South Korea’s Air Force Headquarters and U.S. F-35 Joint Program Office Hold First In-Person Working Group Meeting

South Korea and the United States Air Forces held a Working Group meeting to discuss and enhance cooperation on special security tasks for the F-35A stealth fighter, considered one of the most influential game changers against North Korea.

The Air Force Headquarters’ Intelligence and Operations Directorate and the U.S. F-35 Joint Program Office organized the F-35A Special Security Working Group Meeting from November 12 to 13 at Cheongju Air Base, where the F-35A operates. Special security officers from both countries attended the meeting.

On the South Korean side, participants included the head of the Air Force Headquarters’ Weapons System Special Security Team, the F-35A security officer from the 17th Fighter Wing, and the F-35A project manager from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The U.S. delegation consisted of over 30 personnel, including international security officers and technical security support teams, and the F-35 program manager for Korea.

This was the first time that South Korean and U.S. F-35A special security officers held an in-person meeting since South Korea began operating the F-35A in 2019. Previously, communication had been conducted remotely.

The meeting aimed to develop further special security tasks for advanced weapon systems and technology protection based on the operational experience the South Korean Air Force has accumulated with the F-35A.

The special security officers from both countries shared updates and key issues related to F-35A security and held presentations and discussions on facility, personnel, and cybersecurity topics. In particular, South Korean Air Force officers closely examined the U.S. side’s security protocols and procedures for the F-35 program. South Korea plans to continue cooperating with the U.S. special security officers, who have extensive experience in protecting advanced weapon systems, to improve its special security management strategies.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Ji Min, head of the Weapon Systems Special Security Team, stated, “Through regular communication between South Korean and U.S. special security officers, we will continue to develop the best possible special security posture.”