On Monday, the South Korean Air Force launched the 2024 Second Half Soaring Eagle training exercise to enhance practical response procedures for localized provocations and full-scale war scenarios. The exercise, held at Cheongju Air Base, will continue through Friday. The Air Force has deployed dozens of aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters, to strengthen air combat capabilities and prepare for hybrid warfare.
Soaring Eagle is a large-scale aerial comprehensive training exercise conducted solely by the South Korean Air Force. It has been held twice annually since 2008 to develop the tactical capabilities of various aircraft and improve combat proficiency. This year’s Soaring Eagle features over 60 aircraft, including the F-35A, F-15K, (K)F-16, FA-50, and F-5 fighter jets, the KA-1 light attack, and control aircraft, the E-737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and the KC-330 multipurpose aerial refueling tanker. Approximately 190 personnel are also participating.
The training simulates scenarios of enemy localized provocations and full-scale war. Divided into friendly (Blue Air) and adversary (Red Air) forces, the Air Force creates a realistic combat environment for the exercise.
Air combat forces will conduct round-the-clock operations, including defensive counter-air (DCA) missions, to detect and intercept enemy air threats at long range through coordinated efforts between friendly air and ground forces. They will also execute air interdiction (AI) missions to delay or preemptively strike enemy attack points, eliminate threats, and conduct urgent air denial (X-INT) operations to protect friendly forces and populated areas from enemy attacks in real-time.
Notably, the newly established Space Operations Squadron, formed in June, will participate in the X-INT training, practicing emergency target processing procedures using national reconnaissance satellites. Multipurpose satellites will monitor and photograph potential enemy threats while the Space Operations Squadron analyzes the imagery to identify targets requiring a response. Based on this intelligence, friendly airborne forces will execute their missions.
In addition, the Air Force plans to incorporate hybrid warfare training into this exercise, providing education on physical and non-physical warfare methods. This reflects the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare. After assembling at Cheongju Air Base, personnel attend classroom sessions where U.S. experts teach hybrid warfare procedures. Mission planning teams will use this knowledge to identify support elements, analyze enemy threats, and develop appropriate countermeasures.
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