United States Air Force in South Korea - Overview

Overview

The mission of Seventh Air Force is to plan, direct, and conduct combined air operations in the Republic of Korea and in the Northwest Pacific in support of PACAF, the United States Pacific Command, United Nations Command, US-ROK Combined Forces Command, and US Forces Korea.

Currently, Seventh Air Force provides command and control to two Wings based permanently in South Korea:

• 8th Fighter Wing, stationed at Kunsan Air Base.

The 8th Fighter Wing is made up of two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadrons, the 35th Fighter Squadron, and the 80th Fighter Squadron.

• 51st Fighter Wing, stationed at Osan Air Base.

As the most forward deployed permanently based wing in the Air Force, the 51st Fighter Wing is charged with providing mission ready Airmen to execute combat operations and receive follow-on forces. The wing is equipped with 24 PAA, F-16 and A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons, along with a C-12 Huron airlift flight and a myriad of base support agencies conducts the full spectrum of missions providing for the defense of the Republic of Korea.