US F-35 fighter jets deployed to Korea for key summertime drills

This photo shows the F-35B, left, and F-35A fighter jets on display at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, May 9. Yonhap

U.S. F-35 fighter jets have been deployed to the Korean Peninsula to join the ongoing summertime combined exercise between Korea and the U.S., an official at U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday.

The deployment of reportedly some 10 F-35 variants comes as the allies' annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise is under way for an 11-day run that will conclude Thursday.

Both the F-35A and F-35B, respectively assigned to the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps, have been deployed to Kunsan Air Base under the temporary deployment, according to the USFK official.

During their deployment, the U.S. fighter jets were set to train with Korean counterparts, with a focus on defensive counterair maneuvers and strengthening integrity, to enhance their combined readiness and deter potential threats in the region.

Both considered key U.S. air assets, the F-35A operates from traditional runways with greater range and payload for strike and air superiority, while the F-35B is capable of flexible operations from ships or austere bases based on its short takeoff and vertical landing capability.

The temporary deployment is seen as efforts to strengthen the allies' combined defense posture, with USFK Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson recently remarking on how the rotational deployment of fifth-generation fighter jets can help ease gaps incurred by the relocation of U.S. Patriot batteries to the Middle East.

Speaking to reporters on Aug. 8, Brunson emphasized the importance of prioritizing "capabilities" over "numbers," as he underscored the need for a change in the USFK force posture.

On the possibility of the permanent deployment or regular rotational deployment of the F-35 variants in Korea, the USFK official said the force is continually assessing the capability-focused approach, adding any change to force posture will be announced through appropriate channels.