining combat flying operations. Such exercises are crucial for evaluating the capabilities of a single seat fighter aircraft like the F-16 in various scenarios, differentiating its role from, for example, the function of a fighter aircraft vs attack aircraft. The strategic repositioning is part of a broader effort to enhance the flexibility and responsiveness of U.S. air power in the Indo-Pacific.
alt: Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons parked on the tarmac at Osan Air Base in South Korea
The upcoming transfer will significantly reduce the number of operational aircraft at Kunsan. Assuming the nine jets previously moved remain at Osan, the addition of 31 more would leave Kunsan with a considerably smaller fleet. Despite this, the host 8th Fighter Wing plans to continue operating as a primary exercise and rotational force bed-down location for U.S. air component forces in the Republic of Korea.
“We acknowledge this is a major shift in how we operate here at Kunsan,” commented Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th Fighter Wing commander. “We’ll meet this change with the same warfighter mindset the Wolf Pack has maintained through our history, and strengthen our ability to accept follow-on forces, defend the base, and take the fight north.”
The wing also intends to maintain active flightline operations and facilities, as well as war reserve material and munitions, at multiple locations across the country. This ensures continued operational readiness despite the reduction in permanently stationed aircraft. The Air Force F-16 Fighter Aircraft remains a cornerstone of tactical air power, and understanding developments like this deployment provides insight into the evolving strategies of air forces globally, including considerations around what constitutes the world best aircraft fighter or the overall world fighter aircraft landscape.
alt: An air force f-16 fighter aircraft taking off from Osan Air Base in South Korea
In conclusion, the U.S. Air Force’s decision to consolidate a large portion of its Korean-based F-16 fleet at Osan Air Base by establishing a second Super Squadron marks a significant tactical shift. This move is intended to test and validate new operational structures aimed at increasing readiness and combat capability, while also supporting broader goals of optimizing resources. The transfer will reshape the operational landscape at both Osan and Kunsan bases as the Air Force continues to adapt its posture on the peninsula.
