US explores possibility of permanent deployment of F-35A stealth jets to S. Korea

F-35A fighter jets maneuver at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 25, 2024, during the Armed Forces Day media event marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Korea Times file

The U.S. military is considering permanently stationing fifth-generation F-35A stealth fighters at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and to counter China’s regional influence.

Local reports say the U.S. plans to initially deploy one squadron to the base in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, with the possibility of rotating an additional squadron through the base.

U.S. Forces Korea’s (USFK) fleet of fourth-generation F-16 fighters will be consolidated at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, while Kunsan Air Base will host the newer F-35As.

The Republic of Korea Air Force is reportedly considering stationing an additional 20 F-35As — scheduled for introduction by 2027 — at Kunsan, potentially enabling U.S. and South Korean F-35s to operate jointly from the same location.

Currently, the U.S. 7th Air Force has F-16 squadrons stationed at Kunsan’s 8th Fighter Wing and Osan’s 36th Fighter Squadron. However, these F-16s are being relocated entirely to Osan Air Base.

Last July, the 7th Air Force announced the creation of its first “super squadron” at Osan, consolidating 31 F-16s previously stationed at Kunsan. This week, it announced plans to move the remaining F-16s from Kunsan to Osan to establish a second super squadron. When the transition is complete by October, Osan will host 62 F-16s, with no F-16s remaining at Kunsan.

The 7th Air Force said the reorganization aims to assess the combat effectiveness of concentrating aircraft and personnel into larger formations. Despite these moves, Kunsan will continue to serve as a key site for U.S. Air Force training and rotational deployments.

“Kunsan exemplifies readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Our airmen here at the Wolf Pack demonstrate daily what it means to be forward-deployed and ready to fight tonight,” said Col. Peter Kasarskis, commander of the 8th Fighter Wing.

The relocation of F-16s appears closely tied to the potential deployment of an F-35A wing to Kunsan. Typically, a fighter wing consists of two squadrons, with each squadron comprising about 20 aircraft.

Although U.S. F-35As have been temporarily deployed to the Korean Peninsula during joint exercises, this would mark the first permanent squadron-level deployment of the advanced jets in the country. A USFK spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

The ROK Air Force currently operates 39 F-35As, all based at Cheongju Air Base in North Chungcheong Province. The next batch of 20 F-35As is expected to become operational starting in 2027.

“The additional fighter jets to be procured under the second phase of the F-35A program will be deployed to effectively defend the Republic of Korea,” a ROK Air Force spokesperson said. “We cannot disclose detailed plans regarding the deployment of key assets.”

The F-35A, capable of stealthy penetration into enemy territory, forms a key component of South Korea’s so-called “Kill Chain” strategy aimed at preemptively neutralizing North Korea’s nuclear and missile assets.