South Korea, US hold joint aerial resupply drills to strengthen wartime readiness

South Korea and the US conducted joint aerial resupply drills on Tuesday to strengthen their ability to deliver military equipment and supplies when ground transport routes are disrupted during wartime, the allies' combined forces said.

Led by the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), the exercise focused on rapid airborne logistics operations using military transport aircraft, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a CFC statement.

The drills involved airdropping heavy military equipment and lighter supplies from altitudes exceeding 3,000 metres, including round-the-clock operations under varying conditions.

The CFC said the exercise aimed to improve the survivability of transport aircraft and increase the recovery rate of airdropped supplies by ground forces.

Participating units included South Korea's Army Special Warfare Command, 1st Logistics Support Command and Air Force Air Mobility and Reconnaissance Command, along with the South Korea-US Combined Division.

A CFC official said the allies planned to expand future drills to include transport drones and other equipment to adapt to evolving battlefield conditions.

South Korea and the US regularly hold joint military exercises to improve interoperability and readiness against potential security threats.

North Korea has repeatedly condemned the drills as rehearsals for an invasion, while Seoul and Washington insist they are defensive in nature.

The US maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea under a longstanding bilateral security alliance.

TRT World / Anadolu Agency — TRT World / Anadolu Agency

Photo: Reuters